The View | Hong Kong’s energy-guzzling buildings can be transformed to meet net-zero goals
- Building green isn’t nearly as sustainable as adapting the city’s thousands of existing high-rises
- Property developers must focus on making these buildings more energy efficient, and, better yet, readily adaptable to future energy-saving technology
That said, it’s not just about government action. The private sector should similarly set ambitious energy targets and work towards them through a range of strategies.
Hong Kong is well-known for its built environment of high-rise urban areas, set adjacent to subtropical hilly and even mountainous terrain. For decades, the city has been one of the world’s most densely populated places, with most of its 7 million residents living and working in skyscrapers.
New buildings in Hong Kong are often portrayed as a symbol of success. But in a sustainability-focused world, should we be so quick to demolish and rebuild?
Developers and landlords have recognised for years that they have a responsibility to reduce emissions. Back in 1995, Hong Kong developers came together to establish the BEAM building standard, especially for construction in subtropical climates. In 2007, the Asia Business Council published a book called Building Energy Efficiency: Why Green Buildings Are Key to Asia’s Future.