Half of Hong Kong’s government departments and public bodies have not disclosed their greenhouse gas emissions data and some calculations have been based on outdated information, a green group has found.
The findings from The Green Earth have prompted calls for stronger carbon reporting and the setting of reduction targets across the public sector to align with the city’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality before 2050.
The non-profit group’s study of 82 public entities found that while 41 published emissions data, about eight entities relied on an outdated emission factor.
An emission factor is a standard multiplier used to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas generated from an activity.
The city’s two utility providers, CLP Power and HK Electric, each publish their own emission factors, which are adjusted with changes in the energy mix.
Using outdated factors could lead to overestimated emission reductions, said Steven Chan Wing-kit, the green group’s assistant environmental affairs manager.