Wong Kam-sing

Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP (Chinese: 黃錦星, born in 1963), with his ancestral home in Shunde, Guangdong, is a Hong Kong architect. Before serving as the current Secretary for the Environment,[1] Wong had held a number of public service positions, including the first Chairman of the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Chairman of the Professional Green Building Council and the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Green Building Council.[2] He has contributed to the promotion and research of the standards and guidelines for sustainable built environment applicable to the high-density urban environment of Hong Kong.

The Honourable Wong Kam-sing GBS, JP
黃錦星
Serving as the 2nd Secretary for the Environment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 July 2012
Chief Executive	Leung Chun-ying → Carrie Lam
Chief Secretary for Administration	Carrie Lam → Matthew Cheung
Under Secretary for the Environment	Christine Loh → Tse Chin-wan
Permanent Secretary for the Environment	Anissa Wong Sean-yee → Donald Tong Chi-keung → Maisie Cheng Mei-sze
Political Assistant	Michelle Au Wing-tsz
Preceded by	Edward Yau
Personal details
Born	1963 (age 56–57)  Hong Kong
Nationality	Chinese (Hong Kong)
Spouse(s)	Susan Leung So-wan

Policy Vision

During Wong’s tenure as the Secretary for the Environment, he introduced a number of policy blueprints to establish the direction, targets and roadmaps for policies on air quality, waste reduction and recycling, energy, nature conservation and climate change. These blueprints include:

• March 2013, "A Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong";[3][4][5]
• May 2013, "Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013–2022";[6]
• February 2014, "A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014–2022";[7]
• May 2015, "Energy Saving Plan for Hong Kong’s Built Environment 2015–2025+";[8]
• December 2016, "Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2016–2021";[9]
• January 2017, "Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2030+"[10]

To improve the air quality, Wong implemented a set of new air quality objectives[11] soon after his assumption of office, and launched the Air Quality Health Index[12] to tie in with the new air quality objectives. As vehicles, vessels and power plants are three major sources of local air pollutants, over $10 billion was set aside to launch a scheme to phase out old diesel commercial vehicles in 2014.[13][14] Starting from 2015, ocean-going vessels are required to switch to low-sulphur fuel while berthing in Hong Kong, making Hong Kong the first Asian city to implement mandatory fuel switch at berth.[15] From 2019 onwards, vessels are further required to use low-sulphur fuel within Hong Kong waters to dovetail with the establishment of the first marine emission control area across Asia.[16] The power plants have also been continuously reducing the emission of air pollutants. By 2020, the percentage of coal-fired electricity generation has been substantially reduced from about 50% in 2015 to about 25%.[17] The overall air quality in Hong Kong has improved evidently in recent years. For the five years from 2013 to 2018, the ambient concentrations of major air pollutants, including respirable suspended particulates, fine suspended particulates, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, have dropped by 28% to 54%, whereas roadside concentrations of such air pollutants have also dropped by 32% to 36%.[18]

On the penetration of electric private cars, Mainland cities such as Beijing, Hangzhou and Tianjin have the highest ratio of the number of electric private cars to the overall number of private cars among the major Asian cities, reaching about 2-4% in recent years. They are followed by Hong Kong (closed to 2%) and Tokyo (1.3%). The ratios of other cities in the same year (2018) were: Seoul (0.3%), Singapore (0.1%) and Taipei (<0.1%). As mentioned in the 2019 Policy Address, the Government will prepare for a $2 billion pilot subsidy scheme to subsidise the installation of electric vehicle charging-enabling infrastructure in car parks of existing private residential buildings. It is anticipated that the pilot scheme will run for about 3 years to cover roughly 60 000 private parking spaces.[19]

On waste management, the key strategies include:

The plan to implement quantity-based waste charging through legislation based on the principles of “waste reduction at source and polluter pays”, in tandem with the Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme,[20] as well as producer responsibility schemes (PRS) on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)[21][22] and glass beverage containers,[23] etc.

The Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign,[24] under which the Big Waster icon has been created to encourage the public to reduce food waste at source; the Big Waster on Facebook and Big Waster on Instagram platforms have been established to provide information on “food wise and waste less” and other green messages; and non-governmental organisations have been funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund to promote surplus food donation.[25]

Waste separation and recovery, for which the Clean Recycling Campaign[26] has been rolled out in continuation of the “blue for paper, yellow for aluminium cans, brown for plastic bottles” campaign launched about 20 years ago; a mobile application “Waste Less”[27] has been developed to display over 7 000 recyclable collection points across the territory; Community Green Stations (CGS) have been set up to progressively develop a CGS network[28] to enhance waste reduction and recycling in different districts in Hong Kong; and a $1 billion Recycling Fund has been launched to support the recycling industry.[29]

Waste-to-energy, for which the T・PARK is built to treat sludge from the sewage treatment works and generate energy; a network of Organic Resources Recovery Centres (O・PARKs) is built in phases,[30][31] and the trial on food waste/sewage sludge anaerobic co-digestion technology is being carried out at the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works to transform food waste into renewable energy. In 2018, around 15 000 tonnes of food waste were recovered to turn waste into energy, and the amount of food waste recovered rose to 34 000 tonnes in 2019. It is expected that food waste recycling will be extended to include part of the domestic food waste in 2020, with an estimated recovery amount of 45 000 tonnes. There will be two more food waste treatment facilities in Hong Kong in the coming two to three years: Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works where food waste/sewage sludge anaerobic co-digestion will be introduced and the O・PARK2 in North District.[32]

Proposals for yard waste management are introduced to turn yard waste into energy and resources.

In respect of waste reduction, three pieces of legislation relating to PRS were passed during 2012 to 2017, covering plastic shopping bags, glass beverage containers, and WEEE. In addition, a bill on municipal solid waste charging was introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) at the end of 2018.[33][34][35] The government-funded WEEE‧PARK, which commenced operation in 2018, has adopted advanced technologies for proper recycling and treatment of locally generated WEEE. As at mid-2019, the WEEE‧PARK has processed about 600 000 pieces of WEEE, including about 150 000 washing machines, 70 000 refrigerators, and a total of 380 000 televisions, air-conditioners and computer products, turning waste into resources.[36]

On nature conservation, an ordinance was enacted by the LegCo in 2013 to incorporate the country park enclaves of Tai Long Sai Wan (Sai Wan), Kam Shan and Yuen Tun into their respective country parks, increasing the area of country parks by about 38 hectares.[37] In 2016, the Environment Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department completed the first city-level Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Hong Kong.[38] In June 2017, the Government announced its in-principle agreement to conserving a private land with very high ecological value in Sha Lo Tung through non-in-situ land exchange, with a view to conserving this area renowned for having marshes and streams among woodland and being a sanctuary for dragonflies.[39] The Government amended the relevant ordinance in May 2018 to progressively phase out local ivory trade by the end of 2021, and to increase penalties on smuggling of and illegal trade in endangered species to deter the related activities.[40]

The Environmental Protection Department established the Countryside Conservation Office in July 2018, and earmarked $1 billion to support minor improvement works in the remote countryside, as well as the countryside conservation and revitalisation projects conducted by non-profit making organisations.[41]

In addition, the Southwest Lantau Marine Park, covering an area of about 650 hectares, has formally become the fifth marine park in Hong Kong with effect from 1 April 2020. This is conducive to providing a better habitat for marine life such as the Chinese white dolphins.[42]

