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160 Green Cars On Way

Mar 21st, 2009
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Staff Reporter. SCMP – Mar 21, 2009

About HK$112 million will be spent to replace 401 government vehicles, or 6 per cent of the government vehicle fleet, in the next financial year, according to the Government Logistics Department.

The department said all 401 replacements would comply with the relevant emission standards.

About 160 cars and three buses will meet the Environmental Protection Department’s qualifying standards for tax incentives for environmentally friendly vehicles.

In a written reply to questions by legislators on expenditure estimates, the department said the replacement vehicles included 160 cars, 79 motorcycles, 70 vans, and some buses, four-wheel drives and trucks.

The department justified the spending by saying that it would not be cost-effective to maintain the existing vehicles, even though 355 of them could still be operated.

It also said the government would give priority to environmentally friendly vehicles when buying new vehicles and would also consider buying more electric vehicles when suitable models became available on the market.

At present, 612 of the government’s 6,303 vehicles are environmentally friendly.

They include 371 cars, 229 liquefied petroleum gas light buses and 12 electric scooters.

The government has placed orders for 230 environmentally friendly vehicles which are expected to be delivered this year and next.

Residents Struggle With Glare As Light Pollution Spreads To Tseung Kwan O

Mar 16th, 2009
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Cheung Chi-fai, SCMP – Updated on Mar 16, 2009

Light pollution has spread to the outskirts of the city, with hundreds of residents complaining about glare from excessive advertising lighting at a recently renovated shopping mall in Tseung Kwan O.

Residents of Yan Ming Court have been doing everything they can to block the light from the signs on the Metro City shopping mall, which faces the residential block.

Some have been keeping their curtains closed, and one resident has taken the extra step of placing a board next to his bed to block the light that still manages to seep through.

Local politicians and representatives of the green group Friends of the Earth have received numerous complaints since September last year, when the mall placed 12 brightly lit sign boards, each measuring about five storeys, around the mall.

The new fixtures replaced a collection of advertising banners that had been illuminated by spotlights.

When the mall was trying to find clients to rent the boards, the lights were left on until midnight. The mall eventually decided to switch them off at 11pm, but residents still found the glare too bright and wasteful.

“Some of the boards are located in places where few shoppers pass by,” Sai Kung district councillor Ng Ping-yiu said. “No one would ever look up at the boards when they are walking under them. The only audience is the residents who have to live facing them.”

Mr Ng said complaints had been filed with the Environmental Protection Department, though little could be done because there were no laws governing such lighting.

After repeated complaints, Henderson Land Development, which owns the mall, agreed to switch off the boards at 10.30pm. It also said it would consider decreasing the intensity of the light, though no changes have been made.

Mr Ng said he was worried that other malls in the district might adopt the mall’s lighting system as competition for shoppers intensified. He said he was hoping that a system for consultations and stakeholder meetings could be set up so residents and developers would have a chance to talk whenever new signage was being planned.

Cheng Sze-ling, environment affairs officer of Friends of the Earth, said the problem of light pollution was no longer restricted to developed and commercial areas such as Mong Kok or Causeway Bay; it had spread to residential areas in new towns. “Light pollution is no longer endemic but has evolved into an infectious disease across the city,” she said.

The group would organise a seminar for local politicians to help them understand light pollution and ways of handling it, she said. It would also publish a guide on the subject.

In response to press inquiries, a spokeswoman for Henderson Land Development said the company had studied dimming the glare by cutting the number of lights and would follow up on the findings shortly.

A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said the department had received eight complaints regarding light nuisances relating to Metro City mall. He said officials had been sent to the scene and had spoken to the mall’s owner to minimise nuisances.

“We have encouraged them to adhere to this arrangement and to consider using lamps that were less bright,” he said.

Tenants Won’t Pay For Green Office

Feb 20th, 2009
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Olga Wong, SCMP – Feb 20, 2009

More than half of grade A office tenants are not willing to lease green space at higher rents despite the fact that such features save on work costs, a survey has found.

The survey also found 40 per cent of tenants would pay higher rents if the increase were not too much – not more than 20 per cent of the price of offices without green features such as power-efficient lighting and air conditioning, and more natural light.

Global real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle polled 20 major local developers and 80 grade A office tenants last summer. It was conducted to identify problems in promoting the city’s green buildings. No margin of error was provided in the survey.

