A study of current situations and challenges of promoting green retrofit of existing buildings in Hong Kong

Abstract

With the rising awareness on climate change and sustainability, the Hong Kong government have announced ambitious carbon neutrality target by 2050. As the largest electricity consumer and carbon emitter, there is an urgent need to upgrade current energy performance and achieve sustainability in the building sector by green retrofit. Being the largest energy consumer in the residential sector, private residential buildings play a significant role on the way to sustainability. Yet, the current adoption rate of green retrofit is low. This study identifies the challenges of promoting green retrofit in existing residential buildings aged 30 or above, while they are considered as at the middle of designated life span and suitable to undergo green retrofit. A comprehensive review on current situation of green retrofit was first presented, including what, how and why green retrofit is adopted in other countries and Hong Kong. Followed by comparative case studies of City One Shatin and Abba House, interviews have been conducted with green building professionals and property management practitioners for data collection. Base on the findings, six challenges are identified, which are (i) the economic constraints, (ii) insufficient financial incentives. (iii) green retrofit as second priority, (iv) low awareness on green retrofit, (v) insufficient technical support, and (vi) insufficient human resources. Three recommendations are suggested to overcome these challenges, including promotion of green finance and increase financial incentive, enhance training for green retrofit and life cycle costing professionals and education on life cycle costing and green property management.