(Former Head of Climate Programme WWF Hong Kong)
Liam has been working on climate change and energy policies in different parts of the world for over 10 years. Having spent 7 years in Asia and only just moved to Hong Kong last September, his footprint is a less-than-impressive 28.44 tonnes, including the flights he takes with his work at WWF. As part of the team behind Climateers and to set an example for co-workers and NGOers, Liam has decided to set himself absolute emission
Actually I think if you work on these issues you are going to have to be one! I cannnot just ask people to take action WITHOUT demonstrating more action in MY OWN LIFE. This is the first time I have 'gone public' with my carbon footprint - I hope it will add transparency and credibility to the WWF team and its message that we are serious about the messages we give out. Especially as my footprint is quite high, and I am basically in the same situation as everyone else - a lifestyle change is required even for most so-called environmentalists.
80% of my emissions are from planes, including flights to see the family in the UK and the Philippines and flights representing WWF. Although we are buying Gold Standard carbon offsets to make these flights carbon neutral, this is not really the answer.
Yes, like most people in HK we have a small place so it is really easy to heat and cool. When we moved to here we bought new appliances and we got energy label class 1 stuff easily enough. We also have ceiling fans, so just the bedrooms are airconned and used only in hot nights. As I live on Cheung Chau (no cars! Fantastic!) I take the ferry and then walk to the office in Central, so I think my performance in local transport is pretty good.
I need to set a solid target for flights, both work and personal. I'm including work flights because I really think I can do something about it - in my position I do have a lot of control about which events I attend and which issues I prioritise. In the past year I have flown mainly to put WWF Hong Kong's views into specific debates and or to build networks. The option here is to try to get other parts of WWF's global team closer to the event to cover these invitations. We will also look into web and video-conferencing options more often.
On the personal end of things I am setting myself the target to cut aviation emission by 50% this year with all emissions to be offset with Gold Standard carbon credits. This is going to be a very difficult problem for expats like myself - seeing old friends and family is really important when many of them live so far away. Yet on the other hand we have to start being accountable for the pollution we cause.
I'm also going to try to cut home and transport emissions by 20%. For example we can manage our electricity use much more effectively in the home just by really focusing on turning stuff off when we don't need it. Transport emissions are mainly coming from the Cheung Chau fast ferry - I will try taking some slow ferry trips and work on the ferry itself. Maybe that will help me slow down and turn into a mellower individual!
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