ENG-2007 — Page 322

270 The Environment

As a member of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Hong Kong pledged, in October 2007, to honour the commitment made in the Sydney APEC Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development and seeks to achieve a reduction in its energy intensity of at least 25 per cent by 2030 from its 2005 level. To actively participate in the global efforts, Hong Kong joined the 'C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group' in October 2007 to share experience with other major cities in combating climate change.

Energy Efficiency

Improving energy efficiency help address the growing concerns of climate change and local air quality. The total energy consumption at end-use level in Hong Kong in 2005 was 286 255 TJ, with residential, commercial, industrial and the transport sector consuming 19 per cent, 37 per cent, 8 per cent and 36 per cent of the energy respectively. The Energy Efficiency Office of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has implemented a range of programmes and initiatives to promote efficient use of energy, including implementing a number of voluntary energy efficiency registration schemes, promoting water-cooled air-conditioning systems and promoting effective energy management methods.

The Government has set an example to the community on energy efficiency. With the concerted efforts of bureaux and departments, the Government's total normalised electricity consumption in 2006-07 was reduced by around seven per cent as compared with 2002-03, equivalent to an electricity saving of 148 GWh and a carbon dioxide emission reduction of about 103 600 tonnes.

To further promote the use of energy-efficient products, the Legislative Council enacted the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance on April 30, 2008 which introduced a mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme. The initial phase of the mandatory scheme covers room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances and compact fluorescent lamps.

Buildings account for 89 per cent of electricity consumption. Since 1998, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has been operating the Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme for Buildings to promote voluntary compliance with the Building Energy Codes. Up to November 2007, about 800 building venues have been registered. As voluntary compliance with the Building Energy Codes appears not to be forthcoming, the Government launched a three-month public consultation on proposed mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes on December 28, 2007.

In 'A First Sustainable Development Strategy for Hong Kong', the Government set a target of generating one to two per cent of Hong Kong's total electricity supply from renewable sources by 2012. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's two power companies are making progress in their attempts to use clean energy to produce electricity. Hongkong Electric Company Limited started operating its wind turbine on Lamma Island in 2006. Both companies are conducting Environmental Impact Assessment studies for building off-shore commercial wind farms in Hong Kong waters.