“Although occupiers understand that it is more costly for developers or landlords to build and operate green buildings, many of them are not prepared to pay more for these premises,” said Marcos Chan Kam-ping, Jone Lang LaSalle’s greater Pearl Delta area research chief.

The survey showed 40 per cent of tenants would not pay more to lease an office in a green building and 13 per cent added that they should pay lower rents.Mr Chan said the survey did not ask why tenants wanted to pay less for a green office.

If the rent on an office with green amenities is 20 per cent higher than that of an office without such features, the survey found that no tenant is willing to rent it. However, 40 per cent said they would if the rent was 10 per cent higher.

Eighty per cent of developers had no mission statement on sustainable properties although commercial buildings consume 66 per cent of the city’s electricity. Seventy per cent said the major hurdle in adopting green measures was the high initial capital cost and the length of time before any returns could be seen.

Mr Chan urged the government to use more incentives to encourage developers to design more green buildings. “In the US, green building plans enjoy a faster approval procedure. This benefits developers, especially when the property market is going up,” he said.

William Lai Hon-ming, the firm’s head of property management, said conducting an energy audit helped companies save on costs. “Few know that using a water-cooled air-conditioning system can save at least 20 per cent of energy costs and the capital cost can be recovered in five years,” he said.

Dim It Event Plans Longer City Blackout

Feb 16th, 2009
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Tiffany Lam, SCMP – Updated on Feb 16, 2009

Those who scoff at the idea of spotting constellations from light-washed Victoria Harbour may be proved wrong on the city’s biggest lights-out night in June, a green group said yesterday. Last year’s Dim It campaign, the largest lights-out event in Hong Kong with more than 140 landmark buildings participating, would be repeated with redoubled vigour on June 21, Friends of the Earth said.

Besides stretching the event to two hours, the green group will also invite astronomy clubs to provide telescopes to the public on the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Constellations such as Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius and Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) – usually washed out by the city’s light pollution – were visible from both banks of Victoria Harbour when the lights went off for an hour last year, dimming the harbour by 32 per cent, Friends of the Earth said.

“We estimate that more than 200 buildings will participate this year, and we hope more homes will turn off their lights too,” group director Edwin Lau Che-feng said.

“It’s a great feeling to witness the familiar constellations emerging when you can only see a few stars usually,”Leung Kam-cheung, head of International Year of Astronomy 2009 Hong Kong League, said.

Mr Leung appealed for more enthusiasts to bring out their star-gazing gear on that night to give people a chance to see the stars. The league’s last sidewalk event attracted up to 10,000 star-gazers and more than 80 telescopes, he said.

More lights turned off, for a longer period, should increase the visibility of stars this year, although visibility also depended on air pollution and weather conditions, Mr Lau said.

This year’s Dim It event coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day in the year. “It is a time when energy use peaks, and it gives Hong Kong citizens a time to rethink [their lifestyle],” he said.

He urged the government to speed up light-pollution legislation.

Friends of the Earth urged companies that took part last year, turning off their billboard and building lighting, to do so again and invited more corporations to join this year.

One and Two IFC, Bank of China Tower and the Legislative Council building all participated last year.

The nightly Symphony of Lights show, hailed as the world’s largest by Guinness World Records, will halt for Dim It, said Mr Lau, who described the blackout as an “alternative tourist experience”.

The sidewalk star-gazing event on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade will be enlivened by photographic exhibitions and live performances, and is expected to draw up to 10,000 people. Dim It will start at 8pm.

Stargazing Event To Show Wonders Of The Universe

Feb 7th, 2009
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Cheung Chi-fai, SCMP – Updated on Feb 07, 2009

The largest collective stargazing activity ever organised on the harbourfront will be held this evening to kick off a series of events to mark International Year Astronomy 2009. About 100 telescopes will be placed along Avenue of Stars on the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront promenade at 6pm, giving members of the public a chance to get a glimpse of the universe.

The event is organised by the IYA 2009 Hong Kong League, a coalition of astronomy groups and amateur stargazers who want to popularise the activity among Hongkongers.

“Stargazing has become a hot topic and more people have been talking about it after the first Chinese spacewalk mission. It will be good for us to keep up the momentum,” said Leung Kam-cheung, spokesman for the league.

Similar activities might be held in each of the 18 districts, if the right venues could be located, to give the public a better opportunity to learn what stargazing was about, he said.

The climax of the celebrations would be a “star party” for 1,000 people at the end of this year at the Sai Kung Astropark, now under construction next to a water sports centre near the High Island Reservoir.

