对地球许下承诺

中大订立2038年实现碳中和目标

# 碳中和

# 大学社会责任

# 中大2038碳中和

李凯琪

现时全球温度已

上升了摄氏1.1至1.2度

，若能把温度升幅限制于

摄氏1.5度內

，人类仍能把握最后机会挽救地球

化石燃料成就了人类现代生活和文明，但它既是福，也是祸。化石燃料提供方便廉价的能源，促成超乎想像的科技、社会及经济发展。在进步与现代建设的繁华背后，燃烧煤、石油和天然气的过程中释出二氧化碳和其他温室气体，造成环境污染，依赖化石燃料更启动了气候变化的恶性循环，酿成全球增温、旱灾、水灾及极端天气等问题。与前工业化时期相比，现时全球温度已上升了摄氏1.1至1.2度，若能把温度升幅限制于摄氏1.5度内，人类仍能把握最后机会挽救地球，此为2015年多国于巴黎订立的环保目标，并在去年于格拉斯哥气候峰会上首次确认其可行性。然而，把全球温度升幅限制于摄氏1.5度内，意味着人类需要在本世纪中叶前，完全终止由工业、农业及伐林过程所产生的化石燃料碳排放。

有见及此，香港政府跟世界各地政府一样，承诺于2050年达至「碳中和」，同时设立多项中期目标，以确保减碳进度良好。跟所有气候相关词汇一样，「碳中和」的意思需细细解释：「碳」在元素周期表中排行第六，是人类、动植物和土壤的组成部件，但「碳中和」中的「碳」指的是主要温室气体二氧化碳，亦可扩大至所有温室气体，例如由畜牧及钻油活动产生的甲烷；「中和」则表示人类几乎没有排放任何温室气体，方法包括减少排放、透过植树和保育自然生态移除空气中的温室气体，或投资和参与减排活动以抵销排放等。

中大支持香港政府于2050年前实现碳中和的计划，并承诺校园于2038年达至碳中和

香港中文大学深明气候危机乃当务之急，补救行动刻不容缓，故订立目标于2038年前实现校园碳中和。鉴于二氧化碳可停留在大气中约一百年，我们必须赶及于2050年前达至碳中和，才能确保地球的温度升幅能保持在摄氏1.5度这条警界线内。在2020至21年度，大学排放了39,494公吨碳当量，较上年度下降了26.7%，跌幅或与因应疫情而停止面授课堂有关，但仍然值得鼓舞，我们将持之以恒，且有信心实现减碳目标。事实上，中大多年来已推行不少减碳策略，例如「绿色办公室计划」、2014年起推行的「节约能源奖励计划」及2020年起推行的「能源效益资助计划」，在节约用电及减少碳排放方面均取得显著成效。

中大是香港校园面积最大的高等学府，校园依山而建，坐拥吐露港胜景，也是许多动植物的栖息地。中大员生极为珍视这片冠绝香港的优美校园，积极参与保育环境的工作。每天，中大自然环境都散发着可持续发展的气息，中大员生非常乐意宣扬绿色生活的重要性，从爱护动物到自备水壸及餐具，以至建立步行习惯取代乘搭校巴，都是要为环保出一分力。中大「可持续发展目标行动资助计划」鼓励热衷环保的员生发挥创意，资助他们透过新颖而有意义的方式推动联合国可持续发展目标，活动形式层出不穷，包括探索街市的可行减塑锦囊，举办各式各样的升级再造工作坊，以及推广结合「捡垃圾」（picking up litter）和「慢跑」（jogging）的新兴活动「环保慢跑」（plogging）。中大关注可持续发展，我们定当在各个运作范畴施行环保策略，期望从大学出发，推动大众作出态度及行为上的转变。我们乐于与公众携手合作，解决气候危机，拯救濒危的地球。

