Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ17: Promoting energy saving and carbon reduction in government departments and public organisations
Question:
The National 15th Five-Year Plan proposes to accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and establishes the “dual carbon” targets of achieving carbon peaking before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. The HKSAR Government has likewise taken forward four major decarbonisation strategies under Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, namely “net-zero electricity generation”, “energy saving and green buildings”, “green transport” and “waste reduction”, to align with the national direction. Furthermore, the Government has amended the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance to include public facilities under the mandatory energy audits conducted once every five years, and has promulgated the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong to launch local trial projects on hydrogen as fuel. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
President,
To align with the national “dual carbon” targets, the Government strives to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and reduce the total carbon emissions from the 2005 level by half before 2035. In addition to formulating territory-wide policies, the Government has adopted a “whole-government” approach to managing the operation of government departments and has taken forward various measures in our bid to achieve decarbonisation.
In consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), our reply to the question raised by the Hon Hung Kam-in is as follows: Besides, in response to the long-term goal of carbon neutrality set out by the Government under the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050, a number of public organisations (such as the Hospital Authority (HA) and the Hong Kong Housing Authority), tertiary institutes, and secondary and primary schools have also increased the use of RE at their respective premises.
(2) To assist government bureaux and departments (B&Ds) in setting emission reduction targets and implementing emission reduction measures in a more scientific way, the Government promulgated in 2017 the “Carbon Management in Government Buildings” circular which requires all major government buildings to undergo regular carbon audits, the results of which should be disclosed to the public through the publication of annual environmental performance reports or other means. B&Ds will follow up on the implementation of practicable carbon reduction measures based on the recommendations in the carbon audit reports. Owing to the differences in the nature and operating conditions of various B&Ds, it would be difficult to formulate a one-size-fits-all decarbonisation solution and target that are applicable to all departments. We will actively explore the application of hydrogen gensets at government construction sites. As for the its application as backup power supplies in suitable government buildings and hospitals, the feasibility will be further studied subject to the results of further safety assessments and actual operational needs. The Government will continue to uphold the principle of advancing with prudence, and review the effectiveness of the trial projects through the Inter-departmental Working Group. Taking into account technological maturity and economic viability, we will formulate the next development blueprint in due course, and make good use of existing resources and relevant funds to support suitable applications as well as research and development projects, thereby promoting the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong.
Besides, hydrogen vehicles offer the advantages of electric vehicles, such as zero emission and minimal noise pollution, while also providing higher energy capacity and longer driving range. However, relevant technologies are still under trials or at an early stage of development, hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) vehicles have no competitive edge for small-and-medium sized and short-to-medium ranged vehicles at this moment. Therefore, the Government is currently focusing on promoting electric vehicles, which have more mature technologies and supporting infrastructure, to drive the green transformation of vehicles in Hong Kong. At the same time, the Government will also support trials of hydrogen vehicles. As Hong Kong is a compact city, the daily travel distance of most of the vehicles is relatively short. It would be more appropriate for Hong Kong to focus on exploring the development of hydrogen heavy vehicles and hydrogen cross-boundary vehicles.
At present, three HFC street washing vehicles operated by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department under the Government fleet are undergoing operational trials. The Government will collect data and gather experience of the three HFC street washing vehicles and review the operation of other HFC vehicle trial projects to further assess the future plan for the promotion of hydrogen vehicles and the arrangement for resource allocation.
In addition, the Marine Department (MD) has launched the first pilot project for methanol-powered vessels under the Government fleet, involving the building of two methanol-powered vessels for the MD. The vessels are expected to enter into service in 2029.
(5) To promote the trials of HFC heavy vehicles, the Government launched a funding scheme under the New Energy Transport Fund (the NET Fund) in December 2024 and earmarked HK$100 million in the first phase to provide funding support for local companies for the procurement of HFC heavy vehicles, establishment of hydrogen refilling facilities and hydrogen fuel expenses during the trial period.Issued at HKT 12:45
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