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Following is a question by the Hon James To and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (November 12):
Question:
In July this year, the Environmental Protection Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department launched the "Guidelines to Account for and Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals for Buildings of Commercial, Residential or Institutional Purposes in Hong Kong" to assist companies or organisations which have signed the Carbon Reduction Charter and become "Carbon AuditĦEGreen Partners" in conducting carbon audits on their buildings. In addition, in his policy address delivered last month, the Chief Executive proposed to partially subsidise building owners to conduct comprehensive energy and carbon audits and undertake energy efficiency projects. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the current number of companies or organisations which have become "Carbon AuditĦEGreen Partners";
(b) whether it has determined the basic qualifications for the personnel or independent auditors commissioned to conduct carbon audits; if so, of the details of the qualifications;
(c) given that the Government will legislate for the mandatory compliance of the Building Energy Codes, whether it will determine the professional qualifications of "Energy Auditors" or the like, so as to complement the carbon audit campaign and support the development of the profession;
(d) whether the two aforesaid schemes for energy audits will include residential buildings, and of the implementation timetable for these schemes; and
(e) whether it has considered including environmental and energy efficiency items in the current building maintenance subsidy schemes, so as to raise the awareness of owners to use green construction techniques such as rooftop greening?
Reply:
President,
(a) The Government launched the "Green Hong KongĦECarbon Audit" campaign in July this year to encourage property managers and users to conduct carbon audit on their buildings. To date, more than 40 organisations including those from property development and management sectors, professional bodies, universities, non-profit-making organisations and other business organisations have become "Carbon AuditĦEGreen Partners". The Environmental Protection Department will continue to encourage different sectors in the community to join the carbon audit campaign and update the list of "Carbon AuditĦEGreen Partners" on its webpage from time to time.
(b) To complement the implementation of the "Green Hong KongĦECarbon Audit" campaign, the Government had, after taken into account internationally recognised approaches as well as local circumstances, launched in July this year a set of "Guidelines to Account for and Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals for Buildings of Commercial, Residential or Institutional Purposes in Hong Kong" (the Guidelines) for buildings in Hong Kong. The Guidelines aim to help building owners and management companies account for and report on the greenhouse gases (GHG) generated during the operation of their buildings. The Guidelines provide a systematic and scientific method on the collection of the information required in reporting and sample reporting format. Therefore, personnel with good knowledge on the operation of the buildings concerned should be able to calculate the amount of GHG emissions in accordance with the Guidelines, and identify areas for improvement.
(c) To improve energy efficiency of new and existing buildings as soon as possible, the Government is preparing the legislative proposals on the mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes. We aim to introduce the proposed legislation into the Legislative Council in 2009. We propose that under the new legislation, verification of energy efficiency and energy audits for buildings should be conducted by professionals approved by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. We have formed a stakeholder task force to discuss with relevant trades the qualifications for and registration of such professionals.
(d) As set out in this year's Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed reserving $150 million under the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) to provide funding supports to building owners to conduct energy-cum-carbon audits. He also proposed to reserve another $300 million under the ECF to provide funding support to building owners for conducting energy efficiency improvement projects. We will consult the ECF Committee on the detailed arrangements of the funding schemes, including the types of buildings to be covered and specific eligibility criteria. Subject to the Committee's views, we expect to introduce the two funding schemes within 2009.
(e) Eligible property owners may apply for loans or subsidies under the Building Management and Maintenance Scheme of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS) to carry out environmental protection works in their premises or in the common areas of their buildings, such as installation of energy conservation or water saving devices and green landscaping. They may also apply for loans under the Comprehensive Building Safety Improvement Loan Scheme of the Buildings Department if they use environmental and energy-efficient construction techniques, materials and devices in the maintenance and improvement works for building safety. In addition, elderly owner-occupiers can apply for assistance grants under the Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners administered by the HS.
On the other hand, in supporting and promoting environmental protection, the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) is considering some new features for its Materials Incentive Scheme, including the provision of free environmental devices such as energy efficient lighting and waste separation recycling bins to owners' corporations which intend to use those items for improving the common areas of their buildings.
The URA is mindful of the statutory requirements under relevant environmental legislation on the materials it provides under the Materials Incentive Scheme. For example, all paints provided for external walls should meet the standards of the Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation in order to reduce volatile organic compound emissions of paints. In promoting the waterproof re-roofing of old buildings, the URA, apart from reminding owners to pay attention to the waterproof design of the roof, will also encourage them to use thermal insulation materials which can directly reduce air-conditioning usage and electricity consumption of top floor residents. For various rehabilitation works, the URA often encourages property owners to consider greening of their living environment.
The ECF managed by the Environment Bureau provides funding for environmental and conservation projects (including rooftop greening works) conducted by non-profit-making organisations such as schools and social service agencies. The ECF has subsidised the greening works of 47 schools or social service agencies since April 2008. The Government will continue to promote rooftop greening in buildings through this subsidy scheme.
Ends/Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:48
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