赛马会气候变化博物馆的气候教育

中大学生社创团队180DC@CUHK为同学举办升级再造工作坊

由现在起到2038年，我们可如何达至碳中和？首先，必须减少使用化石燃料。中大陆续引入电动车，增设电动车充电设施，更扩大可再生能源的应用，安装太阳能发电系统。中大建筑物的设计符合环保原则，采用自然光及自然通风，加上大学致力完善贯穿校园的步行设施，都有助减低能源消耗，鼓励大学员生及访客养成低碳生活的习惯。此外，我们于建筑物外围栽种植物及绿化天台，植物能吸收及储存二氧化碳，亦帮助降温。我们亦会继续推广绿色办公室措施，进一步减少排放，提升能源效益。我们近期委托了顾问公司，制定中大实现碳中和的路线图。赛马会气候变化博物馆及联合国可持续发展解决方案网络香港地区分会（「SDSN香港」）亦将全力支持大学的气候行动。

针对源头停止污染是达至净零碳排最有效的方法，可惜的是，这并非经常可行。中大在履行使命时，各式作业造成的碳排放乃无可避免，我们决心以其他方法弥补，例如以植树来增加碳吸收，及实施更多行之有效且富有意义的除碳策略。大自然赠予人类无价之宝，不问回报。我们是时候对自然致敬，回馈万物。

Amy Li is an editor in the Communications and Public Relations Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

李凯琪为香港中文大学传讯及公共关系处编辑

未来在你我手中

戴沛权教授细说由下而上的可持续发展与环境教育

對地球許下承諾

中大訂立2038年實現碳中和目標

# 碳中和

# 大學社會責任

# 中大2038碳中和

李凱琪

現時全球溫度已

上升了攝氏 1.1至1.2度

，若能把溫度升幅限制於

攝氏1.5度內

，人類仍能把握最後機會挽救地球

化石燃料成就了人類現代生活和文明，但它既是福，也是禍。化石燃料提供方便廉價的能源，促成超乎想像的科技、社會及經濟發展。在進步與現代建設的繁華背後，燃燒煤、石油和天然氣的過程中釋出二氧化碳和其他溫室氣體，造成環境污染，依賴化石燃料更啟動了氣候變化的惡性循環，釀成全球增溫、旱災、水災及極端天氣等問題。與前工業化時期相比，現時全球溫度已上升了攝氏1.1至1.2度，若能把溫度升幅限制於攝氏1.5度內，人類仍能把握最後機會挽救地球，此為2015年多國於巴黎訂立的環保目標，並在去年於格拉斯哥氣候峰會上首次確認其可行性。然而，把全球溫度升幅限制於攝氏1.5度內，意味著人類需要在本世紀中葉前，完全終止由工業、農業及伐林過程所產生的化石燃料碳排放。

有見及此，香港政府跟世界各地政府一樣，承諾於2050年達至「碳中和」，同時設立多項中期目標，以確保減碳進度良好。跟所有氣候相關詞彙一樣，「碳中和」的意思需細細解釋：「碳」在元素週期表中排行第六，是人類、動植物和土壤的組成部件，但「碳中和」中的「碳」指的是主要溫室氣體二氧化碳，亦可擴大至所有溫室氣體，例如由畜牧及鑽油活動產生的甲烷；「中和」則表示人類幾乎沒有排放任何溫室氣體，方法包括減少排放、透過植樹和保育自然生態移除空氣中的溫室氣體，或投資和參與減排活動以抵銷排放等。

中大支持香港政府於2050年前實現碳中和的計劃，並承諾校園於2038年達至碳中和

香港中文大學深明氣候危機乃當務之急，補救行動刻不容緩，故訂立目標於2038年前實現校園碳中和。鑒於二氧化碳可停留在大氣中約一百年，我們必須趕及於2050年前達至碳中和，才能確保地球的溫度升幅能保持在攝氏1.5度這條警界線內。在2020至21年度，大學排放了39,494公噸碳當量，較上年度下降了26.7%，跌幅或與因應疫情而停止面授課堂有關，但仍然值得鼓舞，我們將持之以恆，且有信心實現減碳目標。事實上，中大多年來已推行不少減碳策略，例如「綠色辦公室計劃」、2014年起推行的「節約能源獎勵計劃」及2020年起推行的「能源效益資助計劃」，在節約用電及減少碳排放方面均取得顯著成效。

