Hong Kong Minister pledges greener infrastructure

Flagship infrastructure projects planned for Hong Kong will all be built according to high environmental standards, a Minister for the city state's government has said.


A series of ‘mega projects’ are planned to update the city’s infrastructure over the next few years.

According to Secretary for Development Carrie Lam, who has been on a fact finding tour in Australia, the government will use these projects as a showcase for sustainable construction techniques.

She made the announcement at the World Sustainable Building Conference in Melbourne.

The ten projects will allow the city to explore and adopt sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices, she said, and will see government and the private sector working together to promote sustainable buildings.

“In the next few years the Hong Kong Government will press ahead with 10 major infrastructure projects that include a number of rail projects, cross-boundary infrastructure, a cultural district and the construction of new development areas,” said Mrs Lam.

“All these aim to enhance Hong Kong’s living environment and make our development more sustainable.”

While in Melbourne, the Minister also visited an exemplary office block which has received a top rating from the Australian Green Building Council.

More often than not, Hong Kong finds itself on the wrong end of environmental news stories and is battling to shake its image as a heavily polluted city.

Previous initiatives have included ‘lights out’ days where the public and businesses have been asked to turn off their lights at specific times to save energy and measures to encourage the shipping industry and port authorities to reduce emissions of polluting gases.

David Gibbs

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