council for sustainable development overview of the …

For information on Paper No. 03/11 7 June 2011

COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Overview of the work of the Council for Sustainable Development

Purpose On the commencement of the new term of the membership of the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC), this paper provides Members with an overview of the work of the SDC. Council for Sustainable Development 2. The SDC was appointed by the Chief Executive (CE) in March 2003 to promote sustainable development (SD) in Hong Kong. It comprises people with experience and expertise in the environmental, social and business sectors (the three pillars of SD) together with senior government officials. The SDC’s terms of reference and current membership are at Annex A. 3. The SDC has established two Sub-committees to support its work on the strategy and education fronts respectively. The Strategy Sub-Committee (SSC) focuses on public engagement with a view to building a SD strategy for Hong Kong. The Education and Publicity Sub-Committee (EPSC) advises on the disbursement of SD Fund to support community initiatives, and promotes SD and sustainability practices through outreach endeavours targeting schools and the general community. Both Sub-committees are made up of SDC members and co-opted members. Terms of reference of the two Sub-committees are attached at Annexes B and C respectively.

2

The SDC’s public engagement model

4. As the involvement of stakeholders is a key element of sustainability, the SDC has designed and implemented a bottom-up, open, inclusive and stakeholder-led engagement model to gather public opinions on key sustainability issues, with a view to building an overall SD strategy for Hong Kong. The SDC’s engagement process comprises the following five stages –

(a) Identifying the priority area; (b) Preparing a document to invite public responses (i.e.

the “Invitation for Response” (IR) document); (c) Involving directly the wider community; (d) Reporting on the community’s response and putting

forward recommendations; and (e) Government to act.

5. The SDC’s public engagement process involves a great variety of stakeholders. Besides the professional interests and/or pressure groups relevant to the issues for engagement, other stakeholders from the wider community – including those from the SDC’s partner organisations lined up for each engagement process, non-government organisations, schools, businesses, district organisations as well as individual members of the public – will also participate. 6. By providing different stakeholders with the relevant information and engaging them in discussion in public forums, the SDC's public engagement process can help the community to better understand the issues involved and appreciate the views of different sectors of the community on the issues in question. Such process can also allow the participants to better understand the pros and cons of the possible choices such that they could offer their views on an informed basis and thereby enhancing the chances for achieving consensus. The public views that would emerge from such an open and participatory process conducted by

3

the SDC would likely be more balanced and the outcome more credible and representative to lend support to the Government for making the necessary changes/policy tools. 7. The SDC has so far conducted four rounds of engagement process (or “engagement exercises”) addressing six key sustainability issues, namely solid waste management, renewable energy and urban living space in 2004; population policy in 2006; air quality in 2007; and building design to foster a quality and sustainable built environment in 2009 (updated report on implementation progress at Annex D). More details on the above engagement exercises are available at the website: www.susdev.org.hk. 8. In light of the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change and given the extensive implications of the subject, the SDC decided and announced on 17 January 2011 to conduct the next public engagement process focussing on the “demand side” of the equation to take a bottom-up approach to engage building users to work together to maximise energy efficiency and minimise carbon emission in buildings. 9. Members are invited to note the content of this paper for information. Council Secretariat May 2011

4

Annex A

Council for Sustainable Development

Terms of reference

(a) To advise the Government on the priority areas it should address in promoting sustainable development;

(b) To advise on the preparation of a sustainable development

strategy for Hong Kong that will integrate economic, social and environmental perspectives;

(c) To facilitate community participation in the promotion of

sustainable development in Hong Kong through various means, including the award of grants from the Sustainable Development Fund; and

(d) To promote public awareness and understanding of the principles

of sustainable development.

