June 26, 2012

Financial Secretary John Tsang and Secretary for Development Carrie Lam opened Hong Kong’s first zero-carbon building today.
 
They and 200 guests from government departments, industry stakeholders, and other organisations attended the launch of the Zero-Carbon Building in Kowloon Bay.
 
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tsang said the building excels in saving energy, and is the first in Hong Kong that can offset the carbon emitted during the production of construction materials.
 
The building has been developed by the Construction Industry Council in partnership with the Government.
 
The council’s Chairman Lee Shing-see said the building is a pioneering and inspiring project for Hong Kong.
 
"I believe the Zero-Carbon Building, as Hong Kong’s first zero-carbon building, will become a model and inspire more and more zero- or low-carbon buildings in Hong Kong."
 
The project will serve as a platform for the construction industry to share knowledge and expertise in low-carbon building design and technologies, and help raise community awareness of sustainable living.
 
The building is designed to achieve carbon neutrality. It uses solar panels and biodiesel made of waste cooking oil to generate renewable energy onsite.
 
It has a total area of 14,700 square metres. Its key components include indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, a multipurpose hall, and an eco-office.