中大是香港校園面積最大的高等學府，校園依山而建，坐擁吐露港勝景，也是許多動植物的棲息地。中大員生極為珍視這片冠絕香港的優美校園，積極參與保育環境的工作。每天，中大自然環境都散發着可持續發展的氣息，中大員生非常樂意宣揚綠色生活的重要性，從愛護動物到自備水壼及餐具，以至建立步行習慣取代乘搭校巴，都是要為環保出一分力。中大「可持續發展目標行動資助計劃」鼓勵熱衷環保的員生發揮創意，資助他們透過新穎而有意義的方式推動聯合國可持續發展目標，活動形式層出不窮，包括探索街市的可行減塑錦囊，舉辦各式各樣的升級再造工作坊，以及推廣結合「撿垃圾」（picking up litter）和「慢跑」（jogging）的新興活動「環保慢跑」（plogging）。中大關注可持續發展，我們定當在各個運作範疇施行環保策略，期望從大學出發，推動大眾作出態度及行為上的轉變。我們樂於與公眾攜手合作，解決氣候危機，拯救瀕危的地球。

賽馬會氣候變化博物館的氣候教育

中大學生社創團隊180DC@CUHK為同學舉辦升級再造工作坊

由現在起到2038年，我們可如何達至碳中和？首先，必須減少使用化石燃料。中大陸續引入電動車，增設電動車充電設施，更擴大可再生能源的應用，安裝太陽能發電系統。中大建築物的設計符合環保原則，採用自然光及自然通風，加上大學致力完善貫穿校園的步行設施，都有助減低能源消耗，鼓勵大學員生及訪客養成低碳生活的習慣。此外，我們於建築物外圍栽種植物及綠化天台，植物能吸收及儲存二氧化碳，亦幫助降溫。我們亦會繼續推廣綠色辦公室措施，進一步減少排放，提升能源效益。我們近期委託了顧問公司，制定中大實現碳中和的路線圖。賽馬會氣候變化博物館及聯合國可持續發展解決方案網絡香港地區分會（「SDSN香港」）亦將全力支持大學的氣候行動。

針對源頭停止污染是達至淨零碳排最有效的方法，可惜的是，這並非經常可行。中大在履行使命時，各式作業造成的碳排放乃無可避免，我們決心以其他方法彌補，例如以植樹來增加碳吸收，及實施更多行之有效且富有意義的除碳策略。大自然贈予人類無價之寶，不問回報。我們是時候對自然致敬，回饋萬物。

Amy Li is an editor in the Communications and Public Relations Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

李凱琪為香港中文大學傳訊及公共關係處編輯

未來在你我手中

戴沛權教授細說由下而上的可持續發展與環境教育

Our Pledge to Mother Earth

CUHK commits to carbon neutrality by 2038

# CarbonNeutrality

# UniversitySocialResponsibility

# CUHKCarbonNeutral2038

Amy Li

We live in a world whose temperatures have already

risen by 1.1-1.2°C

above pre-industrial levels. We still have a chance
of salvaging our future if we manage to prevent temperatures from rising above

1.5°C

Fossil fuels, on which our modern life and civilisation is built, have proved to be both a blessing and a curse. They have given us cheap, easy-to-access energy and driven technological, social and economic advances that previous generations could scarcely have imagined. But although coal, oil and gas have brought us prosperity and modern amenities, they have also polluted our environment, through the release of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the air. Our reliance on fossil fuels has initiated a terrible cycle of climate change, characterised by global warming, droughts, floods and extreme weather events. We live in a world whose temperatures have already risen by 1.1–1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. We still have a chance of salvaging our future if we manage to prevent temperatures from rising above 1.5°C—a goal agreed internationally in 2015 in Paris and first projected to be viable at last year’s Glasgow climate conference. However, keeping below this 1.5°C threshold means a complete end to fossil fuel emissions—whether from industrial processes, agriculture, or deforestation—by the middle of this century.

