Green building to Hong Kong

(Last updated: 05 Mar 2008)

Trends and opportunities

The market

Hong Kong has a relatively advanced green building agenda. Its environmental policies were established in the 1980s and are motivated by a commitment to reducing resource consumption, control indirect greenhouse gas emissions and clear polluted skies.

Drivers of green building in Hong Kong include government departments such as the Hong Kong Government’s Architectural Services Department (ASD), the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA).

Their work has been reinforced by private sector property developers such as Swire Properties, Sun Hung Kai, Hong Kong Land and Henderson Land. A number of non-profit organisations such as the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC) and the Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method (HK-BEAM) have also been instrumental in the growth of sustainable building.

These organisations have adopted HK-BEAM, a comprehensive environmental assessment of buildings. Under HK-BEAM the design, construction and management of green buildings is assessed. In 2006, 30 projects were evaluated and three were given a provisional ‘platinum’ rating following their initial assessment. In addition to ongoing energy savings initiatives there is an emphasis on incorporating ‘greenrooves’ into new government buildings and private building design.

The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) recognises leaders in environmental sustainability through their annual Eco-Business Awards. For example, since 2001 there has been a 'Best Green Construction Contractor' category. In 2005, Australian company, Leighton Contractors (Asia) won the Gold Award for the design and construction of a residential training complex for juveniles in Tuen Mun.

The PGBC also conducts an annual Green Building Award, with awards in four categories including 'New Buildings', 'Existing Buildings', 'Newly Renovated Buildings', and 'Research and Planning Studies'.

Green Projects

There are over 130 green building projects in Hong Kong that are either in progress or already completed. Private sector developments include:

• One Peking Road Commercial Building – Features a pioneering 'active' façade system. The rooftop building integrated photovoltaic system uses renewable energy to operate shading which controls the solar heat gain of the east and west facades.
• The Orchards - A high-rise residential complex, this was the first urban residential development to be awarded with the 'Excellent' rating from HK-BEAM. It incorporates many water and energy-saving features.
• Bank of China Tower - Designed by renowned architect, Mr I.M. Pei, the Bank of China Tower is rectangular at its base and triangular from mid-way to the top. Sun Chung Property Management incorporated environmental and sustainable management in building operation and maintenance.

The government has also conducted some green building projects, such as:

• Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate - Phases 2 and 3 of this Hong Kong Housing Authority project are expected to be completed in 2008 using HK-BEAM assessment criteria as the benchmark for design and specification. The Z-shaped building layouts and their positions relative to each other incorporate a central wind corridor and cross-ventilation.
• Ma Wan School – This Architectural Services Department designed school is located on a sloping site in three levels, minimising excavation. Natural ventilation was assisted by elevating the buildings, and energy efficiency is achieved through the east-west alignment, which reduces solar heat gain.
• Wetland Park – A pioneering project in the use of geothermal heat-pump hybrid air-conditioning systems. Also a leader in the use of recycled aggregates (PFA) to partially replace cement by about 75 per cent of the total concrete volume.
• Fire station with ambulance depot at Penny’s Bay – This building received an HK-BEAM Platinum Award. Insulated roofs, shade overhangs and pergolas contribute to energy efficiency. Other innovative features include building integrated photovoltaic panels used as roofs producing 10 per cent of the electricity requirements and the use of recycled rainwater for vehicle washing and irrigation purposes.

Opportunities

Opportunities for Australian suppliers are listed below.

Services:

• Architectural design services
• Environmental engineering services
• Indoor air quality assessment
• Building efficiency assessment

Products:

• Building materials with low VOC emissions
• Furnishings
• Renewable energy technologies
• Recycled building products
• Energy and water efficiency and management technologies
• Monitoring systems

Tariffs, regulations and customs

HK-BEAM was established in 1996 to set best practice criteria for measuring, improving and labelling environmental sustainable buildings across a buildings entire life-cycle, from planning through design and construction to management.

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Codes of Practice – lighting, air-conditioning, electrical installations, etc.

Hong Kong Housing Authority – life-cycle analysis/ life-cycle cost tools.

Links and industry contacts

Government, business and trade resources for Hong Kong

Hong Kong Institution of Architects – www.hkia.net
Hong Kong Institution of Engineers – www.hkie.org.hk

Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects – www.hkila.com

Hong Kong Institute of Planners – www.hkip.org.hk
Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors – www.hkis.org.hk

Business Environment Council (BEC) – www.bec.org.hk
Set up in 1989, BEC was the first non-profit business association in Hong Kong to help companies across all sectors to balance economic, social and environmental interests. The BEC is a regional network partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Professional Green Building Council (PGBC) – www.hkpgbc.org
The PGBC was formed in 2002 by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS). The Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) joined in 2005. The PGBC is a non-profit making research and education institute that promotes a better sustainable built environment through professional involvement. Its main activities include collaborative research, organising seminars and advising government on policy.

HK-BEAM Society – www.hk-beam.org.hk
HK-BEAM is the founder and owner of the Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method – a voluntary initiative to measure, improve and label the environmental performance of buildings. Adopted by over 130 premises (covering some 62 million ft²), HK-BEAM is one of the most widely used assessment and labelling schemes in the world. Buildings are independently assessed and receive a bronze, silver, gold or platinum certification. Advice and guidance to improve performance is provided to owners, designers, builders and operators throughout the assessment process.

Green Council – www.greencouncil.org
A Hong Kong-based non-profit, non-partisan environmental organisation, which emphasises environmental awareness. Provides environmental education and training, encourages green procurement, recycling and waste reduction, and energy conservation.

Hong Kong Photovoltaic Consortium (HKPVY)
Established to promote photovoltaic technology. The consortium is supported by individuals, businesses, non-profit making organisations and academic institutions.

Council for Sustainable Development – www.susdev.org.hk
Engages the community in discussion on the sustainable population policy for Hong Kong. Sustainable development emphasises the balance and integration of the three sustainability pillars of economic development, social harmony and environmental protection.

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department –www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pee/eersb.shtml
Responsible for the Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme for Buildings launched in 1988. Five codes cover lighting, airconditioning, electrical and lift & escalator installations. Building designers or developers can request that their building be assessed for compliance with the codes. A certificate is issued the ‘Energy Efficient Building’ logo may be used. In December 2005, over 1700 certificates were issued to 713 building venues involving 1942 installations.

Architectural Services Department (ASD) –
www.archsd.gov.hk/english/reports/sustain_report_2006/e/about_this_report.html
ASD’s annual Sustainability Report for 2006 gives details on their triple bottom line accomplishments between 1 January and 31 December 2005. This online report presents an overview of their performance in 2005 and illustrates how they have worked to uphold their mission and values, as well as their performance in addressing their economic, social and environmental responsibilities.