Policy Scenarios of Zero Carbon Building for Hong Kong: To Survive or To Lead?

Abstract

During the past decade ‘zero carbon’ building policies have been formulated in a number of countries. In Hong Kong, despite the over 20 years of evolution of building energy codes, there is still no policy agenda of achieving possible zero carbon for buildings. General perception exists on the infeasibility of high-rise buildings particularly in the subtropical climate such as Hong Kong. This paper aims to develop policy scenarios of zero carbon building (ZCB) for the high-rise context of Hong Kong. The research was conducted through the integration of a questionnaire survey, follow-up interviews, series of focus group meetings, and a policy forum, which together engaged over 600 professionals and stakeholders in Hong Kong over a 15-month period. A definition of ZCB for Hong Kong is developed and so is a socio-technical systems ZCB policy framework, elaborating four technical components, i.e. definition and scope, measure and indicator, target and timeline, and renewable energy, within their social, regulatory and geographical contexts. Policy scenarios are developed for different building types and sectors from the status quo towards the UN’s 2050 carbon neutrality target. Important opportunities are identified for addressing climate change as well as re-shaping energy and infrastructure planning in Hong Kong, whilst significant risks are also discovered with technological constraints and reluctant behavioural changes. The opportunities are found to outperform the risks. To realise the policy scenarios requires the adoption of the recommended strategies, aiming a leading model rather than survival. Key to that is to strengthen the partnership between government, industry, universities and communities. To survive or to lead for Hong Kong in the strategic future of high-rise ZCB is not a policy decision per se, but a socio-technical debate provoking an institutional paradigm shift.