【Friday Beyond Spotlights III】Climate Advocate Natalie Chung: Striving for a Greener Future

Making HK a greener city:
Natalie noted that we do not need reminders about last year’s extreme weather events in Hong Kong. From scorching heat waves during summertime to coastal flooding, storm surges, and even urban flooding, these incidents have exposed the fact that Hong Kong is not as resilient as we have thought. As a low-lying coastal city with a subtropical monsoon climate, the city has its vulnerability. In light of this, Natalie believed that “what we can learn is that the government needs to start building in robustness and resilience within our city planning.”

The government is also making substantial investments with the aim of transforming Hong Kong into a more environmentally friendly city. Natalie, as a member of the Green Tech Fund Assessment Committee, which supports sustainable development projects in Hong Kong, shared some noteworthy initiatives they have funded. One such project involves a university research team that combines various types of plastic waste to create noise barriers along highways. Natalie explained, “Traditionally, when constructing noise barriers for highways, we primarily focus on their ability to reduce noise pollution. However, we seldom consider the energy and raw material consumption associated with their construction. By utilizing a mixture of different types of waste plastic, without the need for separation, we can achieve cost savings while generating numerous co-benefits.”

Constructing a sustainable future
Renowned as the gateway connecting the East and the West, Hong Kong holds a unique position. When discussing the contribution, she believed Hong Kong can make in driving the sustainability discourse, Natalie responded, “In the past, I used to think we don’t have a lot of leverage. But then I realized we can also play a more influencing role within the whole Greater Bay Area, within Mainland China, as well as on the international stage.”

She underscored the significance of green finance as an illustrative example. “We are bringing in a lot of the funding, and the government also issued green bonds that enable even small-scale investors like us to purchase and participate in the green movement.” Regarding technology, Natalie emphasized Hong Kong’s position as a convergence point between the East and the West. Hong Kong serves as a magnet for external talent, and leading battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) companies from the Mainland are establishing their headquarters in Hong Kong. This facilitates the dissemination of their technologies to various regions across the globe.

Looking at the potential consequences of inaction on climate change for Hong Kong, Natalie expressed her belief that the outcome is quite evident. She elucidated, “Last year we already saw how floodwater went inside a shopping mall. If we’re not acting against climate change, we will be exposed to so many different risks that would also bring about financial loss. So ultimately it would harm our economy.”

Inspired to aspire
Natalie’s personal ‘climate journey’ is closely intertwined with her upbringing in Hong Kong and the unwavering support of her parents. It was their initiative to take her on various trails and hikes that played a significant role in kindling her deep affection for nature. Reflecting on this, she acknowledged, “I think if not for my parents, I would not have been on the climate journey because it’s not a very traditional pathway.”

As a social entrepreneur, one of Natalie’s recent notable projects involves a partnership with Disney. Collaborating with them, they brainstormed an innovative concept that allows school students to experience various Disney attractions while incorporating educational elements. For instance, during the Jungle River Cruise, they plan to teach students about biodiversity, the significance of preserving wildlife, and its connection to initiatives like the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

When it comes to empowering young people to safeguard the future of our planet, Natalie highlighted the significance of inspiration. She explained, “The key is to inspire them, as it is through inspiration that we can empower them to take greater action and make a lasting impact on the lives of other young individuals. By instilling a sense of inspiration, we enable them to deepen their understanding of the environment and the emerging challenges that lie ahead.”