釋放循環經濟的社會包容潛力

什麼是循環經濟？

根據聯合國開發計劃署(UNDP)，我們目前的線性經濟模式是建立在「獲取-製造-處置」的模式之上的，即從自然界中提取原材料，轉化為產品，然後作為廢物丟棄。這種模式給環境帶來了沉重的負擔，加劇了氣候變化、生物多樣性喪失和污染等危機。

相比之下，循環經濟的目標是通過更智慧的設計、延長使用時間和回收利用等方式，最大限度地減少浪費，促進自然資源的可持續利用和再生。這不僅有助於解決污染問題，還可以在應對氣候變化和生物多樣性喪失等其他複雜挑戰方面發揮關鍵作用。

值得一提的是，循環經濟不僅關注環境和經濟層面，還需要重視社會層面。它涉及解決社會不平等問題，促進社會福祉，確保所有人都能分享循環經濟的好處。

循環經濟的就業機會

循環經濟的轉型為我們帶來了巨大的就業創造機會。據歐盟委員會(European Commission) 2020 年的預測，到 2030 年，歐盟在這一過渡過程中將增加約 70 萬個工作崗位。而在全球範圍內，轉變到循環模式可能會帶來 700-800 萬個凈就業增長。

這種就業增長源自循環經濟所需的各種技能，從低技能的回收和再利用工作，到中高技能的再製造和生物精煉崗位。然而,這種轉型也將導致一些傳統行業如建築和原材料部門的失業。因此，我們需要為受影響的工人提供再培訓和重新分配，以適應不斷變化的就業市場。

舉個例子，荷蘭的「維修咖啡館」 (Repair Cafés) 就是一個基層倡議，旨在促進當地社區的維修和再利用文化。它們提供了一個空間，讓人們可以免費維修損壞的家居用品。這不僅有助於將廢物從垃圾填埋場轉移出來，減少對新產品和原材料的需求，還創造了就業機會，增加了社會包容性和凝聚力。

循環轉型的包容性與參與性

在向循環經濟過渡的過程中，確保公平和公正是至關重要的。

包容性獲取: 確保所有社會經濟階層都能公平獲得循環產品、服務和利益。這包括為低收入社區提供可負擔的維修、再利用和回收機會。同時，我們需要設計滿足不同使用者需求的循環解決方案。

包容性參與: 為邊緣化群體提供參與循環經濟計劃的機會，是至關重要的。這包括︰提供技能發展和就業創造計劃，支持傳統工人向綠色行業轉型，確保循環轉型的利益和負擔能被公平分配，支持包容性的循環創業和中小企業。

比如對比迦納阿克拉 (Accra) 和巴西阿雷格裡港 (Porto Alegre) 兩個城市的非正規廢物管理，儘管背景不同，但拾荒者在實施廢物政策中扮演關鍵角色，體現了正式和非正式經濟部門的深度聯繫。

充分整合社會公平、包容和正義是釋放循環經濟真正變革潛力的關鍵。這可以創造更公平的機會獲取，為邊緣群體提供有尊嚴的生計，賦能失業工人迎接綠色就業，建立社區復原力，促進跨界別合作。通過將這些社會因素置於循環轉型的核心，轉型可以造福社會各界，而不僅僅是企業和環境。

Author: Mr. Lester Lam, Certified ESG Planner, ICSD

John Elkington's latest viewpoints on ESG

John Elkington's latest viewpoints on ESG

ICSD UK's market intelligence joined the University of Cambridge Alumni Festival on 27 September 2024.  John Elkington, who coined the term "Triple Bottom Line" and known as "a Godfather of Corporate Sustainability" spoke in the conference on the topics of the growing awareness of climate change and the responses from societies, governments, and businesses.  His latest viewpoints are summarised as follows:

• Elkington discussed the historical tension between environmental groups and businesses, mentioning how groups like Greenpeace initially resisted collaborating with corporations. He emphasised that while regulations are necessary, businesses need room for innovation and creativity to make meaningful changes. 
  

• He noted the radical shift in corporate engagement with sustainability over time, from initial resistance to now seeing companies like BP and ICI developing environmental policies. He highlighted the current trend of appointing Chief Sustainability Officers, many of whom are women, as a positive sign of progress. 
  

• Elkington talked about the cyclical nature of progress in the sustainability field, with periods of advancement followed by down waves. He suggested that these downturns should be seen as opportunities for reflection and improvement, rather than setbacks. 
  

