A study has found that Hong Kong forests can store more than seven million metric tonnes of carbon, about one-fifth of the city’s annual emissions.
The Conservancy Association released the findings of its three-year study last month. The research looked at more than 100 native tree species and their carbon storage capabilities to see which trees in Hong Kong have the best potential to capture greenhouse gases.
To determine which species have the highest capacity to store carbon, the team sampled over 90 plots of forest land and collected data from more than 20,000 trees. The data will be given to authorities and private developers to assess the carbon footprint of future projects.
The study could provide more information for the city’s development, the group’s conservation manager, Dr Angie Ng Ying-sim, said. Projects could involve reforestation and carbon dioxide removal.
Ng said Hong Kong had great potential to create a carbon sink – a natural area which absorbs more carbon than it produces.
One-quarter of the city is woodlands. One-third is grassland and shrub land.
Planting species that store more carbon in these areas could maximise the effects of carbon sink.
Staff writers