Membership (from 1 March 2011 to 28 February 2013)

Mr Bernard Charnwut CHAN, GBS, JP (Chairman) Mr CHAN Siu-hung Professor HO Kin-chung, BBS Mr Benjamin HUNG Pi-cheng Mrs Stella LAU KUN Lai-kuen, JP Ms Lilian LAW Suk-kwan, JP Mrs Miranda LEUNG CHAN Che-ming Mr Victor LI Tzar-kuoi Dr LO Wai-kwok, BBS, MH, JP Professor POON Chi-sun Mr SIN Chung-kai, SBS, JP Professor Joseph SUNG Jao-yiu, SBS Professor Nora TAM Fung-yee, JP

5

Ms Iris TAM Siu-ying, JP Dr Andrew Lee THOMSON Miss Sherry TSAI Hiu-wai Professor Stephen WONG Siu-lun, SBS, JP Secretary for the Environment* Secretary for Development* Secretary for Home Affairs* Secretary for Transport and Housing*

* or Permanent Secretary

6

Annex B

Strategy Sub-Committee

Terms of reference

(a) To assist the Council for Sustainable Development with the formulation of a Sustainable Development Strategy for Hong Kong;

(b) To engage stakeholders and the community and implement a

consultation programme as agreed by the Council for Sustainable Development with a view to ensuring that the Sustainable Development Strategy is inclusive and widely accepted by the community; and

(c) To report regularly to the Council for Sustainable Development

on the progress of the formulation of the Sustainable Development Strategy.

7

Annex C

Education and Publicity Sub-Committee

Terms of reference

(a) To advise on a continuous education and publicity programme to

promote public awareness and understanding of the concept and practice of sustainable development;

(b) To foster partnerships with stakeholders in the community on

initiatives aimed at promoting public awareness of and community participation in sustainable development; and

(c) To advise on the disbursement of grants from the Sustainable

Development Fund in accordance with the funding criteria determined by the Council for Sustainable Development.

1

Annex D

Implementation Progress Report (updated as in February 2011)

I. Solid Waste Management

Items Implementation Progress

A. Strategic Objectives

(1) As a community, to make every effort to avoid generating waste and to reduce the amount of solid waste that needs final disposal, by adopting measures to facilitate the separation of discarded material, the recovery and reuse of material and the recycling of non-reusable material.

(2) To apply the “user pays” principle as

a means of reducing volumes of waste for disposal.

(3) To adopt advanced technologies and

practices to treat waste requiring final disposal and to create new economic opportunities.

(a) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) published “A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste” (Policy Framework), which is available on the website : http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/. It sets out a comprehensive strategy with clear targets and timetables for municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Hong Kong for the ten years from 2005 to 2014.

(b) The Policy Framework embraces the fundamentals of sustainable waste management strategy, the “user pays” and “producer responsibility” principles and proposes tools and measures to create economic incentives to avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle waste. It also proposes to develop state-of-the-art Integrated Waste Management Facilities (IWMF) with thermal treatment as the core technology for final waste treatment before disposal at our landfills (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/ch03/main.htm#Role).

(c) The Administration has reviewed the strategy set out in the Policy Framework against the latest development and announced on 4 January 2011 an updated action plan on waste management (http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr10-11/english/panels/ea/papers/ea-ep8603175a-e.pdf).

2



B. Targets

We will review the targets recommended by the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC), namely –

(1) To reduce the amount of municipal

solid waste generated in Hong Kong by 1% per annum up to the year 2014, based on 2003 levels.

(2) To increase the recovery rate of

municipal solid waste to 45% by 2009 and 50% by 2014.

(3) To reduce the total municipal solid

waste disposed of in landfills to less than 25% by 2014.

EPD has adopted the targets recommended by SDC and included them in the Policy Framework (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/ch04/main.htm#OurTargets).

(a) With the overall economic slowdown, the amount of MSW generated only slightly increased by 0.1% in 2009. The Government will continue implementing initiatives to further reduce the MSW generation.

(b) The recovery rate of domestic waste increased from 16% in 2005 to 35% in 2009. With the increase in domestic waste recovery, the overall recovery of MSW also increased from 43% in 2005 to 49% in 2009.