To implement the Paris Agreement, the HKSAR Government has set a target that by 2030, carbon intensity should be lower than the 2005 level by 65% to 70%. By then, the per capita carbon emissions will be reduced to 3.3-3.8 tonnes per year. Figures show that Hong Kong’s carbon emissions peaked in 2014. The per capita carbon emissions also decreased from 6.2 tonnes (peak) in 2014 to 5.5 tonnes in 2017, and are anticipated to decrease further to 4.5 tonnes in 2020.[43] The Government has invited the Council for Sustainable Development to engage the public in a dialogue to help formulate a longer-term decarbonisation strategy.[44]

The Energy Saving Plan for the Built Environment 2015~2025+ published by the Government in 2015 sets a specific energy saving target: reducing the energy intensity by 40% by 2025, using 2005 as the base. So far, a reduction of more than 30% has been achieved. In order to meet this target, the Government has introduced a series of measures, including providing tax concession for energy-efficient and renewable energy installations,[45] raising the statutory energy efficiency standards of buildings,[46] constructing district cooling systems and promoting retro-commissioning that helps existing buildings to save energy[47]。

The Government also actively promotes renewable energy. Since 2018, it has introduced Feed-in Tariff (FiT), and implemented a number of facilitation measures, including relaxing the restrictions on the installation of solar energy generation systems on the rooftops of “village houses”,[48] exempting individuals participating in the FiT Scheme from applying for business registration and paying related profits tax,[49] and launching Solar Harvest to install solar energy generation systems for schools and welfare organisations free of charge.[50] As at the end of 2019, the two power companies had approved about 6 000 FiT applications in total. The solar panels involved can cover about 70 standard football pitches, and the electricity generated annually equals the electricity consumption of twice the number of residential units in Taikoo Shing.[51] The Government has also taken the lead in installing renewable energy facilities at its premises (including reservoirs and landfills) and strengthening its effort to turn waste to energy.

In 2017, Wong launched a blog (SEN’s Blog)[52] to brief the public on the latest progress of his policy initiatives with the help of video clips and images. In addition, Wong Kam Sing on Facebook and Wong Kam Sing on Instagram pages have been set up in recent years to strengthen communication with the public.

Personal experience

After graduated from CCC Kei Tsz Primary School,[53] Wong studied in St Bonaventure College and High School and Po Leung Kuk CFA No. 1 College (now called Po Leung Kuk No.1 W.H. Cheung College). Wong got his degree from the Faculty of Architecture of The University of Hong Kong in 1988. He then received further education on sustainable built environment from the graduate school of The University of British Columbia in Canada in the 1990s.

Family

Wong’s wife, Susan Leung So-wan, is also an architect. Leung has been the Chair of the Board of Local Affairs of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. They have a daughter.

