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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited Kwun Tong District this (February 29) afternoon to learn more about the energy efficiency of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) Headquarters Building. He also visited the construction site of the Kwun Tong Community Green Station (CGS) to see for himself its architectural design and the works progress.
Mr Wong first visited the EMSD Headquarters Building and was briefed by staff members on the building's energy saving facilities and use of renewable energy.
Mr Wong said, "The building was converted into the EMSD Headquarters Building in 2005. Having received a number of environmental and architectural awards, the building is regarded as an exemplary project in the promotion of building energy efficiency and green building. With green retrofits in recent years to further enhance its energy efficiency and other green initiatives, the building was the first non-residential government building to be awarded the Provisional Platinum rating under the BEAM Plus for Existing Buildings in 2014."
With a rooftop garden and vertical green wall, the building can help reduce heat and alleviate the urban heat island effect. Inside the building there is an Education Path with exhibition facilities and interactive exhibits to promote public awareness of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Mr Wong also met students from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering of the City University of Hong Kong who were visiting the EMSD Headquarters Building, and they exchanged views on energy saving and other environmental protection issues.
Afterwards, Mr Wong proceeded to the construction site of the Kwun Tong CGS located at Sheung Yee Road in Kowloon Bay. The facility is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of this year.
The Kwun Tong CGS will conduct public education programmes to enhance awareness of environmental protection and provide support for waste reduction and recycling in the district. By incorporating various green elements in its design, such as vertical greening and other eco-friendly features, the Kwun Tong CGS is another aesthetic and practical green building project which will provide a comfortable and pleasant space for the local community.
The Kwun Tong CGS is one of the various CGS projects under the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). Since 2013, the EPD has been progressively developing CGS projects in all 18 districts to enhance environmental education and assist local communities in the collection of recyclables, thereby enabling green living to take root at the community level.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Wong also met with Kwun Tong District Council (DC) members to listen to their views on the Government's environmental protection work and local environmental issues. He thanked the DC members for their support for the Kwun Tong CGS project and their efforts in the district's green promotion in past years. Mr Wong said that the Government will continue to collaborate with the DC to help build a green community.
Ends/Monday, February 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:13
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