(c) Compared to the previous year, the amount of MSW disposed of at our landfills decreased by 0.9% to about 3.27 million tonnes (http://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/materials/info/msw2009.pdf). EPD will press ahead with the development of IWMF in order to achieve the Policy Framework’s target of reducing the total MSW landfilled to less than 25% (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/).

In January 2011, the Administration revised upward the target to achieve MSW recovery rate of 55% by 2015.

3



C. Plan of Action

(1) To embark on educational programmes to reduce waste generation.

(a) EPD, together with the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) (http://www.ecc.org.hk/), will continue to organise community-based and school-based waste reduction activities and to publicize waste reduction messages through the mass media. As an on-going measure, general awareness of waste reduction is promoted through the local media, including television, radio stations and local newspapers, as well as production of APIs (Announcements of Public Interest).

(b) The Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) has agreed to allocate $10 million for a public education programme (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/news_events/events/events_pep.html) under the Policy Framework. The programme aims to support longer-term and community-wide public education projects, which are in line with the objectives of the Policy Framework. 19 applications with a total funding of about $8.03 million have been approved so far. These projects cover a wide range of topics, including reduction of plastic shopping bags, green procurement, green festive packaging, and the recovery and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment, etc.

(c) The ECF also supported schools/ NGOs to purchase small scale food waste composters in order to promote food waste recovery. Up to February 2011, 59 applications with a total funding of about $3.14 million have been approved.

(2) To introduce community programmes to encourage territory-wide separation of waste at source and introduce measures to facilitate household participation.

(a) As in February 2011, EPD already enlisted 1,673 housing estates/residential buildings and over 700 rural villages in the territory-wide programme on source separation of domestic waste, covering 80% of the population in Hong Kong (https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/household/source_comp.htm). The target set in the Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014), i.e. extending the coverage to 80% of the population by end 2010, has been achieved.

4



(b) Given the encouraging results of source separation in domestic premises, a similar programme for commercial and industrial premises was launched in October 2007. As in February 2011, some 671 buildings signed up to the programme, covering commercial and Government office buildings, shopping arcades, industrial buildings, warehouses, tertiary education institutions, racecourses and car parks.

(c) The Building (Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Chambers and Refuse Chutes) Regulations (Chapter 123H) was amended in the 2007-08 legislative session. All new domestic buildings and the domestic part of new composite buildings are required to provide a refuse storage and material recovery room on every building floor to facilitate residents to participate in waste recovery. The amended legislation came into effect on 1 December 2008.

(d) With the ECF funding support, ECC launched in November 2008 a promotion programme to distribute waste separation bins freely to housing estates and commercial and industrial buildings. As in February 2011, 4,280 sets of waste separation bins have been distributed through this programme.

(e) To meet the revised MSW recovery target of 55% by 2015, EPD planned to introduce a series of complementary measures involving government departments, the estate management trades, the restaurant operators, the public organisations, green groups and social services groups in efforts to broaden the participation in waste reduction and recycling:

expansion of the programme on Source Separation of Waste and operate waste recycling activities at suitable public locations to facilitate collection of recyclables from the community with a view to instilling behavioural change;

taking forward pilot projects to promote on-site waste composting at shopping malls with restaurants, hotels and other premises, and developing of funding schemes under the ECF to support the operation of on-site food waste treatment

5



at housing estates, and

rallying the support of all departments with close interface with the public in waste reduction programmes as far as possible so as to demonstrate a visible commitment of the Administration.

(3) To step up the implementation of the polluter-pays principle through the introduction of fiscal measures such as product responsibility schemes and green tax.

(a) The Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags was implemented on 7 July 2009 as the first producer responsibility scheme (PRS) under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance. Based on the Government’s review, the Levy Scheme has achieved a greater impact than originally estimated. We will conduct a public consultation on the way forward in 2011, with a view to extending the coverage of the initiative.

