Credit: AFP

I was in Hong Kong in October, talking to a variety of organizations (in the government, private sector and NGOs) about the potential future for emissions trading in the city. Hong Kong’s air pollution has deteriorated significantly in recent years, and the government is exploring an emissions trading pilot project with nearby Guangdong Province.

Christine Loh, former HK legislator and now CEO of the public policy think tank Civic Exchange, has been a long time supporter of the concept. While browsing in a bookstore during the weekend before our meeting, I came across her new autobiography, Being Here – a fascinating story about her family’s Guangdong and Shanghai history, early years growing up in the city, and later legislative accomplishments. She graciously signed my copy at our meeting. This seems to be a golden era (quite literally!) for Hong Kong autobiographies — I had just finished Martin Booth’s wonderful Golden Boy (although it’s entitled “Gweilo” in HK).

Making this visit particularly memorable was a chance to see the Tai Hang “fire dragon” parade/dance, a part of the city’s Mid-Autumn festival celebrations. The dragon was about 70 meters long, and had thousands and thousands of joss sticks all lit up along its entire length. The amount of smoke was amazing, and you know (of course) what I was thinking: “I wonder if they have an air pollution permit for this thing?” Given the air quality, I think they needed one!

In addition to the meetings, I also gave a talk about sustainable urban energy systems at the American Chamber of Commerce in the city. It was arranged by Doug Woodring, a Wharton grad who is working on alternate energy systems in HK. You can check out his company at Motorwave Ltd.