After COP21: Global Problems, Local Solutions

Details

The agreement of the parties of the UN Climate change Conference COP21 in December 2015 in Paris set ambitious goals in greenhouse gas emissions (GHC) reduction. Experts agree that a bottom-up approach is very much needed to engage local political decision makers, business and civil society in finding innovative solutions for a low-carbon economy. Based on the successful experience with a 2015 simulation game on COP21 KAS Regional Project Energy Security and Climate Change in Asia and Pacific continues its cooperation with the Hong Kong America Center of the Chinese University Hong Kong in organizing a second workshop of that kind on 9/10 April 2016.

The participants will deal with concrete questions concerning new ways of achieving climate protection goals in urban areas. On day 1 experts will provide background knowledge on urban climate changes politics with a focus on renewable energies in Hong Kong and other Asian cities. Presentations on energy policy of mainland Chinese cities and experiences from Germany, a pioneer in energy transition ("Energiewende"), add further aspects.

Students` workgroups will then discuss specific measurements to lower the emission of greenhouse gases in urban areas:

• Reform of traffic systems as one of the main energy consumers in cities
• Energy efficient urban construction and the current regulatory situation in Hong Kong.
• The expansion of renewable energies in densely populated area like Hong Kong
• The potential of improving air quality in Hong Kong.

Each working group will be assisted by experts of the respective sector. On the second day, the teams will draft a short report on their concepts and suggestions. The results will serve as a basis for a joint paper which shall be handed over to the Environment Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government.