The park, the first of its kind in the city, will provide permanent facilities for stargazers and education materials for the public.

Although worsening air and light pollution were the biggest obstacles to stargazers in the city, most people were actually very curious and interested in astronomy, Mr Leung said.

“Many of them had thought there were no stars or planets visible from our city, and were very surprised when we pointed out that Venus and Jupiter could be seen with the naked eye,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it is tragic that most Hong Kong people have lost their clear night sky to light pollution and haze. They can hardly see eight stars in the sky, let alone a galaxy.”

Mr Leung said the league would continue to talk to the government about setting up “night sky conservation zones” – areas where light pollution would be restricted – within country parks, or in the vicinity of the Astropark, to be managed by the Space Museum.

He said one of its key aims this year was to minimise light pollution in the city.

Those Who Dare May Gain

Jan 21st, 2009
by AdminCTA.
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David Chan, SCMP – Updated on Jan 21, 2009

Investment opportunities remain in the mainland property market despite the effects of the global financial crisis, and one emerging asset class that may reward investors are “green” buildings.

Part of the 4 billion yuan (HK$4.54 billion) stimulus package unveiled recently was earmarked for the development of greener buildings running on lower-polluting energy supplies and built with an eye to conservation and an environmentally friendly infrastructure.

What we may see in the near future are very different greener properties being developed which may offer interesting new investment opportunities.

Indeed, many recent homebuyer surveys indicate that green projects offering greater energy efficiency are becoming key deciding factors and this trend should encourage the development of a “green is good” approach to development across China.

It is worth noting that the initiatives are considered to go much further than provisions contained in Hong Kong’s proposed energy code which is scheduled for a first reading in the Legislative Council some time this year.

As always the three rules of property investment – location, location, location – also still apply.

However, investors should proceed with caution and an eye on the timing of their entry into the market because the general consensus is the mainland, Hong Kong and the rest of the world will experience a deep economic recession this year.

Less certain is how long the downturn will last and how severe it will be although by one measure – jobs – analysts are forecasting that unemployment in Hong Kong could reach 6 per cent this year.

The property sector is no exception to the list of casualties, with demand and prices dropping across the board.

So what will be the property investment outlook for the Year of the Ox?

First, it is important to bear in mind that the downturn has affected China with recent reports indicating that gross domestic product growth will slow this year to possibly below 8 per cent. This has already triggered declines of up to 30 per cent in property prices for commercial and residential markets in tier-one cities, and 20 per cent in tier-two cities.

In Hong Kong, we have seen an even greater drop of 40 per cent in luxury stock and up to 30 per cent in the mass market.

For example, China Vanke (the mainland’s largest residential developer by market capitalisation) has cut prices of projects in Guangzhou by 30 per cent and has also either slowed or suspended indefinitely construction on some projects to reduce inventory levels.

During the last downturn to affect Hong Kong – the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in 2003 – property prices fell precipitously. Those buyers confident that the market would rebound used the opportunity to buy and as a result were rewarded with impressive gains as property prices rose to record highs last year.

So, presuming you are able to stay employed and have built up a nest egg over the last few years could this experience be repeated?

“Green” investment themes aside, location should continue to head investor’s shopping lists and Shanghai should not be dismissed since the 2010 World Expo will generate renewed interest in the property market. The completion of an upgraded and extended transport infrastructure (and more to come), will make property along the new metro stations attractive.

It is worth noting that the capacity of the Hongqiao airport will be vastly expanded by the completion of a second terminal building, enhancing its status as an air transport hub.

In Beijing, the areas which have been developed by Soho China are also of interest as is the site of the 2008 Olympic Games which is likely to be preserved as a landmark with its impressive bird’s nest stadium and water cube aquatic centre. This should have a knock-on effect for the neighbouring residential market.

Southward, development along the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, connecting Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shenzhen in Guangdong province to Hong Kong, should be followed.

When completed, the expected travel time between Guangzhou and Hong Kong will be cut to 48 minutes.

In Shenzhen, the Baoan Airport railway link should help to transform the airport from primarily a domestic operation into an international hub, adding potential investment opportunities around the locality.

Conversely, it may prompt the Hong Kong government to reconsider the environmentally destructive plan for a third runway at Chek Lap Kok.

For second-tier cities, investors could look westward at Chengdu where the government has earmarked 260 billion yuan for rebuilding work for the region with the city as the centre of development activities.

