(27 February 2019, Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) welcomes the Financial Secretary’s initiatives on environmental protection and green finance in the 2019/20 Budget released today.
HKGBC’s responses on the proposed initiatives are as follows:
Environmental Protection
The HKGBC welcomes the additional $1 billion for Government departments to install renewable energy facilities at Government buildings, venues and community facilities. The initiative shares the same value of HKGBC in fortifying the green built environment and BEAM Plus certification in town, hastens the achievement of the Government’s carbon reduction and energy saving targets.
To improve air quality, developing clean energy vehicle (EV) has become a global trend. BEAM Plus New Buildings and Existing Buildings under the BEAM Plus assessment has long been advocating the importance of parking spaces and charging facilities for EVs. Providing a smart parking system can also reduce unnecessary driving of vehicles around the carpark while searching for parking spaces. Undoubtedly, HKGBC is delighted with the Government’s determination in bolstering the EV’s adoption. Other than exploring ways to encourage the installation of EV charging facilities at car parks in existing buildings, the Government spearheads the movement by allocating $120 million to extend the public EV charging networks at government car parks.
Green Finance
HKGBC is looking forward to the inaugural issuance of government green bonds, which shall encourage the relevant sectors to incorporate green elements into corporate governance and operation in a more effective manner. HKGBC encourages green bond issuers to participate in BEAM Plus assessment for third-party certifications on building projects’ or assets’ environmental performance, which would greatly enhance stakeholders’ confidence and the attractiveness of green financial instruments.
The HKGBC is anticipating a strong support for the Budget from all stakeholders from the construction industry, professional institutions, green groups, NGOs, community organisations, academia and LegCo members for a concerted effort to foster a greener Hong Kong.
To learn more about the HKGBC, please visit www.hkgbc.org.hk.