Press Releases

Mr Hans-Josef Fell: A Sustainable and Peaceful World Requires 100% Renewable Energy with a Zero-emission Economy

The LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation today (5 October) hosted the Sustainability Prize Laureate Public Lecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Mr Hans-Josef Fell, 2018 laureate of the Sustainability Prize, delivered a lecture entitled “Global Zero-emission Economy based on 100% Renewables is Feasible, Economical and a Prerequisite for a Sustainable & Peaceful World.” The lecture was also streamed live online.

The latest wave of record-high temperatures and extreme weather events is clear signal of tremendously accelerating global warming. There is now an urgent need for a strategy to cool down the Earth. By transitioning to a zero-emission economy based on 100% renewable energy sources, it might just be possible to achieve the aims of the Paris Agreement and secure sustainable food and energy supply, to resolve conflict over resources. And, as the costs of renewable energies such as solar and wind continue to fall, this is now a tangible reality.

Mr Hans-Josef Fell is an internationally recognised founding figure of the global renewable energy movement, who has worked as an environmental pioneer since the 1970s. In his public lecture, Mr Fell spoke about the critical need to address global warming by moving to 100% renewable energy; sharing his view that energy transition is no longer a question of technical feasibility, but of political will. He delved further into his proposal for an effective climate protection strategy and presented the results of a groundbreaking study by the Energy Watch Group on making the transition to 100% renewable energy around the world.

Moderated by Professor Gabriel Ngar-cheung LAU, Director of the Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, CUHK, the lecture was widely attended by environmentalists, green parties’ professionals, representatives from public and private sectors and students.

The Sustainability Prize’s specific area of focus this year is Development of Renewable Energy. Mr Hans-Josef Fell received the award for his long-term activism and advocacy of the renewable energy movement. He has inspired energy innovations, pushed for environmental political change, and secured new research funding. His dedicated work over the course of half a century has successfully changed global debates and practices around the subject of renewable energy.

The LUI Che Woo Prize is an annual cross-sector award which aims to recognise and inspire the efforts of compassionate individuals and organisations working to build a more harmonious world. Founded by Dr Lui Che-woo in 2015, the Prize is an international accolade which advances with the times in order to address ever-evolving global needs and challenges. The LUI Che Woo Prize 2018 Prize Presentation Ceremony was held prior to Mr Fell’s public lecture, on Wednesday, 3 October 2018.

   

Dr Moses Cheng, Member of the Board of Governors of LUI Che Woo Prize Limited, introduces the Prize.

   

Mr Hans-Josef Fell talks about the critical need to address global warming by moving to 100% renewable energy.

   

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, presents a souvenir to Mr Fell, thanking him for hosting the talk.

   

Audience enjoying the talk.