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In response to a report submitted by the Task Force on External Lighting (Task Force), the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (May 27) agreed to adopt a multi-pronged approach to address the issues of energy wastage and light nuisance caused by external lighting.
Mr Wong said, "I would like to express my appreciation again to the Chairman of the Task Force, Dr Albert Chau, and his fellow members for their efforts and contributions. We welcome the multi-pronged approach as proposed by the Task Force to address the issues of energy wastage and light nuisance caused by external lighting. The report submitted by the Task Force is a pragmatic response to both the extensive views collected from the public and the necessity for action to mitigate the problems caused by external lighting.
"To enhance public awareness of the issue of external lighting, the Government will make every effort to implement the multi-pronged approach as proposed by the Task Force with the aim of gradually bringing in changes that can mitigate the problems caused by external lighting."
The Environment Bureau made the following responses to the recommendations by the Task Force:
(a) Voluntary charter scheme: The Government will launch a charter scheme this year to encourage owners of and persons responsible for external lighting installations of decorative, promotional or advertising purposes which affect the outdoor environment to switch off such lighting installations after the preset time. The Government will take the lead in switching off after 11pm external lighting installations of government buildings and facilities that are not necessary for security or operational reasons to minimise light nuisance and energy wastage. The Government will call on public bodies to show their support and invite them to join the charter scheme. In addition, we will enlist the assistance of the relevant trade associations, chambers of commerce, professional institutions, property developers, lighting design professionals, the property/facility management sector and District Councils in encouraging owners of external lighting installations to sign up to the charter.
(b) Promotion of good practice: The Government will re-launch the "Guidelines on Industry Best Practices for External Lighting Installations" (the Guidelines) to promote good practice in the design, installation and operation of external lighting installations in the private and public sectors. The Government will engage the relevant professional associations and trade bodies to participate in this exercise. We will also promulgate the Guidelines for Government departments to follow in managing government buildings and facilities.
(c) Acknowledgement of good corporate citizens: The Government will formulate proposals to acknowledge the contributions made by the private sector to alleviate the problems caused by external lighting, such as by launching an award scheme for charter participants.
(d) Public education and publicity campaign: The Government will organise public education and publicity programmes to raise public awareness of issues associated with external lighting.
(e) Future monitoring: The Government will assess the effectiveness of the multi-pronged approach about two to three years after the launch of the charter scheme, including conducting surveys on public perception of the multi-pronged approach and the extent of light nuisance.
(f) Regular reporting to the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE): The Government will report to the ACE on the implementation of the measures, and continue to take positive actions to handle complaints against external lighting.
The Government set up the Task Force in August 2011 to advise it on the appropriate strategy and measures for tackling nuisance and energy wastage problems caused by external lighting, having regard to international experience and practices. Members of the Task Force are drawn from a wide cross section of the community including professional bodies, relevant trades, the academic community and green groups. The Task Force published the Document for Engaging Stakeholders and the Public in August 2013, which aims to invite comments on its proposal requiring lighting installations for decorative, promotional or advertising purposes that affect the outdoor environment to be switched off after a preset time in order to address the issues of light nuisance and energy wastage.
The Task Force submitted its report to the Government on April 22 this year with recommendations for the adoption of a multi-pronged approach to address the problems of light nuisance and energy wastage caused by external lighting. The multi-pronged approach includes six initiatives: a) Charter Scheme; b) Promotion of Good Practices; c) Acknowledgement of Good Corporate Citizens; d) Public Education and Publicity Campaign; e) Future Monitoring; and f) Submission of regular reports to the ACE.
Ends/Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:38
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