Like most other governments around the world, the HKSAR Government has pledged to reach ‘carbon neutrality’ by 2050, and has set a series of intermediate targets to meet to make sure we make good progress. ‘Carbon neutrality’, like all climate terms, needs a word or two of explanation. Carbon is a chemical element which ranks sixth in the periodic table, and its molecules are building blocks for humans, animals, trees and soil. ‘Carbon’ here stands for carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas and, in an expanded fashion, all the greenhouse gases such as methane, produced by animal farming and oil drilling. ‘Neutrality’ refers to that blessed state in which we emit virtually no greenhouse gases—either by cutting emissions, removing them from the air by planting trees and preserving nature reserves, or by offsetting them through investing or engaging in emission cutting activities elsewhere.

CUHK supports the HKSAR Government’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and pledged to become carbon neutral by 2038

At CUHK we are deeply aware of the climate emergency, and have no intention of waiting on events. We have already pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038. As carbon dioxide has a lifespan of about a century in the atmosphere, we have to reach carbon neutrality well before 2050 to guarantee that our planet remains below the critical 1.5°C. In 2020/21, the University released the equivalent of 39,494 tonnes of carbon, down 26.7% from the previous year. The reduction was probably influenced by the pandemic lockdown, but is an encouraging figure all the same. We are determined to keep up the good work. We are confident that we will be successful, as the Green Office Programme and the Energy Conservation Incentive Scheme and Energy Efficiency Implementation Fund—funding schemes which were introduced in 2014 and 2020 respectively—have enabled us to make significant electricity and emission cuts during recent years.

CUHK has the largest university campus in Hong Kong. Situated on a tree-clad promontory overlooking Tolo Harbour, this campus boasts an impressive variety of plants, animals and insects. Our staff and students, who are privileged to work in one of the most attractive university environments in Hong Kong, have every incentive to care for their environment. Every day, the University’s beautiful natural setting preaches a sermon on the virtues of sustainability. In many different ways—protecting the animals, bringing their own bottles and cutlery, walking around the campus instead of taking buses—our staff and students are doing their bit to instil a greater awareness of the importance of greenness. The Sustainable Development Goals Action Fund bears witness to their efforts. Staff and students have thought up creative new ways of promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, ranging from trips to wet markets to explore how to reduce the use of plastic bags, to upcycling workshops, to the recent craze for ‘plogging’ (picking up litter and jogging). As a university that serves and shares in the agendas, concerns and passions of the day, we have an obligation to green our operations and to drive social, attitudinal and behavioural changes. We consider it our responsibility to work with members of the public to resolve the climate crisis and restore the health of our planet.

Climate education at the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change

CUHK students participating in an upcycling workshop by a student-run startup, 180DC@CUHK

Between now and 2038, how shall we go about reaching carbon neutrality? Firstly and most importantly, we are cutting back on our reliance on fossil fuels, through electrifying our campus transport and enhancing our electric vehicle charging facilities. We will apply renewable energies, such as solar power systems, more widely. By sticking with our green building practices—use of natural light and ventilation and maintaining immense connectivity that makes for walking, we will both lower our energy consumption and help to instil low carbon habits in university members and visitors. Conservation of plants and the greening of building envelopes and rooftops soak up and store carbon, while also keeping the heat down. Our green office initiatives will be taken even further in the near future. We intend to further cut emissions and improve the efficiency of every joule we use. We have recently commissioned a consultancy study to develop a road map to carbon neutrality. The Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change and the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Hong Kong) are giving us their full backing.

Ideally, we need to achieve net zero emissions by stopping pollution at source. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Accordingly, where we cannot reduce emissions because they are generated by activities which are indispensable to the University’s mission, we are determined to compensate in other ways. We can reduce our carbon uptake by planting more trees, for example, and offset some of our unavoidable emissions by engaging in proven, meaningful carbon removal initiatives. Throughout history, nature has rewarded us with her bounty. It is now time for us to repay the compliment.

Amy Li is an editor in the Communications and Public Relations Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

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