Plenary Speakers

Mr Kam Sing WONG, GBS, JP

Former Secretary for the Environment,
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

Topic:
Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan and Innovations

Date: 6 July 2023
Time: 09:20 – 09:55

Abstract:
To combat climate change and tackle various environmental challenges, Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 was launched in October 2021. The plan should be read in conjunction with other relevant environmental blueprints including Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035, Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, and Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2035, which were also announced in 2021. The highlight of the updated climate action plan is its target and roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. The roadmap towards carbon neutrality embraces net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction. Moreover, the plan not only focuses on climate adaptation, resilience and mitigation strategies, but also integrates the urban solutions for better air quality and waste management etc. The plan also highlights various challenges and opportunities in the context of Hong Kong. The key challenges include cost of decarbonisation, space constraint, demand for talent and technology breakthrough etc. At the same time, there are various new opportunities. For instance, Hong Kong will develop strategic growth areas into carbon-neutral communities. From the development of carbon-neutral communities to the journey towards carbon neutrality in Hong Kong, the role of innovative technologies is evidently important. For our common future, the industry stakeholders and universities are encouraged to seize the opportunities and contribute to the making of a liveable, carbon-neutral urban environment in an integrated and innovative manner.

Prof. Guibin JIANG

Director
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Topic:
Integrated Toxicological Analyzer (ITA) & Environmental Risk Assessment

Date: 6 July 2023
Time: 10:15 – 10:50

Abstract:
The vast production and utilization of compounds have contributed to improving human welfare, yet they have also posed a significant threat to the ecological system and human health. In response to this challenge, risk assessment-based effect response is the perquisition to determine the emerging key toxicants. The Integrated Toxicological Analyzer (ITA) integrates several high-throughput techniques, performing high-coverage extraction, high-automation fractionation, high-sensitivity bioassays, high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis, and high-efficiency virtual filtering, enabling more efficient screening of causal toxic pollutants. The literature on EDA has expanded significantly, with numerous studies utilizing these techniques to identify causal toxicants.
The various high-automation fractionation strategies for the separation and preparation of sample extracts, High-sensitivity biological assays, classified into adverse outcome pathways, will be in-depth incorporated in ITA. The development of new bioassays based on can significantly enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying key toxicants. However, the toxicological screening scope is limited by utilizing only a few bioassays. To capture the effects of samples, multi-omics in ITA needs to be more widely implemented. To identify unknown pollutants, non-target analysis based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has been a significant advancement. In this regard, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the identified emerging contaminants to surmount the current challenges and enhance the risk assessment in environmental samples.

Prof. Frank KELLY

Humphrey Battcock Chair of Community Health and Policy
School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK

Topic:
Clinical and toxicological studies on the health effects of air pollution and the challenges ahead

Date: 6 July 2023
Time: 10:50 – 11:25

Abstract:
Air pollution is a worldwide problem and since air pollutants are expensive to control, a strong scientific understanding is required to underpin mitigation policies aimed at reducing the burden on public health. Much of the evidence concerning hazard identification and risk quantification related to air pollution comes from epidemiological studies. However, as urban air pollution is increasingly influenced in many localities by household biomass combustion (Lelieveld et al, Nature 2015;525:367–71), wildfires (Jaffe et al, Environ Sci Technol 2008;42:2812–8) and desert dust storms (Tamamura et al, Atmos Environ 2007;41:2580–93) an improved understanding of the mechanistic pathways evoked is required to infer causality. Taking each in turn, appropriate measures to protect populations will involve advocating smart cities and addressing economic and behavioural barriers to sustained adoption of clean stoves and fuels. Like all natural hazards, wildfires and dust storms are a feature of the landscape that cannot be removed. However, emission containment (land/fire management practices), exposure avoidance and identifying susceptible populations can be taken to prepare for air pollution episodes and ensure people are out of harm’s way when conditions are life-threatening. Communities residing in areas affected by unhealthy concentrations of airborne particles will benefit from optimum communication via public awareness campaigns, designed to empower people to modify behaviour in a way that improves their health as well as the quality of the air they breathe.

Prof. Siaw Kiang CHOU

Emeritus Professor
College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Topic:
Setting a Course for Carbon Neutrality

Date: 6 July 2023
Time: 11:25 – 12:00

Abstract:
Addressing the question of sustainability from the perspective of availability of natural resources, energy, and the environment, we discuss the potential strategic choices and the challenges in the context of urban development and economic viability and vibrancy. Using Singapore as a case study, we share the city’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Mr Ming LIN

Chief Scientist
China Communications Construction Co., LTD., China
Academician
Chinese Academy of Engineering, China

Topic:
Ideas on large floating technology for future urban development

Date: 7 July 2023
Time: 12:00 – 12:35

Abstract:
The global population continues to grow, and the extreme weather and sea level rise caused by the greenhouse effect, the demands of food and energy, as well as the urban environmental problems, are becoming more and more significant. This report expounds the ideas of solving the future urban development problem through large floating engineering technology, and introduces some research advances in this topic, including the engineering technology research of floating tunnels, the conceptual design of a floating airport in Sanya, Hainan, and the “re-blue” plan of a coastal city, etc.