In the run up to the globe's most important meeting on climate change, the #CIWEMtalksCOP26 series asks thought leaders from the water and environmental industry and beyond to answer a common question: what do you most want COP26 to deliver? Here we'll be serialising their answers.

C F Leung (FCIWEM C.WEM) is Director (Operations) at Business Environment Council Limited (BEC) – an independent, charitable membership organisation promoting corporate social and environmental responsibility in Hong Kong, established by the business sector in Hong Kong – and chair of CIWEM's Hong Kong branch.

"At COP21 the Paris Agreement was adopted to limit global warming to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit it to 0.5°C. Five years has passed, however, and we haven't seen the Agreement's impact and climate change hasn't been alleviated. What I hope COP26 can deliver is the following:

A solid road map

"The Hong Kong Government has published three policy documents this year including the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035, the Popularisation of Electric Vehicles and the Clean Air Plan. These plans depict what the Hong Kong Government will adopt to improve the environment, but lack a clear and solid road map outlining their contribution towards decarbonisation.

"I hope such a road map will be announced. Accelerating the phase out fossil fuels and drawing on the power of renewable energy are not the only ways to reach this goal."

Interim carbon reduction target by 2030/2035

"China has announced that it will become a zero-carbon nation by 2060 and Hong Kong will strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, these targets cannot be achieved without a progressive approach, i.e. all of us should act today. 2030/2035 can act as midway point to review the effectiveness of the measures implemented to cut carbon emissions.

"I hope each nation can pledge to announce its carbon reduction target by 2030."

Green finance

"I hope an agreement can be concluded on how developed countries can assist developing countries in combating climate change. Banks and investors also need to commit to making half of their investments and their leadership are aligned with the goal of decarbonisation."

Connect with CF

C F Leung (FCIWEM C.WEM) is Director (Operations) at Business Environment Council Limited and chair of CIWEM's Hong Kong branch.