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Following is the keynote speech by the Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Ms Anissa Wong, at Eco Asia Conference on "New initiatives to Promote Energy Efficiency" this morning (October 28):
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning. I am honoured to be here this morning with such a distinguished gathering of professionals, experts and leading businessmen for exchange of views on a variety of environmental topics of concerns in Asia. And to those of you who travelled from abroad to attend this conference, may I extend my warm welcome to you.
I think all of us in the room will have noticed a growing momentum in all parts of the world to protect the environment. At the same time, we all recognise the movement to conserve the environment cannot be pursued at the expense of meeting the community's development needs. The answer to address both expectations lies with finding measures that meet sustainable development principles.
In Hong Kong, electricity generation is the single largest source of air pollution. It contributes more than 90% of sulphur dioxide emission, and almost half of nitrogen oxides and particulates emissions. Power generation also accounts for more than 60% of our total greenhouse gas emission. These statistics explain why promoting energy efficiency and conservation forms a key strategy in the Government's efforts to tackle air pollution and climate change while maintaining the quality of life that the community of a modern city expects. In the following 10 minutes or so, I would like to highlight some of our latest initiatives in this regard.
First, let me explain the institutional support. The Government has set up a dedicated office, the Energy Efficiency Office, or the EEO, under the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department since 1994 to serve as the Government's key driver to spearhead energy efficiency and conservation initiatives. Throughout the years, the EEO has been engaging different sectors in the community to work on energy-saving initiatives and the adoption of new technologies. For example, the EEO has tested on and promoted the use of T5 fluorescent lamp, Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) control technology for lighting systems and heat-pump water heaters. And these technologies have become quite common installations in modern buildings in Hong Kong. It has also devised effective engineering and management tools such as guidelines on energy audits to facilitate our partners in the community to join us in this cause.
We are also fully committed to work with the international community on this front. Last year, the Chief Executive pledged with APEC leaders in Sydney to reduce at least 25% of our energy intensity by year 2030. In his Policy Address some 10 days ago, CE has further included a number of initiatives to promote low carbon economy.
I would like to begin by mentioning the initiative to require mandatory compliance with the Building Energy Codes. In Hong Kong, almost 90% of our electricity consumption is buildings-related. Enhancing building energy efficiency could thus result in significant energy savings and reduction in greenhouse gas emission. Many of you would recall that we have conducted a consultation on the mandatory implementation of Building Energy Codes, which was completed in March this year. I am glad that the vast majority of views received supported the proposal. We are now preparing the legislative proposal with regard to the comments received and aim to introduce the proposal into the Legislative Council in 2009. To complement such efforts and to motivate the public to take concrete actions for this cause, we are also planning to set up two funding schemes under Environment and Conservation Fund, to support building owners to conduct energy-cum-carbon audits and energy saving projects.
The Government is committed to lead by example in promoting energy efficiency in Government buildings. To demonstrate state-of-the art energy-efficient designs and technologies, we have identified a new school project and the planned Kai Tak Government Offices as energy efficiency demonstration projects. On top of it, we are also working on a comprehensive target-based environmental performance framework for new government buildings. With government taking the lead, we hope that private sector and their professional service providers can follow suit and work together to incorporate more green elements and energy saving features in buildings in Hong Kong.
Apart from enhancing building energy efficiency, the public can also contribute to this cause through consuming energy-efficient products. We introduced in May this year a mandatory energy efficiency labelling scheme, which built on the successful experience of the voluntary labelling scheme introduced in 1995. Under the mandatory scheme, energy labels are required for room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances and compact fluorescent lamps to inform consumers of their energy efficiency performance. We trust that the information will help consumers make a conscious choice, and we are also planning to expand the scheme by covering more products. Our colleague will give a more detailed introduction on this scheme in this afternoon's session.
On top of legislations on energy efficiency, we are also exploring opportunities for saving energy by adopting new technologies. Air-conditioning accounts for 30% of the total electricity consumption in Hong Kong, and is one of our major electricity end-uses. To promote energy conservation in this area, the Government has announced a plan to implement the first District Cooling System in Kai Tak Development. A District Cooling System, which is a central water-cooling system, provides energy-efficient air-conditioning services for buildings in a region. It consumes 35% and 20% less electricity as compared with its air-cooled and individual water-cooled counterparts. We anticipate that the project could achieve electricity saving of 85 million kWh and a reduction of 59,500 tonnes carbon emission per annum. Our target is to have the District Cooling System commence operation by 2013 to support the development and operation of major public and private developments at Kai Tak.
Apart from Government efforts, we have also closely involved the private sector and the community in promoting energy efficiency and conservation. To deal with pollution arising from electricity generation, we have put in place measures and incentives in the new Scheme of Control Agreements signed between the Government and the two power companies in January 2008, to encourage the power companies to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energies.
To solicit community-wide support, we have launched a number of large-scale publicity programmes in the past year to promote energy efficiency. You would certainly be aware of the environmental benefits of maintaining the air-conditioned temperature at 25.5¢XC in summer, dress down at work and the switching off idling engines. We are pleased to note many trade associations and chambers of commerce have promulgated environmental charters to encourage their members to incorporate green values in their corporate business strategies and house-keeping measures.
Looking ahead, we are planning a number of researches for further measures on energy efficiency and conservation. We understand that some overseas governments have announced plans to restrict the import or sale of incandescent light bulbs in the years ahead. We will study the phasing out incandescent light bulbs and their replacement by more energy-efficient lighting products. Meanwhile, we will study whether to introduce a statutory restriction on the sale of incandescent light bulbs. At the same time, we will also study the issue of energy wastage in external lighting, and assess the feasibility of regulating external lighting by legislation.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is fully committed to promoting sustainable development, and one of our strategies to this end is to raise energy efficiency and conservation. I am confident this is an area where the potential for environmental benefits and opportunities for investment in technologies for the future are ample. The conference today is a timely occasion for sharing of insight and updating of developments on environmental issues. May I wish you all a very successful conference and fruitful discussion.
Thank you.
Ends/Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:53
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