Jan-2018

Swire Properties Marks New Milestones in Sustainable Development (SD) 2030 Strategy
Smart City Digital Hub Builds Innovation Ecosystem

Green Bond Certification Boosting Investor Confidence and Green Building Movement
Better Outdoor Environment through the Guidebook on Urban Microclimate Study
New Directors on Board
More BEAM Plus Platinum Projects in 2017
We are Ready: Retail Industry Shows Commitment to MSW Charging
A Green Evening to Celebrate BEAM Plus Achievements
Green Building Talk for Future Teachers

Swire Properties Marks New Milestones in Sustainable Development (SD) 2030 Strategy

Swire Properties issued its first green bond in January, raising US$500 million to fund green projects that relate to green building development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable water and wastewater management, or climate change adaptation.

Part of the proceeds will be used to finance the Company’s newest Grade-A office development, One Taikoo Place – a core component of its HK$15 billion Taikoo Place redevelopment project that has already obtained a Provisional Platinum rating under BEAM Plus New Buildings Version 1.2.

“Improving the wellbeing of occupants and local communities is what drives us to design and develop our green projects around the world,” said Dr Raymond Yau, General Manager, Technical Services and Sustainable Development, at Swire Properties.

“Our green bond, the first in Hong Kong to receive HKQAA Green Finance Certification, will allow us to continue to pursue our sustainable development mission at local, regional and international levels, while also encouraging global investment in green projects.”

Swire Properties’ sustainable development programmes also extend to existing buildings, with Pacific Place recently completing a monitoring-based retro-commissioning exercise for its HVAC systems, to ensure maximum efficiency. The Company’s Hong Kong portfolio also received the Energy Management Initiative Award at the UK-based CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2017; and was shortlisted for the CIBSE Awards 2018, which will take place on 6 February.

What’s more, since 2011, Swire Properties has been sponsoring the Wu Zhi Qiao Charitable Foundation to modernise and revitalise the 2,000-year-old rammed earth building method. This unique project has resulted in the first-ever modern rammed earth buildings in Mainland China, earthquake-resistant structures that retain local building traditions. A manual has also been published to teach villagers how to build this type of house.

To date, 28 prototype dwellings and a community centre have been constructed in Macha Village, Huining County, Gansu. The project recently won the Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts at the 2017 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

Dr Yau added, “Moving forward, we’re very excited to explore even more green projects and reach our ultimate goal of becoming the leading sustainable development performer in our industry globally by 2030.”

Smart City Digital Hub Builds Innovation Ecosystem

Siemens Limited and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) jointly opened Hong Kong’s first Smart City Digital Hub (also known as MindSphere Application Center – City) on 7 December, 2017. Powered by MindSphere, the Hub will tackle city challenges and unleash potential of digitalisation that is rising rapidly in Asia.

Hong Kong, as one of world’s densest city, has been facing more complex demands for infrastructure. Yet, this world-class city offers a vibrant, open and globalised environment with abundant resources for us to nurture top-tier talents and leverage the power of digitalisation. Riding on Siemens’ world-leading technologies and HKSTP’s strong connection with innovators, the first Smart City Digital Hub in Hong Kong unveiled its latest innovations to tackle city challenges like traffic congestion, public convenience, public safety, energy saving and city planning. While dedicated to building an innovation ecosystem, the Hub also offers start-ups and infrastructure providers a platform to create their digital portfolio and develop smart city solutions.

The Hub is designed as an open lab, consisting of Smart Mobility Test Bed and Smart Energy Lab and allowing experts to carry out research and development in topics of data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity, smart building, smart energy and smart mobility. Powered by MindSphere, a cloud-based IoT operating system, it will initially focus on five areas, namely City Performance Tool Air (CyPT Air), Connected City Solutions (CCS), Cyber Security, Data Analytics Suitcase and MindSphere Open IoT Platform.

To crystallise Hong Kong’s smart city vision, Siemens has signed three MoU with the leading organisations including CLP Innovation Enterprises Limited, MTR Corporation Limited and Smart City Consortium. With focus in areas of smart building, smart energy and smart mobility, the alliances join forces to build a smarter and more sustainable Hong Kong.

Green Bond Certification Boosting Investor Confidence and Green Building Movement

Since the Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has pledged to boost green finance development in her Policy Address last year, it has been a hot topic in the financial sector and has earned support from the public and private sectors, as people are expecting additional channels available for green projects to tap funding from the capital market.

