News & Events

Hong Kong, 25 September 2022 – Co-organised by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), the Hong Kong Green Building Week 2022 (HKGBW 2022) kicked off yesterday, with Mr TSE Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, The Government of the HKSAR, Ir Thomas HO On-sing, JP, Chairman of the CIC, and Mr CHEUNG Hau-wai, SBS, Chairman of the HKGBC, officiating the Kick-off Ceremony of the campaign at CIC-Zero Carbon Park (CIC-ZCP).

This year marks the tenth year of HKGBW. An array of public activities has been held under the theme “10 out of 10 for Green Building. Carbon Neutrality by 2050!”, including the “10 out of 10 for Green Building KOL Video Competition” inviting the public to act as green building KOLs, the “Biz-Green Dress Day” promoting a greener workplace, and the online interactive game “Greenbuildingverse” to engage the public in learning the importance and benefits of green buildings by exploring local examples, and striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 together.

 

Mr TSE Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, The Government of the HKSAR; Ir Thomas HO On-sing, JP, Chairman of the CIC; and Mr CHEUNG Hau-wai, SBS, Chairman of the HKGBC, officiated the Kick-off Ceremony of the campaign.

In his speech, Mr TSE Chin-wan, BBS, JP, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, The Government of the HKSAR said, “Energy Saving and Green Buildings is one of the four major decarbonisation strategies in Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050 announced by the Government last year, leading the city to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. Buildings now account for about 90% of electricity used in Hong Kong, generating over 60% of Hong Kong’s carbon emissions. Our goal is to reduce the electricity consumption of commercial buildings by 30 per cent to 40 per cent and that of residential buildings by 20 per cent to 30 per cent from the 2015 level by 2050, and to achieve half of the above targets by 2035. Nevertheless, it takes the whole society to participate in decarbonisation. Thanks to the CIC and the HKGBC, who strive to promote green building and set good examples to the public. Here, I would like to congratulate Hong Kong Green Building Week on its 10th anniversary and wish the campaign every success.”

Ir Thomas HO On-sing, JP, Chairman of the CIC said, “The CIC takes the lead in supporting green buildings. In fact, today’s event venue, CIC-ZCP is the first zero-carbon building in Hong Kong. The CIC also promotes green buildings through various measures, including the Carbon Assessment Tool, the Green Product Certification and the Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme. The industry works collectively and strives to realise waste reduction. It is expected that more green buildings will be built and become green landmarks in the city. The 10th anniversary of the HKGBW is a crucial milestone of the industry. Its opening programme ’10 out of 10 for Green Building KOL Video Competition’ received many passionate and creative entries. I wish these entries can strengthen public consciousness of environmental protection, and inspire the industry to promote sustainability and achieve carbon neutrality together by 2050!”

Mr CHEUNG Hau-wai, SBS, Chairman of the HKGBC, remarked, “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the HKGBW. Thank you so much for all your support and participation. HKGBW has broken multiple records this year. We have over 180 – a record-high number – supporting organisations. Over 250,000 employees and members have supported and participated in the “Biz-Green Dress Day”, up nearly 50% compared to last year. The number of Green Building Partners also sets a new record, with 17 joining the cause. Most importantly, the campaign successfully garners full support from the society. We are happy to see a three-year-old girl participated in our green building video competition – it’s believed that this edition has been the one with the widest age range ever. As a bridge connecting the public, the industry, and the government, HKGBC is committed to promoting the BEAM Plus certification. As of August 2022, there are over 2,100 registered BEAM Plus projects, covering a total area of over 70 million m2. BEAM Plus is not only widely recognised, but also provides clear instructions and certifications to buildings would like to apply for green finance. HKGBC will continue to support the HKSAR government in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.”

At the ceremony, the Officiating Guests also presented the prizes to the winners of “10 out of 10 for Green Building KOL Video Competition” and recognised the gorgeous winning entries. Besides, the Kick-off Ceremony marked the official launch of “Greenbuildingverse”, a two-week online interactive game encourages the participants to finish online and onsite missions, and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 together.

Three Officiating Guests presented the prizes to the winners of the “10 out of 10 for Green Building KOL Video Competition”.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was formed in 2007 according to the Construction Industry Council Ordinance (Cap. 587). The CIC consists of a chairman and 24 members representing various sectors of the industry, including employers, professionals, academics, contractors, workers, independent persons and Government officials.

The main functions of the CIC are to forge consensus on long-term strategic issues, convey the industry’s needs and aspirations to the Government, offer professional training and registration services, and provide a communication platform between the Government and the construction industry.

The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member-led organisation established in 2009 and has become a public body under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance since 2016. The HKGBC strives to promote the standard and development of sustainable buildings in Hong Kong. The HKGBC also aims to raise green building awareness by engaging the government, the industry and the public, and to develop practical solutions for Hong Kong’s unique, subtropical built environment of high-rise, high density urban area, leading Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to become a world’s exemplar of green building development. The Founding Members of the HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC).