Come and Discover Hong Kong's Ecological Footprint in 1997!


So, can you see how BIG the per capita Ecological Footprint of Hong Kong in 1997 is? Do you know how did we calculate this? Have you noticed any problems with the size of the Footprint? Do you know which sector of Hong Kong is most unsustainable (hint: compare the Footprint size with the fair share)?

So, what does HK's Ecological Footprint tell us?
Hong Kong's Energy Footprint was the least sustainable of all the sectors. In theory, we could offset Hong Kong's CO2 debt by planting 137,000 km2 of NEW forest - i.e. the size of 125 Hong Kong! So, what can Hong Kong do to reduce its footprint? One of the most promising option is the development of renewable energy like wind energy to power Hong Kong's economic development. Let's learn more about renewable energy.



Hong Kong was responsible for 0.2% of the world's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and a yearly cost of US$3,000,000,000 for damage from climate change (3% of GDP). This mainly comes from CO2 from local and indirect global fossil fuel use. This shows that Hong Kong ought to take its responsibility in reducing GHG emission through investing in renewable energy and in better demand side management.

The 1997 Footprint counted these GHG sources (in CO2 equivalent):
CO2 from local + indirect global fossil fuel use 87,805,344 mt
CO2/ CF4/ C2F6 from primary aluminum manufacture 942,510 mt
CO2 from lime + cement manufacture (fossil carbonate) 2,695,056 mt
Methane from rice paddies exporting to Hong Kong 10,743 mt
N2O from fertilizer applied to crops for Hong Kong 691,970 mt
Total HK GHG Emissions (in CO2 equivalent) 92,145,623 mt
Total World GHG Emissions (human) (in CO2 equivalent) 52,552,713,180 mt



Hong Kong's fossil fuel CO2 emissions are equal or greater than 52% of the countries that are Annex 1 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC ). These countries are setting targets for greenhouse gas reduction. Does Hong Kong has any targets or policy? No!



Hong Kong's Water Footprint was also unsustainable, in the sense that much of it is imported from other countries through cotton and paper production (27%) and food production (35%). Direct use only accounts for 6%. In view of this, Hong Kong cannot achieve its Water Fair Share without an international effort focused on water management in agriculture, raw materials and energy.



Hong Kong's overall Food Footprint exceeded the Fair Share by 33%, but a breakdown of the Footprint shows an interesting pattern. While the Land Food Footprint was in fact lower than the Land Food Fair Share, the Seafood Footprint exceeded the Seafood Fair Share by almost 200%. Thus, to achieve sustainable development, Hong Kong must develop more mari-culture based on feed from land sources in order to reduce its excess Seafood Footprint and utilize its Land Food Footprint.



The Material aspect of Hong Kong's 1997 Footprint was not a major problem but will become unsustainable if the present consumption pattern remains the same. Particularly when we consider that more and more materials are wasted in Hong Kong rather than recycled, resulting in more and more pressure on our landfills. If our 'waste' were to be incinerated, then the emitted dioxin and other pollutants will contaminate our land and pose long term health problems. Thus, in order to stay close to the Fair Share, Hong Kong needs to develop zero waste systems like a Carbohydrate Economy and Extended Product Responsibility.



Hong Kong's Urban Footprint is the only clearly sustainable part of its 1997 Footprint due to its high density development. This is a competitive advantage for Hong Kong's future. Yet the Western style car-based development is getting to Hong Kong through road-priority development (though the Transport Policy states that rail has the priority) and Hong Kong needs to reconsider its transport development to keep its low Urban Footprint.



The Footprint study shows that Hong Kong lacks a global perspective on the impacts of its investment and resource decisions because price signals do not reflect the total environmental cost of doing business. Thus, full environmental costs must be included in resource prices so that market signals match sustainable priorities. This "full costs" strategy, called "tax shift", is being achieved in other countries by raising taxes on "negative" resource flows (like carbon tax) and lowering taxes on income, which also promotes employment.
 
 
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When you order a take away,
bring your carrier or reusable container. This helps to reduce non-biodegradable styrofoam packaging.

Promote paperless office
Promote a paperless office by sending send emails instead of mail and link up your computer network, as this cuts
down on the need for printing jobs which will save paper. Reuse computer print-out paper as memo pads or telephone message pads.

Reduce Water Consumption
When brushing your teeth, use water in tumbler instead of from a running
tap. Take a shower instead of bathing
in a bathtub. Install a dual-action flush in your toilet to reduce
water consumption.

Say Yes to Public Transportation
Public transport can usually take more people at a time to their destinations,
which reduces your energy consumption. You can also consider
other means of transportation, such as a bicycle or simply go on foot if
possible.