(b) A Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme, funded by 36 manufacturers and importers of rechargeable batteries and electronic equipment, moved into its seventh year in April 2010 (https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/workplace/rechargebattery_intro.htm).Collection points are set up in 1,205 housing estates, 490 commercial/industrial buildings and 228 schools. In the first six years, about 249 tonnes of rechargeable batteries (equivalent to 1,650,000 pieces) have been collected and shipped to designated treatment facilities in South Korea and Japan for recycling.

(c) A Computer Recycling Programme, now funded by 19 manufacturers and suppliers of computer equipment, was launched in January 2008 (https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/workplace/crp_intro.htm). Apart from 14 public collection points, collection points are also set up in some 620 housing estates and over 140 commercial/industrial buildings. Up to February 2011, about 57,000 pieces of major computer equipment have been collected. Better quality computers have been donated to the needy through a charitable organisation. Others have been dismantled and recycled.

(d) A Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme, now funded by 15 manufacturers and

6



suppliers of fluorescent lamps, was launched in March 2008 (https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/household/flrp_intro.htm). Apart from 125 public collection points, collection points are also set up in 831 housing estates. In the first year, about 269,000 lamps were collected. About 277,000 lamps were collected in the second year. In the first 10 months of the third year, about 317,000 lamps were collected. The lamps collected were delivered to a mercury lamp treatment facility at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre.

(e) A Glass Container Recycling Programme for the Hotel Sector, funded by participating hotels, was launched in November 2008 (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/eco_responsibility/n_gcrp.html). The participating hotels segregate the used glass bottles from other waste for separate collection for recycling. In the first two years, about 880 tonnes of glass containers were recovered. The number of participating hotels has also increased from 11 in the first year to 18 at present.

(f) EPD launched a public consultation on 18 January 2010 to solicit the public views on the proposed PRS on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The public consultation period ended on 30 April 2010. EPD would report back to the LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs on the implementation proposals later within 2011. EPD would also discuss with the trade on a detailed implementation plan.

(4) To develop a policy to promote the recycling industry.

EPD has been formulating a comprehensive policy to support the recycling industry. Specifically, EPD will:

(a) improve the waste collection network through programmes on separation of waste at source;

(b) adopt PRSs (http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/panels/ea/papers/ea0424cb1-1300-4-e.pdf) as a major measure to enhance the recovery of recyclable materials as reported in item 3 above;

7



(c) continue to lease suitable short term tenancy sites exclusively to waste recyclers. At present, there are a total of 33 such sites. The total area is about 5.8 hectares;

(d) continue to lease EcoPark lots to provide long-term land at an affordable price for the environmental and recycling business (see the Implementation Progress to Plan of Action Item (5) below);

(e) adopt a green procurement policy (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/how_help/green_procure/green_procure.html) to enhance market demand for recycled products;

(f) continue to support and encourage research and development of new recycling technologies through the ECF (http://www.ecf.gov.hk/) for local tertiary institutes, the Innovation and Technology Fund (http://www.itf.gov.hk/) and various funds for small and medium enterprises; and

(g) continue to organise educational programmes at the community level to increase the public awareness of waste recycling.

(5) To establish an EcoPark exclusively

for the environmental industry.

(a) The EcoPark (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/ecopark/index.html) occupies 20 hectares of land in Tuen Mun Area 38 and is developed in two phases with a total rentable area of 14 hectares.

(b) All of the six lots in Phase 1 with a total rentable area of 4 hectares have been leased for the recycling of waste cooking oil, waste metals, waste wood, waste computers, waste plastics and waste batteries. Tenders were invited for the leases of six lots in Phase 2, with a total rentable area of 5 hectares, on 4 March 2011.

(6) To examine the introduction of charges for municipal solid waste.

(a) On the domestic side, EPD carried out a 3-month trial scheme in late 2006/early 2007 to examine the logistical requirements for waste recovery and disposal in different domestic housing settings including public rental estates, subsidised sales

8



flats, private housing estates and government quarters.

(b) On the commercial and industrial (C&I) side, EPD completed in end 2010 a Baseline Study to collect information on the waste generation and waste management practices of different C&I buildings.

