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February, 2009:

Failure to Dump Polluting Vehicles

Tax-break plan fails to put more green cars on the road

Few take up cost-saving scheme to dump polluting vehicles

Daniel Sin – Updated on Feb 22, 2009 – SCMP

Tax breaks offered to buyers of environmentally friendly vehicles in an effort to improve air quality have failed, Environmental Protection Department figures show.

In fact, the value of tax discounts given under one scheme is just 15 per cent of what the government forecast when it was launched in April last year.

That scheme allows buyers of commercial vehicles to save between 30 and 100 per cent of first registration tax if they bought various classes of goods vehicles, taxis, light buses or non-franchised buses that meet the Euro V emissions standards.

Just 196 vehicles have been registered under the scheme, representing tax forgone by the government of HK$4 million, as opposed to the HK$26 million annual budget for the programme.

There are more than 150,000 commercial vehicles registered in the city.

It was the third such scheme put in place since Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen promised to reduce emissions in his October 2006 policy address.

The first, which began in April 2007, offered cash grants of between HK$17,000 and HK$173,000 to people who replaced their old commercial vehicles with new, more fuel-efficient ones.

Of the HK$3.2 billion committed to that initiative, just HK$451 million has been granted for 10,763 applications. There were 74,367 vehicles eligible for that grant.

The second scheme targeted petrol-powered private cars. It offered a 30 per cent reduction in first registration tax, up to HK$50,000, if people bought environmentally friendly cars.

With 420,729 private cars on the roads, just 6,763 applications have been approved. The cost of the scheme was about HK$160 million.

Even the government was not interested in its own green tax-break scheme, with just 600 environmentally friendly vehicles among its fleet of 5,236.

Friends of the Earth environmental affairs officer Angus Wong Chung-yin said the schemes were failing because they offered only “carrots” and no “sticks”.

As a result, there was nothing to encourage vehicle owners to scrap their polluting vehicles.

“That explains why the response has been low,” he said.

On the commercial vehicle replacement scheme, Mr Wong said that although owners were encouraged to choose low-emission and fuel-efficient models, there was no requirement to take the old ones off the road.

So while newer and cleaner vehicles were hitting the road, their old, smoke-belching predecessors were going into the second-hand market, remaining on the road and continuing to pollute.

An Environment Bureau spokeswoman tried to put a positive spin on the figures, noting that the response to the private car initiative had been encouraging.

“These environment-friendly petrol private cars account for 11 per cent of all newly registered private cars since the introduction of the scheme,” she said.

She blamed the limited availability of Euro V emission-standard commercial vehicles for the low response to the third scheme.

Mr Wong said the government should set a deadline for the phasing out of pre-Euro and Euro I vehicles, and designate low-emission zones where heavily polluting vehicles would be denied access.

“To deal with private cars, the government may require [aged] private cars to be checked twice a year rather than once a year,” he said. “The licence fees of [aged] cars should be increased.”

Hydrogen Fuel From Non-food Sources

February 21st, 2009 – Alternative Energy

Tomorrow our vehicles may derive power by enzymes. These enzymes may originate from the cellulose of woodchips or grass and instead of emitting poisonous gases they will exhale hydrogen. We know that when hydrogen is burned, the only emission it makes is water vapor, so a key benefit of hydrogen fuel is that when burned, carbon dioxide (CO2) is not produced. Clearly, hydrogen is less of a pollutant in the air because it omits little tail pipe pollution. Hydrogen also has the potential to run a fuel-cell engine with better effectiveness over an internal combustion engine.

A team of scientists from Virginia Tech, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Georgia says it has successfully generated hydrogen gas. Normally these kinds of fuels are derived from starch. Jonathan Mielenz, who is the leader of the Bioconversion Science and Technology Group at ORNL, says, “It is exciting because using cellulose instead of starch expands the renewable resource for producing hydrogen to include biomass.”

This hydrogen gas is clean enough to power a fuel cell by combining 14 enzymes, one coenzyme, cellulosic materials from non-eatable sources, and water heated to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C). The researchers utilized cellulosic materials which is isolated from wood chips. But researches also claim that crop waste or switchgrass could also be used for this purpose. These research outcomes are being published in ChemSusChem. The research is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research; Zhang’s DuPont Young Professor Award, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Percival Zhang who is assistant professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, states, “In addition to converting the chemical energy from the sugar, the process also converts the low-temperature thermal energy into high-quality hydrogen energy – like Prometheus stealing fire.” This group declares the benefits of their “one pot” process. The first advantage is they are using a unique combination of enzymes. The second advantage is that hydrogen generation rate is as fast as natural hydrogen fermentation. The third advantage is the chemical energy output is greater than the chemical energy stored in sugars. The maximum hydrogen yield is produced from the cellulosic materials.

Percival Zhang said that if we can utilize a small fraction (two or three percent) of annual biomass production (at global level) for sugar-to-hydrogen fuel cells for transportation, it can lead us to transformational fuel independence. For U.S.A. the figure varies a bit. If U.S. wants to get rid of fossil fuels from transport they actually need to convert about 10 percent of biomass – which would be 1.3 billion tons of usable biomass.

Tenants Won’t Pay For Green Office

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.

