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Following is the speech (English translation) by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in proposing resolution to approve the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order 2009 in the Legislative Council meeting today (October 21):
President,
I move under my name that the resolution contained in the Agenda be passed. The proposed resolution is to approve the enactment of the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order 2009, which amends Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (the Ordinance), for introducing the second phase of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS).
The Ordinance, which was enacted on May 9, 2008, provides a legal basis for implementing the initial phase of the MEELS. The initial phase covers three types of products, namely room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances and compact fluorescent lamps. These three products together account for about 60% of local electricity consumption in the residential sector. As the grace period for the initial phase of the MEELS will end on November 8, we are now in the final stage of preparation for the full implementation of the initial phase.
The Administration has pledged in the 2008-09 Policy Address that to further promote the use of energy efficient appliances, we would introduce the second phase of the MEELS. To this end, we propose amending the Ordinance to include washing machines and dehumidifiers as prescribed products under the Ordinance. These two products account for about 7% of annual electricity consumption in the residential sector. We estimate that the extension of the MEELS to these two products will bring about an additional annual energy saving of about 25 Gigawatt hours (GWh), amounting to a saving of about $25 million in electricity bills every year. Translating it into environmental benefits, this will reduce carbon dioxide emission by 17,500 tonnes per year.
To allow sufficient time for the trade to prepare for the implementation arrangements and following the practice of the initial phase, we propose to provide for a grace period of 18 months for the second phase of the MEELS.
To prepare for the second phase of the MEELS, we have set up a task force with relevant trade associations and the Consumer Council for gauging their views. Key views received have been incorporated in our legislative proposal. We also consulted the Advisory Council on the Environment and the Energy Advisory Committee on July 6 and July 8, 2009 respectively. Both of them supported the proposal. We also consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs on July 15, 2009. Members raised no objection to the proposal.
Global warming has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing the mankind in this century. Power generation is the principal source of greenhouse gas emission in Hong Kong. Enhancing energy efficiency is definitely the most effective weapon that Hong Kong can deploy to combat climate change. The second phase of the MEELS will encourage consumers using energy efficient electrical appliances through providing them with information on the appliancesˇ¦ energy performance.
To introduce the second phase of the MEELS, we need to amend Schedules 1 to 3 of the Ordinance. Amendments to Part 1 of Schedule 1 require positive vetting by this Council. Today's resolution deals with such amendments. After the passing of this resolution, we will submit the remaining amendments to this Council for negative vetting.
President, it is now time we act to combat climate change. I move that the resolution be passed. Thank you.
Ends/Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:07
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