Restoring Blue Skies:
Review of the Policy Agenda on Air Pollution
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

April 2008
 

(Full Paper)

Synopsis of ideas and recommendations
Introduction

One: Global citizenship
Two: Cooperation with the Mainland
Three: Energy policy
Four: Demand-side Management
 

32.   In our response to the public engagement exercise by the Council for Sustainable Development, we have expressed support for the promotion of energy efficiency through public education and transparency of information, such as a more effective regime in energy efficiency labeling.  Since energy efficiency translates into monetary savings, we have advocated the market mechanism, rather than mandatory measures, as the primary means for promoting energy efficient appliances.  Government has a facilitating role in enhancing industry contribution to energy efficiency, for example, through providing more support in brand promotion and development of energy-related industries and services.

33.     For more practical demand-side management (DSM) programmes, we propose that a two-prong strategy targeted towards both power plants and consumers be adopted.  For power plants, initiatives such as energy efficiency, peak clipping and load shifting programmes have been promoted for some time and have produced tangible results.  To take these programmes further, more ambitious targets may be considered to encourage delivery of greater energy saving.  Further incentive schemes should be devised to encourage power companies to actively support end-user efficiency and thereby ensuring that there will not be excessive generating capacity over the long term. (17)

34.   Engaging the public on the benefits of energy saving and efficiency will be as important as, if not more important than, mandatory measures.  Besides the energy efficiency labeling schemes, we would advocate a community-wide promotion of responsible electricity consumption.  This should include a four-prong campaign, namely:

  • a ��Better-Off�� campaign to encourage households and workplaces to switch off electrical appliances which are not in use;  (18)
  • a ��Save Electricity�� educational programme to encourage the use of less power-consuming appliances; and  (19)
  • the promotion of voluntary adoption of temperature control for air conditioning, e.g. 25.5C ;   (20)
  • promotion of green buildings and green roofing by the HKSAR Government in conjunction with the building industry through, among other things, engagement with the World Green Building Council. (21)
 
Five: Infrastructure and urban planning
Six: Sustainable transport
Seven: Green procurement
Eight: Pollution tracking
Nine: Transparency and reporting
Ten: Building human capital for sustainability

The Way Forward

(Full Paper)