Programs to improve the energy performance of buildings in Hong Kong SAR

Buildings are the dominant energy consumers in most major cities worldwide and it is no different in Hong Kong. Therefore, the Hong Kong SAR Government and the environmental protection bodies take reducing energy use in buildings as a strategic measure for energy conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the realizable energy cost saving alone is hardly a sufficient incentive for investments in improvement measures due to the relatively low energy costs in many places, which is also the case in Hong Kong. It has become clear that more effective means are required to induce or compel greater actions. Whilst government initiatives have been introduced to mitigate wasteful use of energy, many believe that voluntary programs, which came into prominence in the early 1990s, is a cost effective solution to alleviating environmental impacts. Recent research tends to favor the adoption of a well-articulated policy mix involving the regulatory and voluntary instruments. This paper outlines and reviews the various government initiatives and market-driven voluntary programs. Future changes to the existing policy instruments for building energy efficiency are discussed. The paper should be of interest to policy makers seeking to upgrade energy performance of buildings in cities like Hong Kong.