(c) The trial scheme and study revealed that the unique city fabric of Hong Kong and the way our municipal waste being collected would pose implementation challenges to municipal solid waste charging. A broad framework on the principles, pros and cons of MSW charging options will be presented for public engagement in 2011.

(7) To consult the public on the introduction of advanced technologies for the bulk treatment of solid waste.

(a) In early 2008, EPD identified two potential sites suitable for developing the first phase of the IWMF, taking account of environmental, technical/engineering and economic considerations, as well as social impact and implications for consumers/users. EPD has briefed the Advisory Council on the Environment, the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, the relevant District Councils, Rural Committee and Area Committees on the site selection results.

(b) EPD commenced the detailed engineering and environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies in November 2008 to ascertain the overall suitability of the two potential sites (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/WFdev_IWMF.html and http://www.iwmf.hk). The EIA studies were completed with their reports released on 17 February 2011 for public inspection (http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_1932011/index.htm). Based on the EIA results and considering other pertinent factors, the artificial island site near Shek Kwu Chau was considered to be the preferred site for developing the first phase of the IWMF. EPD plans to seek funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in early 2012 with a view to commissioning the first phase of the IWMF by 2018.

(c) EPD has been engaging the public about the IWMF development since

9



2008. This includes the organisation of roving exhibitions in various districts in 2008, a public seminar in March 2008 (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/boards/advisory_council/files/waste_paper_2007_07.pdf) and a public discussion forum in November 2008 (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/WFdev_IWMF_PublicForum.html). In these activities, the latest waste treatment technologies were introduced and both local and overseas experts shared with the public their experience and knowledge on the concerns and measures to address the environmental, health and safety aspects of the thermal waste treatment technologies.

(d) EPD has also organised several focus group meetings to solicit views from various stakeholders. In addition, EPD organised a four-day overseas study visit in September 2009 for the District Councillors from the Tuen Mun District and the Islands District to see how advanced waste incineration technologies were operated in Japan in September 2009. The experience gained from the study visit was discussed in the respective district council meeting of the Tuen Mun District Council and the Islands District Council on 3 November 2009 and 14 December 2009 (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/WFdev_IWMF_JapanStudyVisit.html).

(e) After the release of the EIA reports for the IWMF development, EPD presented and discussed with the Islands and Tuen Mun District Councils about the IWMF project on 21 February 2011 and 1 March 2011 respectively. EPD also attended consultation meetings with the Cheung Chau Rural Committee and the Cheung Chau residents on 8 March 2011 and 10 March 2011 respectively.

10

II. Renewable Energy



(1) To explain clearly the issue of Renewable Energy (RE) to the wider community, putting this in the context of local and global sustainable development, by organising regular promotional and educational campaigns.

(2) To have an energy policy that is

sustainable in the longer term, and that will set clear goals for the increased use of RE in Hong Kong and promote energy efficiency and conservation.

(3) To increase and sustain conservation

of energy in order to reduce the growing trend of energy use.

To promote RE in the community, the Environment Bureau (ENB) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) have been implementing various measures, including cooperation with the two power companies, green groups and other non-governmental organisations in launching public education and publicity programmes, encouraging the use of RE in government buildings as well as the private sector, and working with the power companies to promote the use of RE in power generation. Details are set out below.

11



B. Targets

(1) To organise more public education programmes on RE and sustainable energy consumption that links these issues to local and global sustainable development.

Details are set out below.

(2) To aim to have between 1% and 2% of Hong Kong’s total electricity supply met by power generated from renewable sources by the year 2012, with this target being subject to regular review in the light of advances in technological solutions and emerging sustainability considerations.

(3) To develop plans to promote energy efficiency and conservation as part of a sustainable energy policy.

C. Plan of Action

(1) To work with the power companies and other stakeholders to organise more education campaigns on RE.

(a) ENB and EMSD have regular meetings with the two power companies on ways to promote RE, and energy efficiency and conservation.

(b) Hongkong Electric (HEC)’s 800kW wind turbine at Lamma Island commenced

operation in February 2006 (http://lammawindturbine.hec.com.hk/). Separately, CLP

12



Power and HEC are planning to build off-shore commercial wind farms in Southeastern waters of Hong Kong and the waters adjacent to Southwest Lamma Channel respectively. HEC has also commissioned a solar power system at Lamma Island in July 2010. The system is expected to generate 620,000kWh of electricity annually. These local RE projects would have demonstration impact on the community.

(c) In collaboration with Education Bureau and EMSD, the two power companies

produced a web-based educational kit for secondary school students on energy efficiency. Briefings were organised for secondary school teachers to introduce the educational kit (http://www.hk-phy.org/energy/index_e.html).

(d) Both power companies have launched sponsorship schemes to promote the use of

RE or energy efficiency and conservation. CLP Power operates Energy Innovation Fund. HEC’s Clean Energy Fund (http://www.hec.com.hk/hehWeb/CommunityAndEducation/CleanEnergyFund/Index_en.htm) has awarded over $5 million since 2006 for implementing projects related to RE or energy efficiency and conservation.

(e) The Education Path at the EMSD Headquarters was opened in October 2005 where

schools and other interested organisations may familiarise with the latest technologies in RE and energy efficiency. The Education Path consists of Exhibition Galleries with interactive exhibits and a viewing gallery where a 350kW photovoltaic facility and two wind turbines (1kW and 1.5kW) are installed. As in February 2011, a total of 1,017 organisations and 37,181 visitors have visited the Education Path (http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pee/ep.shtml).

(f) EMSD continued to organise a series of technical seminars and workshops for

stakeholders (including government departments and professional institutions) and

13



supported non-governmental organisations in organising education and publicity activities.

(g) The “HK RE Net” (http://re.emsd.gov.hk/), launched in December 2007, has been

providing comprehensive information on various RE technologies to the public with a view to facilitating their adoption, and has attracted more than 302,000 visitors.

(2) To establish by 2006 a policy on the

installation of RE facilities as part of new government buildings and major public sector projects.

The Government issued a circular on “Adoption of Energy Efficient Features and Renewable Energy Technologies in Government Projects and Installations” in 2005. The circular requires all works departments to apply energy efficient features and RE technologies in government projects and installations where feasible, and requires works departments to regularly report progress (http://www.devb.gov.hk/filemanager/technicalcirculars/en/upload/22/1/C-2005-16-0-1.pdf).

(3) To work with the power companies on arrangements for simplifying procedures for RE suppliers to gain access to the existing electricity grid, with the aim of having appropriate procedures in place in the post 2008 electricity market, and to encourage them to use RE sources for power generation.

(a) EMSD revised the “Technical Guidelines on Grid Connection of Renewable Energy Power Systems” in December 2007, providing guidance on technical aspects of connecting RE systems of capacity up to 1MW to the electricity grid (http://re.emsd.gov.hk/english/gen/grid/grid_tech.html).

(b) Both power companies published documents providing information on the application procedure for connection by small RE systems to their grids. Requirements and procedures have been made available in the Internet (https://www.clpgroup.com/ourcompany/aboutus/resourcecorner/publications/documents/re%20systems%20and%20clp's%20electricity%20grid%20(final)_eng.pdf and http://www.heh.com/hehWeb/CommercialAndIndustrialServices/OpenAccountAndServiceRequest/ConnectingRenewableEnergyPowerSystemtoGrid/Index_en.htm).

(c) Under the post-2008 Scheme of Control Agreements

14



(http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/resources_publications/agreement/index.html) signed between the Government and each of the two power companies in early January 2008, the power companies enjoy a higher (11%) permitted rate of return for their investment in RE facilities. A bonus of 0.01 to 0.05 percentage point in permitted return will be offered in accordance with the extent of RE usage in their electricity generation. The power companies have already formulated standardised arrangement for back-up power supply for customers with embedded RE systems in Hong Kong.

