WWF has calculated that each person in Hong Kong has an average carbon footprint of 13.44 tonnes – double the official estimate.

 

Based in data from its carbon footprint calculator climteers.org set up three years ago, it says the primary source of emissions is air travel (55.44%), followed by local transport (13.27%) and household activities (11.2%).

 

Since it was installed, 5,855 Hong Kong people have used the calculator – the only Hong Kong-specific carbon measurement tool - to tally their personal carbon emissions.

 

The results shows that individual carbon footprints grow with age and also indicate major differences according to district and occupation, said William Yu, head of WWF-Hong Kong’s Climate Team. 

 

Those in the marketing, advertising and public relations industries have the highest carbon footprint, three times more than students, while residents of Hong Kong Central and Western districts generated seven times more emissions than those living in Wong Tai Sin.

 

Yu said the findings would be a valuable reference for formulating effective carbon reduction policy for Hong Kong.

 

“The average carbon emissions indicated by our carbon calculator is higher than the 6.7 tonnes announced by the Hong Kong Government, mainly because the government’s calculations do not include air travel,” he said.

 

“To effectively promote low-carbon living in Hong Kong, we must get the full picture of Hong Kong’s carbon footprint data, otherwise we will miss a golden opportunity to reduce Hong Kong emissions.”

In order for individuals to cut down their carbon footprint, WWF-Hong Kong suggests reducing the number of long-haul flights, or by choosing low-carbon modes of transportation such as trains.

 

Companies should make use of video-conferencing as a way to decrease the amount of business air travel, Yu added.