Environmental NGO Greenpeace has called for stronger climate initiatives after Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee outlined plans to fast-track a widely criticised development project in the city’s northern region in this year’s Policy Address.
In a Chinese-language statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Greenpeace criticised Lee for failing to mention climate adaptation or waste reduction at source. Instead, the Policy Address emphasized promoting ecotourism and vigorously advancing the Northern Metropolis development plan.
Greenpeace stressed the necessity of carefully examining conservation efforts to collaboratively build a sustainable future. The statement was issued hours after Lee delivered his annual Policy Address, which outlines the government’s plans for the coming years.
### Northern Metropolis Development Plan
Among the key highlights of the address was the acceleration of the Northern Metropolis development, a vast area near Hong Kong’s border with mainland China. Authorities intend to transform the area into a technological hub, creating homes and jobs for many residents.
Lee expressed deep concern about the project’s progress and announced he would chair a new committee tasked with streamlining administrative workflows and eliminating unnecessary barriers and restrictions.
### Concerns Over Environmental Impact
Greenpeace also commented on Lee’s mention of the Four Peaks project, a tourism initiative aimed at promoting the Peak, Lantau Peak, Sai Kung Hoi, and Tai Mo Shan. Citing its research, the NGO warned that large wetlands areas would be harmed by redevelopment activities.
The group criticised the Policy Address for focusing heavily on infrastructure development without adequate consideration of the environment’s carrying capacity. Greenpeace expressed worry that expanding country parks might lead to the destruction of Hong Kong’s natural landscapes.
The organisation urged the government to establish a credible carbon neutrality roadmap in response to the growing threat of climate change, highlighting the city’s experience of four black rainstorm warnings in the past month alone.
### Clean Air Network’s Response
The Clean Air Network (CAN) welcomed certain initiatives, such as plans to build electric vehicle charging stations and explore green shipping fuels. However, CAN called for more comprehensive measures addressing air pollution and green transport.
### Social Concerns Raised by SoCO
The Society for Community Organisation (SoCO), an NGO advocating for the underprivileged, acknowledged the government’s commitment to improving livelihoods. Yet, it criticised the Policy Address for insufficient attention to pressing issues like living conditions in subdivided flats and challenges faced by caregivers.
### New Civil Servant Accountability System
In the Legislative Council, which is opposition-free, lawmakers praised the Policy Address for comprehensively targeting livelihood and economic concerns. Many welcomed the streamlined development approach for the Northern Metropolis.
Among the new policies introduced was a civil servant accountability mechanism that enables reprimands, salary cuts, and dismissals for departmental heads in cases of underperformance, misconduct, or deficiencies.
New People’s Party (NPP) Chairperson Regina Ip voiced strong support for the measure. “The current accountability system is complicated, and employees are only responsible for criminal matters or misconduct,” she said. “With this new mechanism, department heads’ sense of responsibility over operations will be enhanced.”
### Pet-Friendly Policy Measures
NPP lawmaker Judy Chan endorsed a new initiative allowing restaurants to apply for licences to permit dogs on their premises. She suggested this could pave the way for a range of pet-related businesses, including outlets selling pet healthcare products and services like pet massages, which in turn could boost employment.
“There are many pet owners with high consumption power who do not travel to the mainland on weekends,” Chan noted.
### Positive Reception from Pro-Business Lawmakers
Lawmakers from the pro-business Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA) awarded the Policy Address a rating exceeding 90 points. BPA Chairperson Lo Wai-kwok noted that the government had adopted 90 percent of the party’s suggestions.
BPA lawmaker Jeffrey Lam expressed satisfaction with plans to develop Hong Kong’s yacht economy. During the address, Lee announced initiatives to promote yacht tourism by increasing yacht berths and allowing yachts to anchor at government-designated waters, rather than only in yacht clubs or piers.
Lam highlighted the potential of this measure to enhance high-end tourism and inject new vitality into the sector, complementing his earlier Legislative Council proposals on island hopping.
### Looking Ahead
Wednesday’s Policy Address marked John Lee’s fourth in office since being elected unopposed in a small-circle election in 2022. At the start of his speech, Lee described the address as “a roadmap for Hong Kong to strive for a vibrant economy, pursue development, and improve people’s livelihood.”
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