Four Billion Dollars' Market
On Government's Call


(Press Release 8/4/2009) Friends of the Earth (HK) welcomes the government¡¦s allocation of a $450 million budget to subsidize the carbon audit and energy efficiency projects of private buildings. This is a step towards the establishment of an energy efficiency industry. FoE (HK) believes an energy conservation market approximating to $4 billion fits the Chief Executive¡¦s vision of developing a green economy while creating jobs, in addition to responding to two environmental issues of air pollution and climate change.

While providing a matching grant for the new energy conservation initiative, the government should not waste time at legislating for Mandatory Building Energy Efficiency Code within the current legislative year to step up the energy efficiency performance. But more importantly, the government should set a citywide energy conservation target to instill a public awareness on the importance of energy reduction.

From 1997 to 2008, the population of Hong Kong has increased by 7.6% while a 27 % increase of electricity consumption was recorded. The exponential growth of electricity use, disproportional to population growth, leaves huge room for energy reduction. The Power Smart contest organized by FoE (HK) last year managed to cut over 1.2 million kwh of electricity within three months, an equivalent of a $10 million electricity bill, which demonstrated how easily it can be saved.

FoE (HK) believes $4 billion savings from electricity use can be translated into an enormous energy conservation market. An energy conservation industry made of energy consulting firms, energy providers for lighting, air conditioning and electricity control, can provide energy services by contract to building owners and private companies with tailor-made energy efficiency plans. The industry can also yield profits by promoting energy saving products or technology, which requires extra manpower. The benefits of a green economy are many: creating jobs, stimulating economy, reducing air pollutants, etc.

The spokesperson of FoE (HK) says, ¡§We use energy wherever we go or stay. A green economy is local, which grows on where it budded.¡¨ Hong Kong provides a fertile soil for the technological development and management of the energy conservation industry, from where experiences could be exported to the mainland.

FoE (HK) recommends the following to the government for the creation of an energy conservation industry:
1) Speedy implementation of Mandatory Building Energy Efficiency Code
2) Set up a citywide energy conservation goal
3) Facilitate energy conservation by listing energy service providers on government websites
4) Provide loans to energy service providers

Media Contact: 2528 5588

Angus Wong, Environmental Affairs Officer, FoE (HK)

 
     
 
 
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Reduce paper use and promote paper recycling
If fewer trees are cut down to produce paper, we will have more trees to absorb CO2 which is the gas implicated in global warming.
少砍伐樹木, 幫助減低溫室效應. 據資料顯示, 每公頃森林每日能吸收一公噸的二氧化碳, 放出0.73公噸的氧氣.

Choose electrical appliances with an Energy Efficiency Label
改用能源效益標籤屬於第一級別的電器, 可大大減少電力消耗. 第一級別的雪櫃比普通雪櫃省電35%, 儲水式熱水爐可減少25%耗電量, 第一級別的洗衣機則可以減少用電20%等.

Energy saving
Make sure all your electrical appliances are switched off, instead of just being in standby mode, when you leave the room
睡覺前把不用的電視, 電腦, 微波爐等電器的電源關上, 比起設於備用狀態更加省電.

Keep the room temperature at 25.5 C
Electricity consumption is lowed by 1.5% for every degree Celsius increase in the thermostat
原來每調高1度空調, 一年可以節省1.5%耗電量

When you order a take away,
bring your carrier or reusable container. This helps to reduce non-biodegradable Styrofoam packaging.

Promote paperless office
Promote a paperless office by sending send emails instead of mail and link up your computer network, as this cuts
down on the need for printing jobs which will save paper. Reuse computer print-out paper as memo pads or telephone message pads.

Reduce Water Consumption
When brushing your teeth, use water in tumbler instead of from a running
tap. Take a shower instead of bathing
in a bathtub. Install a dual-action flush in your toilet to reduce
water consumption.

Enjoy natural resource
It's better to rely on natural and ventilation. Leave windows open and switch off the lights and fans which are not in use to reduce energy consumption.

Green consumption
Plan your shopping list to avoid over-consumption, which normally contributes
to household waste. Instead of ending up with many plastic bags, bring your
own shopping bag to hold smaller items. This eliminates unnecessary
consumption of plastic bags and reduces waste.

Say Yes to Public Transportation
Public transport can usually take more people at a time to their destinations,
which reduces your energy consumption. You can also consider
other means of transportation, such as a bicycle or simply go on foot if
possible.

Plants are great!
Growing plants can creat a pleasant working and living space. In additional, they can
also serve as an air purifier and give us all healthier surroundings.