The Task Force on External Lighting today submitted its report to the Government, recommending the introduction of a voluntary charter scheme to implement a switch off requirement for external lighting at a preset time.
Task force Chairman Albert Chau said the charter scheme should be implemented as soon as possible, preferably no later than six months after the Government's accepts the recommendations.
The report also suggests the Government relaunches the external lighting guidelines to promote good practices in the design, installation and operation of external lighting, and to organise award schemes to acknowledge owners and management that sign up to the charter and adopt the guidelines.
It said the Government should submit regular reports to the Advisory Council on the Environment on these measures, and conduct a survey two years after the charter scheme is implemented to gauge public views on legislating on external lighting controls.
Mr Chau said the study found public opinion on the control of external lighting is divergent, suggesting the community is not yet ready for rigorous regulation of external lighting, such as legislative control. However, it does show a genuine need to act together to address light nuisance and energy wastage problems.
Welcoming the report, Secretary for the Environment KS Wong said the Government will study its recommendations when deciding the way forward.