While China will be affected by events internationally, it is worth noting that world economies are all interconnected and hence the flow of funds goes to markets offering relatively better stability and sounder economic prospects.

With the United States and Europe already into deep and possibly prolonged recession, China remains a comparatively better investment market in which fund managers may park their assets in the medium and longer term.

There is no escaping the economic downturn which is likely to affect Hong Kong and the mainland this year. However, returns are likely to be on offer for those investing in a quality project across the border.

The ox might still turn into a bull this year for those who dare.

David Chan is an architect and a partner of China-based property consultancy DKL Partners

Kwai Chung College Gives Green Light To Solar Power

Jan 17th, 2009
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Colleen Lee, SCMP – Jan 17, 2009

A secondary school in Kwai Chung is to go green and use solar energy to power lighting on two of its floors from April.

Wong Shiu-hung, principal of the Kwai Chung Methodist College, said he expected the initiative to cut about 30 per cent of the school’s electricity bill of more than HK$300,000 a year.

“I hope the project can be tied up with the studies of physics, geography and integrated science as it involves environmental protection and the conversion of the sun’s energy into electricity,” he said.

“Students and visitors can see how it works and learn more about solar power.”

He said exhibition boards would be put up to explain the application of solar energy and how common it was in the city.

Mr Wong said that by training students to act as guides, he wanted to arouse pupils’ interest in and public awareness of green power.

The project was funded by the government under the Environment and Conservation Fund at a cost of HK$499,728.

The Legislative Council’s finance committee injected HK$1 billion into the fund last year to support green projects by local non-profit making groups, including schools.

Mr Wong said 36 solar panels, measuring 136.5cm by 98cm each, would be fitted on the roof of the school’s old wing by early April to convert light from the sun into electricity. He said these could power the lighting of the upper two floors of the four-storey building. The lighting of corridors and 16 classrooms would be supplied by solar energy on sunny days and by CLP Power (SEHK: 0002) on other days, he said.

The operating cost of the facility was low and its eight batteries, at about HK$2,600 each, would need replacing about every seven years.

A weather station would also be set up on the roof to measure the temperature and humidity.

Switch On To Green Lifestyle

Jan 10th, 2009
by AdminCTA.
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SCMP – Updated on Jan 10, 2009

A number of your correspondents have written to these columns about energy saving light bulbs.

These light bulbs are collected for recycling in Hong Kong. Improper disposal may lead to pollution. However, proper use and disposal leads to massive environmental advantages – saving energy, saving the Earth’s limited resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Also, ordinary light bulbs generate more heat and in the hot weather this leads to increased energy consumption by air conditioners. I was in Britain in October and one large supermarket chain was selling a limited supply of energy saving bulbs for the equivalent of HK$1 instead of the usual HK$25.

In Hong Kong there is no excuse for people not to try to work harder to reduce energy use and live a greener life.

W. K. Yau, Tai Po

Complaints Over Lights Double

Jan 8th, 2009
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Martin Wong, SCMP – 8 Jan 09

Complaints over lights have doubled, the environmental secretary revealed yesterday. Edward Yau Tang-wah said the number of light-pollution complaints was 82 last year, compared with 40 in 2007 and 35 in 2006. In view of energy wastage, the government would launch a consultancy study, exchange views with environmental protection groups, and assess the feasibility of regulating external lighting this year, Mr Yau said.

Officials Cave In To Big Business

Jan 7th, 2009
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SCMP – Updated on Jan 07, 2009

The letter from Dave Ho, of the Environmental Protection Department (“Comprehensive measures to clean up air”, December 29), misses the point completely.

Discussing endlessly whether one monitoring system is better than another or whether it is easier for an ordinary resident to understand the figures when he or she is choking due to poor air quality is largely irrelevant. The government’s reticence to ban high-sulfur fuels from the special administrative region is a major pollution issue in Hong Kong. These fuels, which are banned in many places including, I understand, the US, Bangkok and Singapore, are cheap, but environmentally damaging.

The reason I believe the government has taken no action to ban them is the pressure from big business and fear that some trade may be lost to Shenzhen on a cost basis. So, once again, we are sacrificing the health of Hong Kong people for the potential profits of a few businessmen who then fly out as soon as they can to less-polluted places. So much for a “people’s government” and Asia’s “world city”.

Nick Bilcliffe, Lamma

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