(4) To draw up by 2007 a sustainable

energy policy that has regard to measures aimed at promoting the use of RE and encouraging energy efficiency and conservation.

(a) Under the post-2008 SCAs, provisions have been put in place to encourage the two power companies to adopt more usage of RE (which have been outlined above), and energy efficiency and conservation measures. For energy conservation, the performance of the power companies will be assessed based on the number of energy audits they perform for customers and the actual energy saved. A maximum award of 0.02 percentage point in permitted return will be given. Both power companies have set up a loan fund (CLP: $25 million per annum; HEC: $12.5 million per annum) over a five-year period (amounting up to $125 million and $62.5 million in total) to provide loans to non-government customers to implement energy saving initiatives identified in energy audits to promote energy efficiency. They have also set up an education fund (CLP: $5 million per annum; HEC: $2.5 million per annum) for energy efficiency and promotion activities. This fund is administered by the power companies involving representation from key stakeholders.

(b) A mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (the Scheme) for energy-using

products was introduced in the first half of 2008 after the enactment of the relevant legislation. Five types of appliances, namely room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances, compact fluorescent lamps, washing machines and dehumidifiers, have been included in the Scheme in phases to facilitate the public in choosing more energy-efficient products.

15



(http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pee/eels_mandate.shtml). The second phase of the Scheme will be fully implemented in September 2011.

(c) To improve the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings, Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance was enacted in November 2010 to mandate the implementation of the Building Energy Codes. The Ordinance will commence operation by phases.

16

III. Urban Living Space



(1) To speed up improvements to the environment of older urban areas through a “people-oriented” approach and the flexible deployment of the “4R” strategy – redevelopment, rehabilitation, preservation and revitalisation.

(a) The Development Bureau (DEVB) issued the new Urban Renewal Strategy (URS) entitled “People First: A District-based and Public Participatory Approach to Urban Renewal” on 24 February 2011. This revised strategy was drawn up after an extensive 3-stage public consultation between July 2008 and June 2010. A revised draft text of the URS was issued for public consultation between mid October and mid December 2010.

(b) The new URS is a government strategy. The implementation of which should be undertaken by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and the other stakeholders/participants (see item C(1) below).

(2) To plan and further develop the New Territories, taking account of stakeholder concerns on sustainability issues such as the need to protect the natural environment and cultural characteristics of rural areas, while having regard to Hong Kong’s long-term socio-economic needs.

This strategic objective has been taken on board in the HK 2030 Study (http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/p_study/comp_s/hk2030/eng/home/index.htm) conducted by the Planning Department (PlanD) and would continue to be followed up by PlanD and Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in the on-going and forthcoming studies, including the Planning and Engineering Study on the North East New Territories (NENT) New Development Areas (NDAs) (http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/projects/major/ntw/index.htm) which commenced in June 2008 and the Planning and Engineering Study on Hung Shui Kiu NDA which is scheduled for commencement in the third quarter of 2011 (http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/projects/major/ntw/index.htm).

17



(3) To promote sustainable urban planning and design practices that will ensure that Hong Kong will be an attractive and enjoyable place in which to live and work.

This objective is achieved through the continuous application of sustainable urban design guidelines set out in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) (http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/tech_doc/hkpsg/full/index.htm) in planning studies, plan making and development control process.

B. Targets

(1) To regenerate older urban districts by taking full account of the need for economic viability whilst emphasizing the importance of open space provision and retaining local socio-cultural characteristics and heritage buildings.

(a) Under the Government’s new URS, urban renewal is not a “slash and burn” process. A comprehensive and holistic approach should be adopted to rejuvenate older urban areas by way of redevelopment, rehabilitation, revitalisation and heritage preservation (the 4R strategy).

(b) Implementation of the URS should be undertaken by the URA, as well as the other stakeholders/participants to achieve a better balance and coordination among the 4Rs. These will include related government bureaux and departments, relevant District Councils, the Hong Kong Housing Society, the private sector (property owners, developers), individual owners, professionals and non-governmental organisations. The URS will guide the URA in its preparation of its draft corporate plans.

