Xie Zhanhuan: Taking multiple measures to promote the green transformation of government departments, actively cooperating with the national "dual carbon" goals.

On July 8, the Secretary for the Environment of Hong Kong, Wong Kam-sing, responded in writing to questions from legislators during a meeting of the Legislative Council. He said that in order to align with the national "dual carbon" goal, the Hong Kong government aims to halve the city's carbon emissions from the 2005 level by 2035, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The government has formulated comprehensive policies and adopted a "whole-of-government mobilization" approach in managing government operations to promote various measures and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Wong Kam-sing pointed out that in the past five years (2021 to 2025), the government has made significant progress in promoting renewable energy. Since the 2017/2018 financial year, a total of HK$30 billion has been allocated for the installation of small-scale renewable energy systems in government premises. By the end of 2025, over HK$24 billion has been approved for around 280 projects, including the installation of CECEP Solar Energy generating systems in government buildings, recreational facilities, reservoirs, pedestrian walkways, as well as the installation of waste-to-energy and hydropower systems in sewage treatment plants. Over 170 projects have been completed in the past five years, and once all approved projects are fully operational, it is estimated that over 27 million kWh of electricity can be generated annually. Additionally, the first phase of the Integrated Waste Management Facility (IPARK1) began trial operation in December 2025, with an anticipated annual electricity production of about 480 million kWh when fully operational, and the upcoming second phase (IPARK2) is expected to contribute an additional 960 million kWh to the grid annually. Wong Kam-sing stated that in terms of carbon emission management, the government issued the "Government Building Carbon Management" notice in 2017, requiring all major government buildings to undergo regular carbon audits and disclose the results to the public through the annual environmental work report. Due to the diverse nature of work and operations of different policy bureaus and departments, it is challenging to develop a single carbon reduction plan and target applicable to all departments. The government actively encourages public bodies to set emission reduction targets, with the Hospital Authority making carbon neutrality an environmental policy goal and implementing energy-saving measures such as replacing high-efficiency air conditioning units and establishing an energy management database system. The Airport Authority has also formulated carbon management strategies and reduction targets, and updated its carbon auditing system in 2024 to enhance carbon emission management. Regarding building energy efficiency, Wong Kam-sing noted that under the Building Energy Efficiency Ordinance, government buildings and public sector buildings such as hospitals and railway stations must comply with statutory energy efficiency standards, with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department reviewing and updating relevant codes with the industry every three years. The ordinance was amended last year to require these buildings to undergo energy audits every five years according to the "Building Energy Auditing Practice Guide," and publish relevant technical information upon completion to encourage the industry to provide energy-saving solutions proactively. Once the amended ordinance comes into full effect in September this year, an additional 500 million kWh of electricity is estimated to be saved annually by 2035. Wong Kam-sing emphasized that the government has been committed to promoting green and low-carbon transformation, actively exploring the potential of hydrogen energy in different sectors. In the application of hydrogen fuel cell power supply systems on construction sites, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department issued the "Practical Guide on Stationary Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems" in December 2025 to provide clear technical specifications for system safety configuration and operation. In February 2026, the Cross-departmental Working Group on Hydrogen Energy formulated optimization measures, allowing applicants for projects with mature technologies and low risks to be exempted from quantitative risk assessments or required to submit designated technical data, significantly streamlining the approval process. In June 2026, the department prepared and uploaded an "Introduction to the Application of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems on Construction Sites" to the working group's website, successfully facilitating the inclusion of relevant manufacturers' products in the pre-approved list of the Construction Industry Innovation and Technology Fund. Currently, several hydrogen energy generation projects have been successfully implemented in Hong Kong, including projects supplying power to construction sites in Lok Ma Chau and Sheung Shui, charging stations for electric vehicles in Sai Kung and North Point, and temporary facilities for the golf events of the 15th National Games. The Construction Industry Council will also install hydrogen fuel generators at its Zero Carbon Construction Site in Kowloon Bay to showcase relevant technologies to the industry. In terms of hydrogen energy vehicle applications, Wong Kam-sing stated that the government is currently focusing on promoting more mature electric vehicles and supporting trials of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The government's fleet already has three hydrogen fuel cell street cleaning vehicles from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department undergoing trial operation, and the government will collect and analyze trial data to further assess future promotion plans. The Marine Department has launched the first pilot project for methanol-powered vessels for the government fleet and will build two methanol-powered vessels expected to be put into service by 2029. Wong Kam-sing mentioned that in promoting trials of hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty vehicles, the government launched a funding program under the New Energy Transport Fund in December 2024, reserving HK$100 million for the first phase to subsidize the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty vehicles, installation of hydrogen refueling facilities, and hydrogen fuel costs during the trial period. As of June 2026, the Secretariat of the Fund has received two formal applications involving the trial of hydrogen fuel cell tour buses for cross-border and local passenger transport purposes. The government plans to consult stakeholders in the third quarter of this year to optimize the scope of subsidies and submit it to the Fund Supervisory Committee for consideration in the fourth quarter. Wong Kam-sing mentioned that the Innovation and Technology Bureau is leading the development of the Greater Bay Area Hong Kong Park, Xintian Science and Technology City, and Shaling Data Center in the northern metropolitan area. These areas will provide quality land options for strategic technology companies in new materials, new energy, and green technology, establishing research and development centers, pilot transformation bases, and production facilities to provide strong support for accelerating the development of new productive forces and achieving new industrialization in Hong Kong. The government has also introduced various measures to encourage the private sector to develop renewable energy, including facilitating the installation of CECEP Solar Energy generating systems in outdoor parking lots in April 2022 and allowing the installation of these systems in agricultural areas for agricultural purposes without needing planning permission from the Town Planning Board. In terms of green procurement, Wong Kam-sing pointed out that the government stipulates environmental specifications for products and services through the Environmental Procurement List, ensuring priority for energy-saving and carbon-reducing options during procurement. The government currently mandates the purchase of electric private vehicles and procures energy-efficient products such as LED lights, Grade 1 energy label air-conditioners, and photovoltaic panels. The government will review the Environmental Procurement List regularly to align with the latest market developments and procurement needs, creating stable demand for local green energy products and driving the development of related industries.