References

1. "Central Gov't appoints new HKSAR team". Information Services Department. 28 June 2012.
2. Hong Kong Green Building Council on Facebook
3. "A Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong" (PDF). Environment Bureau. March 2013.
4. "Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong shows Government determination to improve air quality - press release". Information Services Department. March 2013.
5. "Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong (2013-2017 Progress Report)" (PDF). Environment Bureau. June 2017.
6. "Hong Kong Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013–2022" (PDF). Environment Bureau. May 2013.
7. "A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014–2022" (PDF). Environment Bureau. February 2014.
8. "Energy Saving Plan for Hong Kong's Built Environment 2015–2025+" (PDF). Environment Bureau. May 2015.
9. "Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2016–2021" (PDF). Environment Bureau. December 2016.
10. "Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2030+" (PDF). Environment Bureau. January 2017.
11. "New Air Quality Objectives - press release". Information Services Department. July 2013.
12. "Air Quality Health Index - press release". Information Services Department. December 2013.
13. "Ex-gratia payment scheme to phase out pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles - press release". Information Services Department. February 2014.
14. "改善空氣 雷厲風行 老舊柴油車 被「判死刑」". Sing Pao Daily News. 19 October 2012. Archived from the original Check |url= value (help) on 13 February 2015.
15. "Ocean-going vessels required to switch to clean fuel while at berth- press release". Information Services Department. June 2015.
16. "Vessels required to use compliant fuel within Hong Kong waters - press release". Information Services Department. January 2019.
17. "Government to further reduce emissions from power plants - press release". Information Services Department. December 2019.
18. "Legislative Council Paper: Overall strategy for improving air quality submitted by EPD" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong. December 2019.
19. "Legislative Council Paper: Further Measures to Improve Air Quality (Part 1) submitted by EPD" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong. December 2019.
20. "Full Implementation of the Plastic Shopping Bag Charging". Environmental Protection Department.
21. "Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS)". Environmental Protection Department.
22. "政府建議撥五億屯門建廢電器電子產品回收設施". Commercial Radio Hong Kong. 23 January 2015.
23. "Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) on Glass Beverage Containers". Environmental Protection Department.
24. "Food Wise Hong Kong". Environmental Protection Department.
25. "Environment and Conservation Fund". Environmental Protection Department.
26. "EPD launches clean recycling publicity and public education campaign to promote waste reduction for all - press release". Information Services Department. 19 December 2017.
27. "Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website". Environmental Protection Department.
28. "Community Green Stations". Environmental Protection Department.
29. "黃錦星盼快審回收基金助源頭減廢". Sing Tao Daily. 24 January 2015.
30. "O · PARK1".
31. "籌建6有機資源回收中心". am730. 21 February 2014.
32. "回收廚餘變能源 環境更加好！- 黃錦星Facebook專頁（只有中文）". February 2020.
33. "ENB to introduce bill on municipal solid waste charging - press release". Information Services Department. October 2018.
34. "Legislative Council Brief: Waste Disposal (Charging for Municipal Solid Waste) (Amendment) Bill 2018" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
35. "環境局局長動議二讀《2018年廢物處置（都市固體廢物收費）（修訂）條例草案》發言全文（只有中文）". Information Services Department. November 2018.
36. "喂！2676 8888 舊電器免費回收 -《星星話》局長網誌（只有中文）". July 2019.
37. "Country park enclaves of Tai Long Sai Wan, Kam Shan and Yuen Tun to be incorporated into country parks - press release". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. July 2013.
38. "Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
39. "Non-in-situ land exchange agreed to promote long-term conservation of Sha Lo Tung - press release". Information Services Department. June 2017.
40. "Government will phase out local ivory trade and increase penalties on illicit trade in endangered species from May". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. April 2018.
41. "Countryside Conservation Office". Environmental Protection Department.
42. "Designation of Southwest Lantau Marine Park gazetted". Information Services Department. December 2019.
43. "冬至司長網誌：香港減碳達峰 - 黃錦星Facebook專頁（只有中文）". December 2019.
44. "Council for Sustainable Development for the public engagement".
45. "Enhanced tax incentive to promote renewable energy and building energy efficiency - press release". Information Services Department. March 2018.
46. "New edition of Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Building Services Installation and Code of Practice for Building Energy Audit gazetted - press release". Information Services Department. November 2018.
47. "Retro-commissioning". Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
48. "Guidance Notes for Solar Photovoltaic System Installation launched today - press release". Information Services Department. October 2018.
49. "Legislative Council Brief: Exemption from Profits Tax (Feed-in Tariff Scheme) Order" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
50. "Government launches Solar Harvest to support development of solar energy - press release". Information Services Department. March 2019.
51. "上網電價 稅務豁免令 - 黃錦星Facebook專頁（只有中文）". March 2020.
52. "星星話（只有中文）". Environment Bureau.
53. "中環出更：巧遇小學同窗 黃錦星喜合照". Oriental Daily News. 11 November 2013.

Political offices
Preceded by Edward Yau	Secretary for the Environment 2012–present	Incumbent
Order of precedence
Preceded by Fanny Law Non-official member of the Executive Council	Hong Kong order of precedence Secretary for the Environment	Succeeded by Jeffrey Lam Non-official member of the Executive Council