Young Prepared To Spend More On Green Energy

Young prepared to spend more on green energy, survey finds

Shi Jiangtao in Beijing – SCMP – Updated on Feb 18, 2009

Urban mainlanders are willing to pay as much as 20 per cent more for cleaner energy to help reduce the country’s reliance on coal, a survey has found.

The Greenpeace China survey, revealing unprecedented awareness among the public about global warming and its environmental and economic impact, came just two days ahead of US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s first official visit to the country.

Climate change is expected to be high on Mrs Clinton’s agenda, making it a new focal point between the world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

Greenpeace China yesterday urged Beijing to heed public opinion and make greater efforts to tackle global warming and pollution.

“There is no excuse for the government not to take this high public acceptance of cleaner energy into consideration and take immediate action to drastically address the threat of global warming by moving away from its heavy reliance on coal towards clean energy,” said campaign director Sze Pang-cheung.

The survey polled 1,175 residents in 10 mainland cities last month, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Harbin, Yinchuan and Linfen in Shanxi province.

Young people said they were more willing to pay for more expensive but environmentally friendly energy, such as wind, solar and nuclear power.

While people aged between 45 and 65 said they would accept a price rise of 17 per cent for cleaner energy, those aged between 15 and 24 said they were willing to pay up to 22 per cent more. Most people blamed industrial production, vehicle emissions, urbanisation and the burning of fossil fuels for global warming.

Climate change was considered one of the top global threats after air and water pollution, with younger people showing greater concern and knowledge of the issue.

People also expressed concern about social stability, the economic crisis, epidemics and poverty.

“The relatively high level of concern [about social breakdown] may be partly explained by wide coverage of social unrest in Tibet and cities across China during the 2008 Olympics,” the study concluded.

While three-quarters of respondents said energy efficient technologies would provide a more reliable and efficient source of power in the long term, 69 per cent said they believed such technologies would help economic growth and 58 per cent said they could create more jobs.

Li Hao of the Ecological Society of China said the findings were encouraging but not surprising.

“They proved once again that Chinese people have a strong sense of responsibility and truly care about the environment because of its impact on health, the economy and their well-being,” she said.

“The government, especially local officials, should pay more attention to people’s concerns.”

Cleaner Fuel For Buses Soon

A significant reduction in the level of pollution is expected in Shanghai soon as a “clean-burning hydrocarbon fuel” will be used to power the city’s buses starting next month, Shanghai’s communication department said. Ten buses fueled by Dimethyl ether (DME) will start serving the city’s No 147 line, running between Hongkou and Yangpu districts from next month. According to Shanghai Urban Construction and Communications Committee, clean and energy-efficient buses are being developed to make the city “greener”. (People’s Daily, 17 Feb)

Dim-it! Friends Want A Clear View Of The Stars

Friends of the Earth wants lights to be switched off on June 21 for stargazers to have a clear view of the star-studded night sky.

Monday, February 16, 2009 – The Standard

Friends of the Earth wants lights to be switched off on June 21 for stargazers to have a clear view of the star-studded night sky. The green group believes there will be 200 buildings on both sides of the harbor taking part in the “Dim-it” campaign from 8pm to 10pm on that summer solstice night.

The group will hold the event with local astronomical groups.

Telescopes will be placed on the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. Other activities include a photo exhibit of stars, a lighting competition and a show on pollution caused by city lights.

“In the long run, we hope the government can set up protected areas for stargazing in country parks so that people do not have to go to the Science Museum to gaze at artificial stars,” International Year of Astronomy 2009 president Leung Kam-cheung said yesterday.

Leung said the sky in the city is 40 times brighter than the suburbs at night, adding that the city glare hinders stargazing. He said more energy used means more particulates emitted by power generation, which also adversely affects astronomical activity.

BONNIE CHEN

Dim It Event Plans Longer City Blackout

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.

Dim It Event Plans Longer City Blackout

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.

Solar Solution

Updated on Feb 12, 2009 – SCMP

It is not difficult to see how polluted the air is in the region. Take a glance at Victoria Harbour to recognise how serious the problem is. Therefore, action must be taken to reduce pollution levels.

As individuals we can all do our bit to be eco-friendly. When it comes to schools, they should be aiming to use renewable energy sources. Renewable-energy-source technology has improved a lot over the years. It is now relatively easy to install solar panels and windmills. This benefits society as a whole, with less electricity being consumed and has an educational role for students. I can appreciate that there may be drawbacks. Cost-efficiency may be a factor that has to be considered.

Also, building plants used to operate wind turbines and solar panels would restrict the limited space for teaching. However, I am sure there will be some technological breakthrough that will solve this problem.

Alan Wong, Chai Wan

Disappointed By Light Pollution

Updated on Feb 11, 2009 – SCMP

On Saturday night, I went with my family to the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, where an event was being held to mark the opening night of the International Year of Astronomy. It was organised by IYA 2009 Hong Kong League, formed by local astronomy organisations to get Hongkongers more interested in the subject.

Various telescopes were located around the pavement and we were delighted by what we could see.

So great was the magnification in one telescope that we were able to see the craters of the moon.

However, I was surprised to observe that the neon lights on skyscrapers had not been turned off even for this special event.

If Hong Kong, as a community, had agreed to switch off these neon lights, people would have been able to see more stars through the telescopes on Saturday night.

Also it would have been seen as an energy-saving measure on this special day.

It shows how little is being done to save the night sky from this light pollution.

Aishu Venkat, Mid-Levels