The local tourism industry must be a key driver in helping Macau achieve a greener economy but can also follow the lead set by counterparts in Europe, a gathering of Macau’s most influential minds has been told.

The first ever “Green Way Macao – An Agenda for Green Diversification” seminar was recently hosted by the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao and the Macau European Chamber of Commerce (MECC), where Ambassador Thomas Gnocchi, head of the European Union Office, spoke on how to address climate change, green global economies and safeguard the lives of future generations.

In particular, he outlined the significant progress made by the European Union (EU) in addressing climate change, having already brought down emissions by 25% since 1990 and targeting a reduction in net emissions of 55% by 2030 with the goal of becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Macau, Gnocchi added, is uniquely placed to follow Europe’s lead.

“There are synergies between the EU and Macau,” he explained. “The EU is Macau’s number one trading partner in goods – even ahead of China – accounting alone for 30% of Macau’s external trade in goods. The EU is continuously upgrading its domestic green standards and legislations – already the most ambitious in the world. It means that EU goods sold in Macau are of the best environmental quality and thus contribute to making Macau a more sustainable economy as well.

“The EU is also the fourth largest source of foreign investment into Macau. The EU business community has a strong presence in the SAR, bringing talented minds, innovative ideas and green solutions for the diversification and decarbonisation of the Macau economy. This is the case for the many businesses present today in the room.

Some of the green measures announced by the Chief Executive in his Policy Address earlier this month include promoting cleaner vehicles, improving walkability and increasing recycling facilities – in all these areas the EU has technologies and good practices that could benefit Macau.”

Macau, Gnocchi said, is actively pushing for a greener economy.

“As the main contributor to Macau’s economy, the tourism industry will be a key driver for these changes,” he said.

Among the many green initiatives already adopted by Macau’s tourism operators have been the elimination of plastic cutlery and plastic bottles, and the use of electric buses for transportation.