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Secondly, on measures to conserve energy, have we compared the effects before and after the adoption of energy conservation measures? How much electricity and energy consumption can be brought about by adopting such conservation measures?
Thirdly, we have five Green Managers and Assistant Green Managers, have they received professional training, say in building maintenance and environmental protection?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):--In terms of figures, the electricity consumption of the Council is certain to be higher than general business accounts because we have a large number of facilities such as markets, playgrounds and multi-usage offices. I am sure the consumption of electricity has been high. As the Council has tried to provide new facilities year after year, the total electricity consumption is bound to go up. Naturally, increases in facilities and energy consumption are directly proportional to each other. I agree to make a comparison of the electricity consumption before and after implementation of conservation guidelines. I don't have information at this stage and I will supply details to Mr. CHAN after the meeting.
Concerning the Green Manager, the post is now taken up by the Secretary of USD. A number of Assistant Green Managers went through environmental assessment training courses. On completion of courses, they became capable of carrying out environmental assessment work internally. I believe they are able to cope.
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese):—I still cannot agree with the Chairman of the Administration Select Committee about his reply on the use of solar energy. He mentioned that the use of solar energy for water heating has been studied, but it was found to be not cost effective. The problem is that consideration was given only to figures on paper and economic principles, but not the environmental costs. Apart from use of solar energy for water heating, consideration should also be given to outdoor solar energy facilities for saving energy in the day time and using it for illumination in the evenings. Such measures are already in use in foreign countries. We can also study the feasibility of using wind to generate electricity. These reduce dependence on electricity.
On the other hand, we did not in the past make environmental auditing. Maybe such work has more demands on certain environment items. Can we just simply evaluate the environment cost on the use of energy for future planning and incorporation of environmental protection standards?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):--Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung has probably misunderstood the answer in paragraph 7 of the reply. I did not rule out the use of solar energy facilities. I was saying that solar heating facilities may not be suitable for use in various venues managed by the Council. I gave an example of the use of solar energy in respect of water heating and suggested
Page 29 of 498
Page 29 of 498
Page 29 of 498
Page 29 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
29
Secondly, on measures to conserve energy, have we compared the effects before and after the adoption of energy conservation measures? How much electricity and energy consumption can be brought about by adopting such conservation measures?
Thirdly, we have five Green Managers and Assistant Green Managers, have they received professional training, say in building maintenance and environmental protection?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):--In terms of figures, the electricity consumption of the Council is certain to be higher than general business accounts because we have a large number of facilities such as markets, playgrounds and multi-usage offices. I am sure the consumption of electricity has been high. As the Council has tried to provide new facilities year after year, the total electricity consumption is bound to go up. Naturally, increases in facilities and energy consumption are directly proportional to each other. I agree to make a comparison of the electricity consumption before and after implementation of conservation guidelines. I don't have information at this stage and I will supply details to Mr. CHAN after the meeting.
Concerning the Green Manager, the post is now taken up by the Secretary of USD. A number of Assistant Green Managers went through environmental assessment training courses. On completion of courses, they became capable of carrying out environmental assessment work internally. I believe they are able to cope.
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese):—I still cannot agree with the Chairman of the Administration Select Committee about his reply on the use of solar energy. He mentioned that the use of solar energy for water heating has been studied, but it was found to be not cost effective. The problem is that consideration was given only to figures on paper and economic principles, but not the environmental costs. Apart from use of solar energy for water heating, consideration should also be given to outdoor solar energy facilities for saving energy in the day time and using it for illumination in the evenings. Such measures are already in use in foreign countries. We can also study the feasibility of using wind to generate electricity. These reduce dependence on electricity.
On the other hand, we did not in the past make environmental auditing. Maybe such work has more demands on certain environment items. Can we just simply evaluate the environment cost on the use of energy for future planning and incorporation of environmental protection standards?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):--Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung has probably misunderstood the answer in paragraph 7 of the reply. I did not rule out the use of solar energy facilities. I was saying that solar heating facilities may not be suitable for use in various venues managed by the Council. I gave an example of the use of solar energy in respect of water heating and suggested
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