7 June 2006, Hong Kong - Press Release
Experts from 2 coasts and 4 regions shared views in “Sustainability in the Built Environment — Creating Momentum in the Pan Pearl River Delta” Conference to achieve balanced development and environmental quality
The Business Environment Council (BEC) today staged a cross-border conference on the rapid development of buildings and infrastructure in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and the impacts this is having on the environment. Featuring a keynote speech by the Hon Leung Chun-ying, GBS, JP, Convenor of the Hon Leung Chun-ying, GBS, JP, Convenor of the HKSAR Executive Council, the event brought together policy makers, business leaders, professionals and academics from as far as Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, Macau as well as Hong Kong.
In opening the conference, Ms Katy Lam, Deputy Chairlady of BEC, set the scene for the challenges being faced. "Rapid development has delivered us at a point in history where the limits to growth are being tested. The availability of key resources, in particular energy, water, materials and space, is of increasing concern. At the same time, our communities expect solutions for high pollution levels, health scares and changing urban conditions, the design quality of our built environment has a significant impact on the quality of the environment, and by definition our lives."
Keynote speaker Hon Leung Chung-ying reinforced the message. "Since the reform in Mainland China, the economic boom has caused unparalleled development. In the '11th Five-year Plan for National Economic and Social Development Outline' released in March this year, the Central Government set the direction of 'building a resource-efficient and environment-friendly society' to promote water and energy saving and ecological protection. This put environmental concern under spotlight."
He added, "The geographical, economic and cultural proximity of Hong Kong and the Pan PRD are closely linked. Hong Kong should strengthen the communication and co-operation mechanism, so as to achieve the aim of balanced development and collective prosperity in the Pan PRD."
Professor Qin Youguo, Chairman of Academic Committee, School of Architecture, TsingHua University defined the need to change. "The foremost task of China is not to design and build high technology and standard construction for the sake of promotion and demonstration, but to solve the general residential and architectural problem concretely, as well as to embrace the residential area of 800 million farmers into green construction perspective."
He added that, "Green Construction development has to take care of national and global resources and environmental concerns, as well as the advantages of users and developers. Overall benefits require legislation, together with policy adjustment and support. When keeping the advantages of users and developers in balance, they can serve as the direct motivation of green construction to provide healthy and comfortable environment."
"Construction is the largest consumer of natural resources such as cement,steel and water," explained Mr Zhang Yanping, Director, Shanghai Research Institute of Building Services. "Buildings in themselves are the largest consumer of energy and materials across their life cycles. These challenges bring significant opportunities for green building expertise and technologies in China."
Dr. Ning Yu, Chair of Global Ecolabelling Network, highlighted the need for more information and understanding in the use of materials. "Only products which demonstrate overall environmental benefits during life cycle should be called green building products."
Dr. Kou Kun Pang, Assistant Professor, Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau shared the experience from Macau in a wider perspective. "With the fast economic development in Macau, urban transportation and construction projects grow swiftly, and consequently increase the utilization and ownership rate of vehicles. There are 300 thousand waste tires until 2003 and this rate is increasing from year to year."
Speakers and delegates were assembled by BEC at its EnviroSeries 2006 Conference "Sustainability in the Built Environment -- Creating Momentum in the Pearl River Delta' at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event was one in a series of private-sector led conferences by BEC calling for better standards in the planning, design, construction and management of buildings and infrastructure that balance economic development with social responsibility and environmental conservation both now and into the long term future.
Materials are available for downloading:
Programme Brochure
Presentation Materials
Photo Gallery
About the Business Environment Council (www.bec.org.hk)
The Business Environment Council (BEC) is a leading independent cross-sector business association in Hong Kong advocating sustainable development. Its aim is to balance economic, social and environmental interests whilst empowering competitiveness. BEC is a Regional Network Partner of the World Business Council of Sustainable Development.
Our founding members include HSBC, KMB, CLP, PCCW, Shell, Wheelock, the Swire Group, Gammon Construction, China Resources, Great Eagle Company, Hongkong Electric Company, Modern Terminals, Hongkong International Terminals, Jardine Pacific Ltd and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation.
Established in 1989, BEC has expanded to a network of more than 20,000 companies, offered more than 700 environmental programs, benefited more than 70,000 professionals, assessed more than 100 building projects exceeding 60 million sq ft, and organized the Hong Kong Awards for Industries in Environmental performance for 14 years, to name a few.