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Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the Hong Kong Green Building Council Inaugural Ceremony cum Conference at Conrad Hong Kong this morning (November 20):
Andrew (Chan) (Chairman, Hong Kong Green Building Council), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
It is indeed my great pleasure to join you for the launch of the Hong Kong Green Building Council. First of all, a warm welcome to you all, and especially to our guests from the Mainland and overseas. I am delighted that you are here to share with us this important occasion.
The HKGBC will be at the core of a coordinated approach to make our buildings more energy efficient, to reduce carbon emissions and to improve the environment.
In my Budget speech earlier this year, I announced the setting up of this Council. Through the determined efforts of the four founding members, namely the Construction Industry Council, the Business Environment Council, the Hong Kong BEAM Society and the Professional Green Building Council, the HKGBC became a reality.
My heartfelt thanks to all the founding members for their hard work.
The HKGBC includes representatives of the construction industry, academia and other professional sectors. It has a dedicated mission to promote the adoption of green building standards, and the construction of green buildings in Hong Kong. The Council will also raise public awareness about green buildings, and promote technological co-operation between Hong Kong and the rest of the world.
One of the key objectives of the Council is to provide a platform for stakeholders in green building construction to exchange ideas, technology and expertise. The Conference today will be an excellent start along the road to achieving the Council's goals for green building development.
I wish to take this opportunity to get the ball rolling with a few comments about the Government's role.
In considering works projects, we follow the guiding principle of "Progressive Development". In other words, particular emphasis is placed on sustainability as well as balanced and diversified growth that will enhance the quality of our life in this city.
This principle can be applied to existing buildings as well as new projects. Questions that we should ask include: Will the new building be sustainable? What design elements can achieve a "win-win" for building operators as well as users? And what will the life cycle costs be if we were to install energy-saving devices?
Building and maintaining energy efficient buildings is an important contribution towards emission reduction and tackling climate change. A report by the United States Energy Information Agency reveals that world marketed energy consumption is projected to increase by 50% between 2005 and 2030. This is a wake-up call to the pressing need for energy conservation. As a responsible member of our global village, we have to be accountable to our future generations in the use of scarce and valuable resources.
The Government here in Hong Kong is committed to reducing Hong Kong's energy intensity by at least 25% by 2030 compared to the 2005 levels. This is calculated as the ratio of the total primary energy supply to the GDP of a particular year. Because almost 90% of the energy is consumed by our buildings, improving energy efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability of buildings are particularly important. At home, work, school and in leisure activities, we all have a part to play.
Earlier this year, the Development Bureau and the Environment Bureau jointly set out a comprehensive target-based green performance framework for government buildings. The framework specifies guidelines on energy efficiency standards, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, waste reduction, water management as well as indoor air quality. The Government will lead by example in promoting green buildings in Hong Kong.
We will ensure that the design of new government buildings will go beyond the existing requirement set out under the Building Energy Codes issued by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). Some Government buildings, such as the EMSD Headquarters at Kowloon Bay, have installed a photovoltaic panel system to harness solar energy.
The orientation of buildings to make use of natural light and ventilation can also help reduce energy use. The EMSD even has a free software tool on its website to help people assess the energy use and environmental impact of their buildings.
Given the importance of energy efficiency in building design, some "regulatory push" may help resolve any conflicting incentives for developers and building users. We have already conducted a public consultation on the proposed mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes. There was strong and positive support for the initiative from many professional bodies and the general public during this consultation exercise.
We aim to introduce a bill into the Legislative Council by the end of this year to enforce mandatory compliance with the Codes. I am sure that we can count on the support of the HKGBC in promoting the Codes.
Another initiative is to encourage carbon audits for buildings.
A low carbon economy is based on low energy consumption and low pollution. In last year's Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced that the Government will set an example by conducting a Carbon Audit of the new Central Government Complex which is being built at Tamar.
We strongly encourage users, owners and managers of buildings to measure the greenhouse gas emissions of their buildings. This will help identify ways to enhance energy efficiency and to reduce costs. I have already earmarked $450 million in the Budget this year for private building owners to conduct energy-cum-carbon audits and energy efficiency improvement projects.
So far, we have received more than 800 applications under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Funding Scheme. I encourage more people to take up this good opportunity.
The "Green concept" does not end with the completion of construction works. We need to maintain energy saving devices in good condition so that they will continue to work efficiently, and provide a good internal and external environment for buildings so that people can live and work in a more environmentally-friendly setting.
All new Government buildings will aim to achieve the "Excellent Class" rating under the Environmental Protection Department's Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme.
Enhancing urban greenery is also critical to improving the quality of our living environment. In the past three years, we have planted a total of some 5 million trees. We will continue to implement the Greening Master Plan in urban areas. We will also work on developing and implementing the plan in the New Territories.
I am confident that a package of comprehensive measures, including those that I have just mentioned, will serve to enhance the internal and external environment of our buildings.
Allow me to return to basics in terms of existing buildings. The three "Rs": Restore, Reuse, and Revitalise are, in the majority of cases, the best way to make the most of the resources available and minimise waste.
In the past, demolishing old buildings to make way for new ones appeared to be the best way to accommodate our city's rapid growth. Massive infrastructure investment has contributed to the high-speed growth of Hong Kong over the past half a century.
These days, in line with the principle of "Progressive Development", we see new opportunities for the creative, innovative and more environmentally friendly use of our built heritage.
We are implementing a series of initiatives to encourage adaptive re-use of old buildings, including both Government and private properties. The first batch of Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme has been awarded to six very appealing projects. These include a boutique hotel and a world-class design and art school. We are rolling out the second batch of the Scheme, and we look forward to even more exciting projects.
"Conserving Central" is another initiative with enormous potential. Here we have identified landmark buildings and sites of historical interest for preservation and revitalisation. This includes converting Murray Building into a hotel and conserving Central Market. Other key sites include the Central Police Station Compound, Court of Final Appeal building and the original Central School site. Central has its own unique vibe where office workers mingle with shoppers, tourists and residents during the day. In the evenings, restaurants, cafes and night spots transform the character of Central.
By conserving Central, we hope to enhance the atmosphere and attract more people to enjoy the ambience of this area.
In revitalising these old buildings, we will also take the chance and think creatively on how to implement energy-saving measures. Garden rooftops, and vertical greening may provide better insulation for buildings and cut down on our air-conditioning expenses. More natural lighting could also help to reduce electricity bills.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Government is committed to the mission of making our buildings even more energy-efficient. We look forward to working with the HKGBC and its members on promoting environmentally-friendly initiatives.
I thank you all for being here this morning and for your participation in today's Conference. It only remains for me to wish the new Hong Kong Green Building Council every success, and our visitors an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, November 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 10:52
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