A questionnaire based study on the status quo and future action over the regulation of marine greenhouse gas emissions in Hong Kong

Ships contribute to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with their environmental effects being of particular concern in port cities such as Hong Kong (HK). HK aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, and therefore the ongoing targets for reducing emissions from shipping must be in line with this aim. This article results from conducting a questionnaire-based study on the current regulatory measures in HK, followed by a discussion of whether it is appropriate and necessary to adopt any new measures. It discovers that most of the respondents in our survey are satisfied with the current regulatory measures, which are comprised mainly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) technical and operational measures, and that they are also willing to accept any new IMO measures. However, the stakeholders have mixed concerns about adopting the suggested market-based measures as a complementary measure for combating marine emissions. We suggest that it is still necessary for HK to consider additional measures that will obviate any risk of carbon leakage from shipping and that will at the same time promote a level playing field for the sustainable development of shipping.