A green bond differs from a traditional bond with its external review process to ensure the use of proceeds on green projects and programmes about emission reduction, water conservation, energy saving, etc. Therefore, issuers and certification systems with a strong background and high creditability are both essential to the healthy development of this market.

The Link REIT, MTR Corporation Limited and Towngas have issued green bonds earlier, and Swire Properties is the latest one to join the party. Announced in early January, the green bond is the first in Hong Kong to obtain certification under the newly launched Green Finance Certification Scheme by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency. Part of the proceeds would be used to finance the One Taikoo Place office tower, a project achieving Provisional Platinum rating under BEAM Plus New Buildings V1.2. The recognition by independent third-party assessments, for the bond itself and the project associated, has no doubt enhanced stakeholder confidence on green financial instruments and setting a model for future issuers.

It is expected that both the green bond and green building market would flourish in the coming year as plans for green bond issuance are in the pipeline for the Hong Kong Government, Airport Authority Hong Kong and the MTR. Indeed, the money raised by green bonds could fund new projects as well as renovation work on existing buildings. Hong Kong now has 42,000 buildings, and commercial ones account for 60% of electricity consumption. For long, finance and technicality have been constraints for refurbishment and improving energy efficiency in these buildings. Green bonds may bring new opportunities to the industry in turning our building stock green.

Apart from turning a new page for the city’s financial industry, green bond will be a powerful tool that could speed up Hong Kong’s market transformation to become a green metropolis, and more importantly, to combat climate change.

Better Outdoor Environment through the Guidebook on Urban Microclimate Study

The HKGBC has successfully launched its Guidebook on Urban Microclimate Study on 16 January, with over 130 practitioners attended the event.

The technical seminar cum launching event started with keynote speech delivered by Mr Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment, on Hong Kong’s response to the climate change. Lead Consultant of the Study, the Chinese University of Hong Kong briefly introduced the content of the Guidebook. Three case-sharings with microclimate design were then brought by representatives from Housing Department, Henderson Land Development Limited and Zero Carbon Building of Construction Industry Council, followed by a panel discussion to share their experiences and challenges faced in adopting urban microclimate design.

Funded by the Construction Industry Council, the HKGBC Guidebook on Urban Microclimate Study provides the knowledge and inspiration about urban microclimate design for practitioners in the building industry. In the Guidebook’s easy-to-understand chapters, the science and principles of urban microclimate studies are introduced, with 31 strategies to optimise the microclimate conditions and good practices— both local and overseas— are reflected on. Recommendations for further studies and policy adjustments are made at the end.

The full version of the Guidebook, promotional booklet, pamphlet and the presentations at the launch can be accessed at the Council’s website for download.

New Directors on Board

The new two-year term of the 19 directors nominated by the Council’s four Founding Members, namely the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council, the BEAM Society Limited and the Professional Green Building Council, has been commenced on 1 January, with Mr Cheung Hau-wai appointed as the new Chairman.

As a building surveyor, Mr Cheung retired in 2008 as the Director of Buildings after 40 years of services in the Hong Kong Government. He was part of the team founding the Council and has been leading the public education initiatives since then. Mr Cheung has been the Vice Chairman and the Chairman of the Council, as well as the Executive Director of CIC. Now, he is also serving CIC ZCB as the Chairman.

The Board of Directors consists of another six members who were elected by Institutional Members with a three-year tenure until the end of 2019. All 25 Directors will continue to promote green building development in town. At the same time, the Council deeply appreciates the contribution of our Immediate Past Chairman Sr Wong Bay and the outgoing Directors for their leadership over the years in achieving tremendous results.

Meanwhile, the Standing Committees of the Council has undergone restructure with a focus on strengthening accountability, efficiency and corporate governance.

More BEAM Plus Platinum Projects in 2017

Who says it is difficult for skyscrapers to go green? Completed in 2003, Two International Finance Centre, the second tallest building in Hong Kong, has achieved Final Platinum rating under BEAM Plus Existing Buildings (EB) V2.0. Facilities are made available to collect a wide range of recyclables, such as light bulbs, fluorescent lamps, waste electrical and electronic equipment, etc. Besides, a portable waste compactor was installed that can help reduce the volume of waste, alleviating carbon emission by having fewer trips to landfill sites.

APB Centre of the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) achieved Excellent grade in Energy Use aspect of BEAM Plus EB V2.0 Selective Scheme. Being the offices of the Architectural Services Department, some upgrade works have been performed in the building to achieve the top rating, including installation of CO2 sensors to automatically control the fresh air flow, and lighting sensors to save energy use in areas when unoccupied, etc. The maintenance is equally important as the project team would arrange regular check-up of sensors to ensure the effectiveness of energy efficient measures.

