Living Green: Simple Ways to Lead a Low Carbon Lifestyle in Hong Kong

Who says you can only commit to resolutions at the start of a new year? While we know New Year's resolutions to be the norm, anyone can resolve to commit to a new goal or change any time of the year, as long as they put their mind to it.

Up for a challenge? The United Nations' Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) marked World Habitat Day last Oct. 4, 2021, with the theme "Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free world." We urge you to join us and commit to these practices for the whole month of October (and beyond) to kickstart your journey into low carbon living.

But first, what is a low carbon lifestyle? A low carbon lifestyle is a way of living that reduces one's carbon footprint, which pertains to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual, organization, service, or product. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the earth's atmosphere and warm the planet – we know this as the greenhouse effect – which results in climate change.

To get started, try out this Low Carbon Living Calculator by Climate Ready Hong Kong so you can assess your carbon emissions in relation to clothing, food, living, and travel in the past year. Make adjustments depending on your living context and circumstances.

Food

Consume More Vegetables and Fruits

No one wants to be chastised as a murderer for eating, well, meat, but there's no denying that our diet choices have an impact on our carbon footprint.

There are huge disparities in the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of different foods, with animal-based foods having a higher footprint than plant-based. This doesn't mean you have to suddenly go vegetarian, but we urge you to lessen your intake of animal-based foods when you can.

This visualisation by Our World in Data can help you picture the GHG emissions of 29 different food products and from which stage in the supply chain its emissions come from, with beef at the top and nuts, citrus fruits, and root vegetables at the bottom.

Don't Waste Food

Only cook enough food that you know you can finish. If you can’t, save your leftovers for your next meal or the next day.

You can also support these groups in Hong Kong that are doing their part to save the region's surplus food, which often ends up in the landfills.

Buy Food with Less Packaging

Scout for zero waste and bulk stores near your area where you can bring and weigh your own containers instead of buying food products in plastic packaging. Alternatively, buy products in bulk at the grocery store so you can save more money while using less plastic packaging. Bring your own shopping bags, too!

Living

Recycle

Practice and support recycling activities! Go here for an exhaustive list of organizations in Hong Kong that conduct activities on recovery and recycling.

Turn Off Electric Appliances

Conserve energy at home. Turn off the lights and unplug electric appliances when not in use instead of leaving these on standby mode. If you can afford it, opt for energy-efficient appliances.

Showers over Baths

Baths are nice and all, but baths use up 50% more hot water and energy. Lessen the amount of time you take baths in a week and shower instead!

Transportation

Walk or Cycle

Moving your body to get to your destination isn’t just good for the planet, butt good for your body, too.

Take Public Transportation

When you have to choose between public transportation and riding a private vehicle, utilize your area’s public transportation instead. In instances when you can’t, try carpooling and share your car with others.

Clothing

Buy Secondhand and Donate Old Clothes

Instead of buying new clothes every season, check out the thrift stores near you or patronize online thrift shops for preloved fashion items. Alternatively, check out fashion rental services so you can try out stylish pieces without hurting your wallet and the environment.

Air Dry Your Clothes

Drying clothes with a tumble drier consumes more energy. Go old school and hang-dry your clothes instead.

Do the Laundry and Ironing in Bulk

Like driers, washing machines and clothing irons use a lot of water and energy. If you do not have an energy-efficient washing machine or clothing iron at home, make it a point instead to do the laundry and ironing in bulk. You can do this by collecting your soiled clothes throughout the week and only doing the washing and ironing at the end of the week.