Honored laborers of Hong Kong's outdoor sector and inhabitants of subdivided flats endure the relentless onslaught of summer's oppressive heatwave.
In the face of soaring temperatures and extreme heat waves, the Hong Kong government and community groups have taken significant steps to address the heat-related issues affecting outdoor workers and residents of subdivided flats.
One of the most notable measures introduced by the government is the three-tier Heat Stress at Work Warning system, implemented in 2023. This system, ranging from amber to red and black, advises employers to provide rest breaks to workers in outdoor environments, aiming to prevent heatstroke and protect their health during hot weather conditions. During extreme heat, there are advisories and protocols to limit outdoor work hours, encourage staggered shifts, and suspend outdoor work when temperatures reach critically high levels [1].
Community groups, such as the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO), have highlighted the severe heat stress in substandard housing, where temperatures inside subdivided flats can rise to 40 degrees Celsius due to poor ventilation and a lack of windows. To combat this, public advisories emphasise proactive heatstroke prevention measures, including staying hydrated, seeking shade or cooler environments, and mitigating energy costs by advising on efficient cooling strategies during heat waves [2][4].
The government’s Climate Action Plan 2050 aims to address urban heat island effects caused by dense building environments, a key factor aggravating heat conditions in the city. Although primarily focused on climate and emission reduction, the plan indirectly supports heat relief by aiming to moderate long-term temperature rises [2].
In addition to these measures, the Community Climate Resilience Concern Group is working to create accessible cooling spaces throughout Hong Kong. In 2022, the group launched a project, partnering with cafes and bookshops to provide free cooling spaces for vulnerable populations, spanning eight districts with more than 10 partner locations [3].
However, the economic burden of increased electricity bills during summer months is a significant concern for subdivided flat residents like Fong, whose bill triples or quadruples during the summer. To alleviate this, SoCO has urged the government to establish a permanent scheme of subsidies for energy bills in the long term [4].
Despite these measures, many workers still face heat-related symptoms while working. Ling Chan, a street cleaner in her 70s, endured the sweltering summer heat with minimal protection, ultimately suffering from heatstroke last year during Hong Kong’s hottest summer on record. An elderly subdivided flat tenant named Fong in Kwai Chung described living conditions as "like living in a steamer" during summer [5].
The group has also emphasised the need for education and awareness about climate change and its unequal impact. A food delivery worker named Ng reported experiencing heat rash and skin peeling from sun exposure. SoCO noted that some rooftop slums and cage homes remain boiling hot even with air conditioners running due to direct sunlight exposure [6].
In response to these challenges, the Community Climate Resilience Concern Group continues its efforts to create more accessible cooling spaces and advocate for policies that better account for the unequal impact of climate change on vulnerable populations [3]. On July 8, 2024, Hong Kong recorded its hottest Xiaoshu since 1884, with temperatures reaching 34.3C [7]. As the city continues to face extreme heat waves, the importance of these measures in protecting outdoor workers and vulnerable residents becomes increasingly clear.
- The climate crisis, driven by climate change, presents a pressing issue in Hong Kong, with authorities and community groups working to address heat-related problems.
- To mitigate extreme heat conditions, the Hong Kong government implemented a three-tier Heat Stress at Work Warning system in 2023, advising employers to take precautions to safeguard worker health during hot weather.
- Community groups like the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) are also focusing on substandard housing, providing public advisories for proactive heatstroke prevention, especially in subdivided flats with poor ventilation.
- The Hong Kong government's Climate Action Plan 2050 aims to tackle the urban heat island effect, addressing climate change and, indirectly, alleviating heat relief by moderating long-term temperature rises.
- In an effort to create cool refuge for vulnerable populations, the Community Climate Resilience Concern Group launched a project in 2022, partnering with cafes and bookshops to offer free cooling spaces across eight districts.
- Despite these initiatives, many outdoor workers are still susceptible to heat-related symptoms, highlighting the need for continued education and awareness about climate change's effects and its unequal impact on vulnerable populations, such as street cleaners and subdivided flat residents.