Promoting health and wellbeing is one of the essential elements for residential development. Long Ching Estate in Yuen Long is therefore achieved the Final Platinum rating under BEAM Plus New Buildings V1.2. In this newly built public housing estate, a communal garden and multi-purpose outdoor activities area were provided for the residents to enjoy outdoor space and sunshine at their home.

Another residential project, City One Shatin (Phase 3C), achieved Excellent grade in Management aspect of BEAM Plus EB V2.0 Selective Scheme. The property management team partnered with various parties to build a green wall for a greener living environment. Besides, the team regularly organised green activities, so as to enrich the residential lives at the estate.

There are now more than 80 green building projects showcasing at BEAM Plus Online Exhibition. Take a look at these outstanding projects now!

We are Ready: Retail Industry Shows Commitment to MSW Charging

An event jointly hosted by the Council and the Environmental Protection Department on 4 December 2017 attracted about 300 members from the Hong Kong Green Shop Alliance (HKGSA), commercial and retail sectors and relevant stakeholders to learn more about how to get prepared for the municipal solid waste (MSW) charging, which could be implemented towards the end of 2019 at the earliest.

Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, explained the modified implementation arrangements of the charging announced earlier. The use of pre-paid designated garbage bags as a charging tool will be expanded to cover not only those waste producers who are using the waste collection service provided by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, but also residential, commercial and industrial buildings whose MSW is collected by private waste collectors using refuse collection vehicles with rear compactors.

Among the speakers at the event were Ir Kenny Wong, Principal Consultant of Hong Kong Productivity Council, and Dr William Yu, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of World Green Organisation, who presented the experience of previous MSW Charging trial schemes, while representatives from Swire Properties, Airport Authority Hong Kong, Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies and Federal Restaurants Group also shared the current practice and effectiveness of on-going waste management initiatives in light of the forthcoming MSW charging arrangement.

During the event, six NGOs and green groups were also invited to showcase their efforts in areas such as recycling of electronic waste, glass and leftovers to the retail industry for a stronger collaboration towards waste reduction.

The HKGSA will organise a number of activities under the theme of waste reduction to encourage those in the retail trade to actively practise waste reduction and recycling, getting prepared for the future implementation of the MSW charging.

A Green Evening to Celebrate BEAM Plus Achievements

The BEAM Plus Certification Ceremony 2017 was successfully held on 14 December 2017, with Mr Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment, and Mr Chan Ka-kui, SBS, JP, Chairman of Construction Industry Council, invited to the ceremony. A total of 33 certifications were presented to the project teams whose BEAM Plus projects achieved Final Platinum, Provisional Platinum, Final Gold ratings, and Excellent grades in last year.

Reviewing the achievements of BEAM Plus in 2017, more than 1,000 projects have been registered under the assessment tool, which marked a milestone for the development of the green building industry in Hong Kong. Also, the first batch of projects under BEAM Plus Existing Buildings V2.0 was certified this year. The new BEAM Plus Neighbourhood also received a number of registrations. It is envisaged that a wider adoption of green standard in our building stock and master planning of future communities are on the way.

The Organisers also strived to offer a green experience for the guests! Echoing the call from the Government to cut down waste, a local charity, Foodlink Foundation, was engaged in collection of surplus food from the banquet for those in need, while a low-carbon menu with six dishes was offered to our guests. An LED backdrop was used at the stage, reducing the use of disposable banners. Furthermore, to bring forth a positive impact to the nature and the community, carbon credits were purchased to offset a month’s worth of carbon emissions for each guest, and an organic farm tour was organised for kids as environmental education.

You may check the full list of certified BEAM Plus projects at the Ceremony or the photo highlights on our Facebook Fans Page.

Green Building Talk for Future Teachers

On behalf of the Council, Mr Tony Ip, a member of Green Building Faculty, delivered a talk on the topic “Green Building Development in Hong Kong from Global Perspective to Local Practices” in The Education University of Hong Kong on 17 January.

Around 60 students studying the Master of Arts in Education for Sustainability joined the talk and exchanged with Mr Ip on various issues including global climate change, green building development in Hong Kong and the BEAM Plus assessment tool.

The talk is believed to be a valuable experience to widen students’ horizon on the role of green buildings in sustainability evolvement.

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