Looking around the world, governments such as those in the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, are committed to promoting a "green office" environment. In Hong Kong we should also strive for low-carbon government. Environmental protection efforts are still inadequate and the government should set a good example for society at large.

At present, the government generally follows the "three-R principles": to reduce, reuse, and recycle. In applying these three principles, the various departments focus only on reducing the use of paper and turning off unnecessary lights. The effects are insignificant. Moreover, not all departments employ environmental managers. Thus, all policies rely on staff and conscious implementation, for example, keeping the room temperature at 25.5 degrees. Not all departments have adhered strictly to overall low-carbon government policies.

First of all, green procurement can be achieved. For example, with the purchase of equipment with a two-stage flush toilet bowl, per person per day can save 50 liters of water; insulating ceilings, walls or floors can reduce electricity consumption by 25 percent; offices fitted with Solar Control Window Film can reduce heat absorption by 79 percent, effectively reducing the burden on air-conditioning. Energy-labeled appliances, incentives for staff to use public transport and use of more fuel-efficient green cars can all make important contributions.

Secondly, the government should employ independent environmental managers, to control and monitor the use of water, electricity and other resources, set savings goals and promote environmental protection measures. In the long run, the government should use more renewable energy, such as solar energy, to replace non-renewable energy sources, and to achieve energy-saving targets. These targets should be made public on a yearly basis.

The government should also develop a "low-carbon government" program of action, undertake a "carbon footprint" survey to discover the amount of the government's annual carbon emissions. The government, at the end of the year, should make public actual emissions reductions. The government should also help local businesses and the general public to achieve similar reductions.

According to US Green Building Council statistics, the green office environment can increase employee productivity by 10-16 percent. Therefore, the "Green Office" can create a win-win situation for the environment, employers and employees. The government should have a leading role to play in promoting low-carbon society.

The author is chairman of the Hong Kong Public Governance Association and council member of the Central and Western District

(HK Edition 04/09/2010 page2)