The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department today launched a two-month trade consultation on amendments to the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance aimed at promoting energy saving and decarbonisation in buildings.

The intention to launch a consultation this year was announced in the recent 2023 Policy Address. The proposed amendments would extend the scope of the ordinance to cover more types of buildings, mandate the disclosure of information related to energy audit reports, and shorten the intervals between energy audits.

The Government has set a target of finalising the amendments and commencing the necessary legislative work before the end of 2024.

The Environment & Ecology Bureau highlighted that buildings account for 90% of Hong Kong’s electricity consumption, and that over 50% of the city’s carbon emissions are attributable to generating electricity for buildings.

It added that improving buildings’ energy efficiency will reduce power consumption and demand for power generation, resulting in lower carbon emissions but also lower costs to the public in terms of paying for clean replacement fuels.

The consultation will end on January 15, 2024. Parties may submit their views to the department by email, by fax to 2890 6081, or by post to Energy Efficiency Office, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong.