Civic Exchange

Public Opinion Survey Report Released: "Expanding Hong Kong's Nuclear Power Base"
17 December, 2010

Conducted by the Hong Kong Transition Project ("HKTP") on behalf of Civic Exchange, the survey serves as a supplement to an earlier public opinion survey HKTP completed on behalf of Civic Exchange in July 2010 on Hong Kong people’s attitudes to climate change. The supplementary survey sought to explore the public's attitudes toward Government's proposal of expanding the nuclear power base as part of its Climate Strategy and Action Agenda.

Key findings showed that the public was more concerned about climate change than nuclear accidents. However, there is still a need for the government to effectively communicate the benefits of its fuel mix proposal, help the public to understand nuclear power, as well as address public concerns on the issues of information transparency, management and safety protocols.

Public Opinion Survey Report Released: "Less Talk, More Action"
1 December, 2010

Civic Exchange released a public opinion survey entitled “Less Talk, More Action”. The survey shows that one in four people are considering leaving Hong Kong in response to the public health threats of the region’s air pollution, up from one in five in December 2008, when a similar survey was conducted.

Click for the full report, summary (English only), press release (English only), presentation (English only), and links to media coverage.

Research Report Released: "Rich Delta, Costly Flooding"
30 November, 2010

Co-authored by Civic Exchange and scholars at the University of Leeds, UK, “Rich Delta, Costly Flooding” investigates the flood problem in the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong. The report shows that Hong Kong has not spent enough time to consider better flood management. This is an important part of climate adaptation, and should be a part of the government’s climate change consultation process.

Click for the full report (English only), press release, presentation (English only), and links to media coverage.

Comprising of two sessions, the event will focus on the results and the behind-the-scenes activities of the UNFCCC's Conference of the Parties (COP 16) in Cancun in December, and look forward to the next stpes from now until Durban (COP 17). Speakers draw from business experts who attended the negotiations and Hong Kong experts on climate policy issues. The event is jointly organized by Business Environment Council, British Consulate-General Hong Kong, The Climate Group, Civic Exchange, and Climate Change Business Forum.

Click to view the flyer for the event.
Admissions is free, please email ccbf@bec.org.hk for registration.

Hosted by The Society for Protection of the Harbour, ”The Future of Victoria Harbour” aimed to involve the community in planning the future of our harbour so that there will be close cooperation between public interest, private interest and government interest. Ms. Christine Loh moderated the forum for engaging discussions.

Mrs. Carrie Lam, J.P. (Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government) delivered the keynote speech on government’s policy with regard to future development in the harbour. Panelists who are land and urban planning designers/consultants explained their vision of the future of the harbour and harbourfront and the implementation of their vision.

Click here for more information on the event.

Over the four-day conference, there were about 1,600 delegates, 32 supporting organizations, 5 media partners and 9 special contributors, whose support was invaluable. About 30 side-events were organized by the supporting organizations with over 2,200 attendees.

We have uploaded conference materials to the website at http://climate.dialogue.org.hk. Please go to the “Speakers” and “Resources” sections for speakers presentations, video excerpts of all presentations, and a selection of event photos. The events were reported for Chinese audience by Tencent who has made available highlights and video excerpts with Chinese voice-over at this link: http://news.qq.com/zt2010/climatehk.

A Submission on Hong Kong's Climate Change Strategy and Action Agenda
17 December, 2010

Civic Exchange responded to the Government’s “Climate Change Strategy and Action Agenda”. The submission also includes relevant findings from the newly released public opinion survey "Expanding Hong Kong's Nuclear Power Base" noted above.

Civic Exchange identified the core requirement of a Sustainable Low Carbon Development (SLCD) framework for Hong Kong to address climate change. The SLCD framework should be built upon a clear vision and roadmap and with a focus on measurable and transparent reductions of GHG emissions. Civic Exchange put forth its view of the Government’s proposed fuel mix change, what it needs to do in light of public views relating to taking more nuclear power from the mainland, energy efficiency of buildings, and adaptation measures.

Click for the English press release and Chinese press release.
Click to download the submission (English only).
 

Submission to Development Bureau (Urban Renewal Unit)
13 December, 2010

Civic Exchange submitted its response to the draft text of the revised Urban Renewal Strategy.

Click to download the submission (English only).
 

Budget Consultation
20 November, 2010

Civic Exchange presented its views on the Budget 2011 to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, and suggested 7 budgetary initiatives to respond to the inadequacy of policy we noted.

Click to download the submission (English only).

• 3 December, 2010 - Breathe in, then out
• 17 December, 2010 - The spirit of giving

• 7 December, 2010 - Clarifying coastal line rights
• 20 December, 2010 - On buildings (coming soon)