Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is a question by the Hon Doreen Kong and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
Question:
The 15th National Games (NG) will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in November this year. One of the key highlights of the Games is the thorough implementation of green initiatives in organising the event, and the endeavour to make it the first carbon-neutral event in the history of NG. However, there are views that the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), which is a newly-opened international flagship stadium, still has room for improvement in its waste reduction measures. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that the KTSP previously prohibited audience from bringing any containers into sport events for security reasons and declined to provide reusable cups, but it has been reported that various types of prohibited containers were found in the corporate boxes and VIP seats during several major sport events held in the Park, whether the authorities have reviewed why there were such inconsistencies in the standards, and how they will ensure the fairness and consistency in the relevant requirements in the future;
(2) as there are views pointing out that while the KTSP allowed audience to bring plastic or silicone water bottles and cups into the venue during concerts held in April this year, relevant arrangements were not made for sport events which had left local and overseas audience at a loss, (i) of the reasons why the aforesaid arrangements were not implemented consistently for different types of events, and (ii) whether the Government will request the KTSP to clearly define the types of events for which the aforesaid arrangements are to be implemented and the specific justifications;
(3) as there are views that Hong Kong has mature experience in reusable container systems, and that the arrangement of “reuse instead of disposal” has been successfully implemented in many large shopping centres, restaurant chains and major events (e.g. the Hong Kong Sevens held at the Hong Kong Stadium in the past), which are effective in reducing the amount of waste, and it is learnt that the KTSP has also adopted “sustainability” (i.e. striving to integrate operational solutions conducive to sustainable development, and optimising resource usage) as one of its core values, of the reasons for not implementing the reusable container systems in the KTSP so far; and
(4) how the stadiums in Hong Kong (including the KTSP and other competition venues) will specifically implement the element of green initiatives under the principles of “green, inclusive, open and clean” during the 15th NG, so as to create exemplary venues for the 15th NG in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area?
Reply:
President,
The Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is the largest sports infrastructure in Hong Kong’s history and is crucial for the Government’s promotion of the development of sports and mega event economy. With its official commissioning on March 1 this year, the KTSP has quickly established itself as a new hub for hosting major sports and entertainment events.
The Kai Tak Sports Park Limited (the Operator) is committed to providing an enjoyable experience for visitors attending major sports and entertainment events at the KTSP. While ensuring proper implementation of areas of importance such as event arrangements and venue security, the Operator is also dedicated to optimising the daily management and operations of the KTSP, including promoting environmentally friendly and low-carbon measures.
In consultation with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), my reply to the questions raised by the Hon Doreen Kong is as follows:
(1) To ensure safety and order when staging large-scale events, all visitors entering the venues of the KTSP must comply with the venue rules set out by the Operator, as well as the conditions of entry stipulated in response to the requirements of event organisers. For instance, outside food and drinks, long umbrellas, glass or metal containers etc, are prohibited from being brought into the venues. All spectators, including those in suites and VIP areas, must adhere to the same rules and conditions.
Depending on the nature and arrangements of the event, individual organisers may arrange for special catering services for their guests in designated areas, subject to the Operator’s approval. The Operator will consider such requests provided that they do not affect the safety of the events. Such special catering services will apply to designated areas only. For example, the use of glass containers is only allowed inside the suite area. When enjoying the event at the balcony seats of the suite, suite users still need to follow the same venue rules, including the prohibition on using glass containers.
(2) In view of the varying nature and risks between sports and entertainment events, the Operator has established different venue rules for the two event categories.
The essence of sports events is competitiveness. When competing teams are battling against each other, especially in intense situations, the interaction among the fans could more easily lead to confrontations. Therefore, spectators at sports events are generally not allowed to bring water bottles or containers of any size (whether capped or not) into the venues so as to prevent such bottles or containers from being thrown at other spectators or players, thereby ensuring the safety of everyone inside the venue. In fact, another major sports venue in Hong Kong, namely the Hong Kong Stadium, as well as other international sports stadiums also stipulate similar requirements during sports events for security reasons.
For entertainment events (such as concerts), since there is no competition between battling teams, the likelihood of conflict among the audience is lower. The Operator and event organisers generally allow spectators to bring empty plastic or silicone reusable bottles/cups not larger than 600 millilitres with bottle/cups caps and liquids removed.
The Operator will disseminate relevant rules and conditions of entry through its website and other channels (such as social media, press releases, or event guides from the organisers) before the staging of large-scale events to ensure that spectators are well-informed to facilitate their preparation in advance. The Operator has indeed explained the details and considerations of different rules and entry conditions in past events.
(3) The Operator is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. While ensuring safety, hygiene and effective operations, the Operator has been collaborating with the Government to promote environmental protection through a multi-pronged approach.
Adhering to the objectives of “Use Less, Waste Less” and resources circulation, the KTSP has placed waste separation and recycling facilities as well as installed a waste decomposition system to convert food waste, paper cups, and other paper containers into compostable materials. All the compost produced can be used as fertiliser for plants within the precinct, showcasing the concepts of green management and resources circulation. To further promote environmental protection, all paper cups used by the Operator in the KTSP are certified biodegradable. This promotes a plastic-free culture, reducing the use of plastic tableware by spectators on one hand, while helping to maintain hygiene standards and enhance audience experience on the other.
The Operator has conducted research and made reference to practices in Hong Kong and other regions when formulating the above venue management measures. On the suggestion of using reusable plastic containers, after careful consideration, the Operator concluded that the processes involved in transporting and cleaning these reusable containers would generate additional carbon emissions and consume other resources. In addition, as reusable plastic containers are not biodegradable, they do not support the plastic-free initiative and undermine the KTSP’s efforts in promoting carbon reduction and resources circulation. In contrast, the use of biodegradable paper cups aligns well with and makes good use of the above-mentioned waste decomposition system at the KTSP, leading to a better overall carbon reduction outcome.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the EPD will continue to maintain close communication with the Operator to further promote environmental protection work at the KTSP, while ensuring that spectators attending major events continue to have an enjoyable experience.
(4) To adhere to the principle of “simple, safe and wonderful”, and the philosophy of being “green, inclusive, open and clean” in organising the Games, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao will make joint efforts in achieving the goal of carbon neutrality for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympics Games. The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) has formulated a “Green National Games” action plan and engaged a professional carbon auditing agency to carry out the related works such as establishing a carbon-neutral framework and collaborative initiatives, conducting comprehensive carbon emission measurement and accounting, promoting public participation in green initiatives and managing carbon offset and certification. The green and carbon-reduction measures in Hong Kong include using existing sports facilities and venues for the Games; implementing energy-saving strategies and increasing renewable energy use at competition venues (for example, applying electricity-free cooling coating and installing solar panels); advocating green transportation and securing new energy vehicles for shuttle services through sponsorship; promoting environmentally friendly accommodation; strengthening the use of digital publicity and document sharing to minimise paper use; enhancing waste separation and recycling; and setting up green exhibitions and games at competition venues to promote the concept of “Green National Games”.