Hong Kong Climate Forum 2025 Showcases AI’s Role in Carbon Neutrality and Green Innovation
Image Credit: Steven Pahel | Splash
The 2025 Hong Kong Climate Forum, held on March 24–25, emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in advancing Hong Kong’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Co-organized by the Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality (ICCN) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the event convened global leaders, scholars, and industry experts to explore AI-driven solutions for climate change mitigation.
AI-Powered Climate Solutions in Hong Kong
In his address, Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, underscored AI's pivotal role in the city's green transformation. He identified five key development areas: supercomputing capabilities, algorithms, data, capital, and talent. Chan highlighted AI's applications in optimizing energy production and consumption, enhancing climate modeling, and supporting green finance initiatives.
The "AI for Earth" panel, chaired by Professor Gong Peng of HKU, showcased the integration of AI with remote sensing and big data analytics to monitor urban development and map carbon emissions. These technologies provide policymakers and businesses with actionable insights to foster smarter, greener cities.
Hong Kong’s Carbon Neutrality Framework
Hong Kong is committed to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050, aligning with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The city's Climate Action Plan 2050 outlines four primary decarbonization strategies: net-zero electricity generation, energy-saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction. An interim target aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% before 2035, compared to 2005 levels.
According to the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Hong Kong's total greenhouse gas emissions decreased from a peak of 44.2 million tonnes of CO₂ - equivalent in 2014 to 33.5 million tonnes in 2022. Per capita emissions dropped to approximately 4.55 tonnes in 2022.
AI’s Impact and Environmental Trade-offs
AI technologies are instrumental in advancing Hong Kong's climate objectives. Machine learning models assist in predicting energy consumption patterns in buildings, contributing to the city's goals of reducing electricity usage in commercial and residential sectors. AI also enhances green finance by analyzing investment risks and utilizes satellite data to monitor urban heat islands and carbon sinks.
However, the energy-intensive nature of AI poses challenges. The International Energy Agency projects that global electricity consumption by data centers could more than double to approximately 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, with AI being a significant driver of this increase. In China, data centers are expected to consume around 400 TWh by 2030, accounting for about 3.7% of the country's total electricity demand. To mitigate these impacts, strategies such as improving energy efficiency and integrating renewable energy sources are being considered.
AI-Driven Climate Innovation and Partnerships
Building upon its inaugural event in 2024, the 2025 forum emphasized regional cooperation, particularly within the Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong plans to host additional AI-focused climate events and supports climate technology startups through initiatives like the Green and Sustainable Fintech Proof of Concept Subsidy Scheme. As a leading financial hub, Hong Kong is well-positioned to drive innovation in green technology and foster collaborations with neighboring regions.
Source: HKU, ScienMag, CLP, Data Centrer Dynamics, The Verge
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