18



(2) To clarify the relative social, economic and environmental considerations that would need to be addressed in further developing the New Territories, so that stakeholders can regularly give informed views on the merits of development options.

Extensive public engagement exercises, as well as a multi-step evaluation process to take full account of social, economic and environmental considerations, has become established practice for PlanD and CEDD in carrying out planning and engineering studies like those for the development of NDAs. Through this process, the public would be adequately informed of the merits and demerits of different development options. This would facilitate stakeholders to formulate their views on a sound basis (http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/pub_con/index.html). The Stage One and Stage Two Public Engagement of the NENT NDAs Study were completed in early 2009 and 2010 respectively. The Stage One Community Engagement of the Hung Shui Kiu Planning and Engineering Study has commenced in advance of the Study since November 2010, so that public views collected can be considered in the Study upon its commencement. We shall continue to engage the public on the discussion of sustainable development for the planning of the NDAs.

(3) To maintain and to review on a regular basis guidelines governing sustainable urban planning and design, with special regard to issues such as buildings affecting view corridors or restricting air flow and the need to proceed in a manner consistent with the overall sustainable development strategy for Hong Kong.

The Town Planning Board (TPB) Guidelines for Submission of Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) were promulgated in July 2010. The purpose of the Guidelines is to provide guidance on the general requirements for preparing VIA submissions in support of applications to TPB so that sufficient information on the potential visual impact of the proposed development to the surrounding areas will be presented to facilitate TPB’s decision on the applications.

C. Plan of Action

(1) To consult stakeholders on guidelines for revitalisation and

Under the new URS, a new advisory platform, District Urban Renewal Forum (DURF), will be set up to strengthen urban renewal planning at the district level. DURF will

19



redevelopment of older urban areas for inclusion in the Urban Renewal Strategy by 2006, and to publicise the document widely.

advise the Government on district-based urban renewal initiatives from a holistic and integrated perspective, including advice on regeneration and redevelopment areas, preservation targets, and implementation models. In the process, DURF will conduct broad-based public engagement activities and various planning and related studies, including social impact assessments.

(2) In the context of the “HK 2030” study, to explain clearly the sustainability implications for further development of the New Territories, with a view to having a framework for sustainable detailed planning through stakeholder consultation in place by 2006.

The three-step evaluation framework developed for the HK2030 Study has helped ensure that social, economic and environmental considerations as well as public views have been given due regard throughout the study process. The HK2030 Study Final Report, together with relevant papers (including the Strategic Environmental Assessment Report and Report on Sustainability Assessment), are available for public’s inspection (http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/p_study/comp_s/hk2030/eng/finalreport/). PlanD will continue to explain the sustainability implications to the public and stakeholders in other planning and development studies.

(3) To continue to implement and keep under review the current guidelines on sustainable urban design.

This is a continuous and on-going process.

(4) Having regard to the effectiveness of measures to promote sustainable building design features, to consider further enhancing sustainable building design guidelines, with a view to drawing up recommendations for improvement, including an assessment of the implications of setting mandatory

The Buildings Department commissioned a consultancy study on “Building Design that Supports Sustainable Urban Living Space in Hong Kong”, to promote building design features that support sustainable urban living space. Views of the public and the industry on the recommendations of the study were solicited through the Public Engagement Process on “Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment” conducted by SDC between June and October 2009 (http://www.susdev.org.hk/en/home.html). SDC submitted its report on the Public Engagement Process on 25 June 2010. In light of the recommendations of SDC, the Government publicised its response to the recommendations in October 2010

20



requirements in this area by 2007.

(http://www.susdev.org.hk/download/admin_response_eng.pdf) and decided to implement a package of measures to foster a quality and sustainable built environment. The practice notes stipulating the detailed modus operandi of the measures were promulgated on 31 January 2011 and will come into operation on 1 April 2011.

council for sustainable development overview of the …

Documents