Building energy efficiency standards in Hong Kong and mainland China

Abstract

This paper investigates building energy efficiency standards in Hong Kong and mainland China. Building energy regulations are placed in the context of broad trends in energy supply and demand, and of energy policy. The paper offers an overview of the requirements of specific energy-efficiency laws and codes for buildings, and discusses how these requirements affect building design. While its fundamental economic policy approach emphasizes free markets and minimum government intervention, Hong Kong has developed building energy codes for commercial and other buildings largely in response to the energy and environmental concerns. Mandatory code for building envelope was enforced since 1995; energy codes for building services were developed and implemented on a voluntary basis in recent years. Performance-based compliance options and better integration of the codes are needed for future development. As one of the world's most rapidly developing economies, China has a large impact on the world energy market and the global environment. Measures to improve energy efficiency in China's buildings are urgently needed since the number of new buildings is growing rapidly and people are requesting better living standards. Use of energy standards is likely to grow in China and programmes that complement and enhance the standards are expected to come in the future. Since As a major city of China, Hong Kong could play an important role in enhancing technology transfer and demonstration for energy-efficiency improvements. The result of these efforts will have long-term implications for the social and economic development of the Asian region and the world.