2016-01-13
[Press Release] Hong Kong Green Building Council's Response to the 2016 Policy Address
Hong Kong, 13 January 2016 – The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) welcomes the Government’s initiatives on climate change mitigation, new urban development, waste management and youth development as proposed in the 2016 Policy Address by the Government of the HKSAR. In response, the HKGBC will actively cooperate with the Government to further foster green building development in the following aspects:
i. Climate Change and Energy
The HKGBC welcomes the Government to proactively take forward mitigation measures in accordance with the discussion outcomes of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference. In response to turn the climate change problem around, the HKGBC has formulated green building targets for next five years to echo with the global pledges initiated by the World Green Building Council in COP21 Buildings Day last year. The targets include certification of at least 150 million square feet (14 million square metres) of Gross Floor Area under BEAM Plus and accreditation of at least 350 new BEAM practitioners per year. Besides, the HKGBC is committed to support the dialogue platform amongst various stakeholders on the Government’s recent release of “Energy Saving Plan for Hong Kong’s Built Environment 2015~2025+” and collectively explore solutions to achieve carbon reduction targets.
ii. Green Neighbourhoods
The HKGBC supports the Government to increase land and housing supply, and to take the model of low-carbon “Smart City” as reference for development.
The HKGBC recommends the Government to include elements of green community at the planning stage of new development areas and to make reference to HKGBC’s “BEAM Plus Neighbourhood” rating tool which is aimed to be launched in 2016, in order to enhance liveability of newly developed community.
iii. Waste Management
The HKGBC welcomes the waste management solutions as proposed in the Policy Address. We will actively cooperate with the industry for further studies and develop effective solutions to increase the feasibility of recycling construction wastes.
iv. Nurturing Green Building Professionals
For the future development of Hong Kong on aspects such as housing supply and construction, the HKGBC will contribute relevant knowledge and experience in green building and sustainable development, and continue to foster the training of BEAM Professional and BEAM Affiliate as well as to motivate dialogues with overseas industry professionals. At the same time, we are committed to raise the awareness and interest on green building industry among younger generation and lure more talents to join green building professions after graduation.
The HKGBC welcomes the Government to proactively take forward mitigation measures in accordance with the discussion outcomes of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference. In response to turn the climate change problem around, the HKGBC has formulated green building targets for next five years to echo with the global pledges initiated by the World Green Building Council in COP21 Buildings Day last year. The targets include certification of at least 150 million square feet (14 million square metres) of Gross Floor Area under BEAM Plus and accreditation of at least 350 new BEAM practitioners per year. Besides, the HKGBC is committed to support the dialogue platform amongst various stakeholders on the Government’s recent release of “Energy Saving Plan for Hong Kong’s Built Environment 2015~2025+” and collectively explore solutions to achieve carbon reduction targets.
ii. Green Neighbourhoods
The HKGBC supports the Government to increase land and housing supply, and to take the model of low-carbon “Smart City” as reference for development.
The HKGBC recommends the Government to include elements of green community at the planning stage of new development areas and to make reference to HKGBC’s “BEAM Plus Neighbourhood” rating tool which is aimed to be launched in 2016, in order to enhance liveability of newly developed community.
iii. Waste Management
The HKGBC welcomes the waste management solutions as proposed in the Policy Address. We will actively cooperate with the industry for further studies and develop effective solutions to increase the feasibility of recycling construction wastes.
iv. Nurturing Green Building Professionals
For the future development of Hong Kong on aspects such as housing supply and construction, the HKGBC will contribute relevant knowledge and experience in green building and sustainable development, and continue to foster the training of BEAM Professional and BEAM Affiliate as well as to motivate dialogues with overseas industry professionals. At the same time, we are committed to raise the awareness and interest on green building industry among younger generation and lure more talents to join green building professions after graduation.
The HKGBC has been committed to enhance public awareness on the importance of green building and to promote global sustainable development. Co-organising with the Construction Industry Council, the HKGBC will hold the “World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2017 Hong Kong”, a vivid platform where over 1,800 green building experts gather to exchange knowledge and share experiences. We are looking forward to gaining continuous support from various stakeholders, and joining hand in hand with the Government, the industry and the community to transform Hong Kong into a liveable low-carbon city.
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About the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)
The Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member led organisation established in 2009 with the vision to help save the planet and improve the wellbeing of the people of Hong Kong by transforming the city into a greener built environment. The Founding Members of HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC). Its mission is to lead market transformation by advocating green policies to the Government; introducing green building practices to all stakeholders; setting design, construction and management standards for the building profession; and promoting green living to the people of Hong Kong. To learn more about the HKGBC, please visit www.hkgbc.org.hk.
Press Contact
The Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member led organisation established in 2009 with the vision to help save the planet and improve the wellbeing of the people of Hong Kong by transforming the city into a greener built environment. The Founding Members of HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC). Its mission is to lead market transformation by advocating green policies to the Government; introducing green building practices to all stakeholders; setting design, construction and management standards for the building profession; and promoting green living to the people of Hong Kong. To learn more about the HKGBC, please visit www.hkgbc.org.hk.
Press Contact
| Alice Au Yeung / Fiona Ip Strategic Communications Consultants Tel: +852 2114–4959 / +852 2114–4344 Email: alice.auyeung@sprg.com.hk / fiona.ip@sprg.com.hk |
Sandy Koon / Sophie Fung Hong Kong Green Building Council Secretariat Tel: +852 3994–8835 / +852 3994–8837 Email: sandy.koon@hkgbc.org.hk/ sophie.fung@hkgbc.org.hk |