Green solutions for a changing climate

­The 11th edition of Eco Expo Asia — International Trade Fair on Environmental Protection will run from 26–29 October 2016 at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo. This year’s expo will open with the new theme ‘Green solutions for a changing climate’ and includes an exhibition of green solutions to help governments and industry achieve their sustainability goals.

With commitment to the Paris Agreement, world governments have set ambitious emission reduction targets that give impetus to environmental protection. The Chinese mainland and other countries in Asia are not only rolling out measures to cope with climate change, but are also taking aggressive actions to manage waste problems and to reduce the reliance on non-fossil fuels.

The Chinese mainland pledged to drastically reduce carbon emissions and increase its clean energy ratio in its 13th Five-Year Plan. The country’s cumulative investment in non-fossil fuels and low-carbon technologies is forecast to exceed US$6.26 trillion by 2030. The Belt and Road Initiative will also bring about new green solutions that will help the Chinese mainland meet its environmental goals as it deepens trade ties with 64 countries.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong also aims to tackle its long-standing waste problems and surging energy consumption. Apart from dedicating a US$129 million recycling fund to cut waste, Hong Kong is also determined to reduce energy intensity by 40% by 2025 in the city’s first Energy Saving Plan. Some of the measures include implementing higher green building standards, using sustainable building technologies and launching energy-saving measures.

Mr Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government, said: “We see Eco Expo Asia as an effective platform for Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and other regions to cooperate and work towards achieving the common goal of promoting environmental protection.”

The fair will again feature a Theme Day concept in which each day will be complemented by corresponding business events, conferences and workshops on a specific topic. The concept aims to highlight related products and solutions to facilitate effective sourcing. The themes to be covered this year include:

• 26 Oct: Global Innovations for Climate Change
• 27 Oct: Waste Management
• 28 Oct: Sustainable Energies and Buildings
• 29 Oct: Green Living

Companies showcasing their latest climate management solutions at this year’s expo include: DELABIE and Environnement S.A from France, FSE Environmental Technologies Group Limited, REC Green Technologies, Robin Energy and The China Engineers from Hong Kong as well as SK Kaken from Japan. ALBA Integrated Waste Solutions from Germany, Baguio from Hong Kong, Donasonic from the UK and Envac from Sweden will demonstrate their expertise in waste management. The fair also marks the debut of the Finland Pavilion and the return of the Switzerland Pavilion. The Canada Pavilion, led by Government of Ontario and Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong, will again gather a group of green-tech companies to unveil their innovations at the 2016 edition. A regular exhibitor, China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection (Hong Kong) Investment Co Ltd, will return to the fair again. This year, it aims to give a more comprehensive demonstration of its environmental technologies as well as its achievements in solid waste management.

The event is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and co-organised by the Environment Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

What: Eco Expo Asia

Where: AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

When: 26–29 October 2016

Web: www.ecoexpoasia.com