• Elkington stressed the importance of international collaboration to address climate change but also recognised the challenges posed by differing political and economic interests. He warned that shifts in political leadership could hinder sustainability efforts, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. 
  

• He praised the role of youth movements, such as Greta Thunberg’s activism, but expressed concern about the potential for disillusionment if governments and businesses do not act swiftly enough. He predicted that future leadership will come from currently unknown individuals who may drive transformative change in the coming decades. 
  

• Elkington emphasised the role of China in driving technological change and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S. He also addressed the challenges of climate denial and the necessity of personal accountability for climate action. 

Hope you find these insightful.

Revolutionizing Green Mobility: Overcoming Challenges in EV Charging for Older Residential Buildings in Hong Kong

In the ever-evolving landscape of green smart cities, the focus on promoting alternative choices for green and smart mobility is paramount. With mobility being the second-largest contributor to global carbon emissions, it is crucial to embrace the innovation brought forth by companies like Tesla, as well as the fierce competition from emerging Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands such as BYD, Xiaomi, and others. Thanks to these advancements, EVs have transitioned from luxury goods to consumer goods, becoming more affordable for the masses.

The launch of the first registration tax (FRT) concessions for EVs has played a pivotal role in driving the adoption of electric private cars (e-PCs) in Hong Kong. The percentage of e-PCs among all newly registered private cars (PCs) has surged significantly, accounting for 6.3% in 2019 and an astonishing 52.8% by 2022, surpassing traditional fuel-powered vehicles. However, with such rapid growth in private EV ownership, reliance solely on public chargers is generally not preferred, as revealed by CBRE Research in February 2024[1].

As of March 2024, Hong Kong boasts approximately 87,900 EVs, while estimates suggest there are only 40,000 public and private EV chargers available[2]. Despite the government's EV subsidy scheme since the 2019 Policy Address, only 50 out of the approved 639 residential buildings have completed the installation of charging facilities so far[3]. The major challenge lies within existing residential buildings, particularly in older established districts, where communal electric power surplus is limited.

Addressing the unique needs and risks of older residential buildings necessitates more than just a charging solution—it requires deep expertise in building infrastructure. With most buildings in Hong Kong being high-rises and offering a comparatively limited number of parking spaces, the process becomes even more complex. These buildings often fall under third-party property management, requiring EV owners to seek consent from other owners for the installation of charging facilities at their parking spaces. Additionally, concerns about electricity supply and installation costs of charging infrastructure further complicate matters[4].

To navigate these challenges and obtain safe and efficient EV charging solutions that align with future technology, property managers and private EV owners must seek the assistance of experienced building professionals and alteration and addition experts. Their expertise is crucial in overcoming the hurdles posed by older residential buildings and ensuring compliance with evolving EV charging requirements.

However, it is important to acknowledge the limitation of the current EHSS scheme. While EHSS provides financial assistance for the installation of EV chargers in eligible private residential buildings, it does not offer a solution for residential buildings with no communal electric supply surplus. This limitation keeps these buildings away from the progress of greener smart city transformation, as they are unable to take advantage of the subsidy scheme.

For residential buildings without communal electric supply surplus, alternative solutions need to be explored. This may involve working with utility companies to enhance the electrical infrastructure or considering innovative approaches such as shared charging infrastructure or off-grid solutions. These alternative options require further research, collaboration, and government support to ensure that all residential buildings, regardless of their electrical supply limitations, can participate in the greener smart city transformation.

[1] Electric Vehicles and Real Estate: The Case of Hong Kong | CBRE Hong Kong

[2] Electric Vehicles and Real Estate: The Case of Hong Kong | CBRE Hong Kong

[3] LCQ2: EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme (info.gov.hk)

[4] EVRoadmapEng17_3.indd (eeb.gov.hk)

By embracing the collaboration between building professionals, property managers, and EV owners, Hong Kong can pave the way for a seamless transition to green and smart mobility within older residential buildings. This collective effort, along with the recognition of the limitations of existing schemes, will not only contribute to the overall sustainability and progress of the city but also drive the exploration and development of solutions to include all residential buildings in the greener smart city transformation. With the right expertise, partnerships, and government support, Hong Kong can lead the way in revolutionizing EV wall charging solutions for older residential buildings, creating a greener and more sustainable future for all.

Author: Ms. Carol Fung, Certified ESG Planner CEP®, focusing in sustainable communication, LinkedIn: Carol Fung | LinkedIn