WONG Chung-wa, Alan - Civil Engineering and Development Department

SCA 2018 Construction Manager - Outstanding Award

Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme is an unique, territory-wide slope retrofitting programme to protect life and property supporting sustainable development of the society. Since its launching in 1977, the programme has substantially reduced the overall landslide risk of Hong Kong by over 75%. The programme forms a key element of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s adaptation strategy with respect to extreme rainfall events. In the programme, landscaping and greening measures are integrated with slope works to improve slope appearance and the built environment. The use of innovative low carbon footprint enginering solutions is also strongly promoted.

Enhance ecology and promote biodiversity –

Landscape greening measures are integrated with slope works with a view to making the environment to be safer, greener, and more liveable. Each year, about 300,000 trees and shrubs are planted resulting in enhancement in carbon sinking. The use of native species also helps improve the ecology and biodiversity of the environment.

Flexible barriers as a low carbon footprint solution to combat debris flow –

Defensive mitigation measures such as flexible barriers are specified as far as practicable in lieu of rigid barriers to deal with debris flow arising from natural hillsides in order to minimise the required earthworks, tree felling and concreting works.

Promote the use of advanced technologies –

During the design stage, advanced remote sensing techniques (e.g. air-borne and terrestrial light detection and ranging (Lidar) technique) are employed for 3D scanning and building high resolution digital terrain models so as to enhance the efficiency of landslide hazard assessment and debris runout evaluation and design of debris resisting barrier.

About the Model

The HKSAR Chief Executive had announced in the 2017 Policy Address to position Hong Kong as an Asia’s green finance hub for raising green capital. In view of the substantial GDP contributed by the construction sector annually, the construction industry has a high potential to meet the trend of green finance. Thus, there is a need to well define the green standard and system to facilitate the application of green finance in construction industry.

The Model aims to act as an interactive guide on environmental practices and advanced technologies for construction projects which is compatible with international green bond/loan principle. Green finance can mobilise capital for green and low carbon investments in the construction industry. Public owners, developers, contractors and suppliers could issue green financial instruments for funding their projects with reference to the guideline of this model.

Interactive guide to classify construction practices based on green finance principle

Interactive guide to classify construction practices based on green finance principles

User-friendly model for set up its own checklist and sustainability KPIs

User-friendly model for set up its own checklist and sustainability KPIs

Sustainable hub to share latest local and intentional solutions

Sustainable hub to share latest local and international solutions

Why the Industry Needs Green Finance?

  • Green finance providing benefits for assisting the transition from the ‘brown’ to the ‘green’ construction.
  • Green finance can mobilise capital for green and low carbon investments in the construction industry
  • Stakeholders can seek opportunities for long pay back initiatives and low interest rates when adopting advanced and innovative measures.
  • To encourage investors from the Mainland along the Belt and Road as well as international investors to arrange green financing through Hong Kong construction capital markets.

Components of Green Bond/Loan Principles

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Green bond/ loan proceeds are to be applied for environmental (or “green”) projects with an indicative list of eligible project categories. See the figure below for the 10 eligible Green Project Categories.

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Recommends issuers/ borrowers to disclose their overall green objectives, the process used to determine eligibility of green projects, and the process to manage environmental and social risks of these projects.

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The net proceeds of the Green Bond/ Loan, or an amount equal to these net proceeds, should be credited to a sub-account, moved to a sub-portfolio or otherwise tracked by the issuer/ borrower in an appropriate manner, and attested to by the issuer/ borrower in a formal internal process linked to the issuer’s/ borrower’s lending and investment operations for green projects.

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Recommends annual reporting of the amounts allocated and results of the eligible green projects.

Green Project Categories

Key Features

no. of sustainability measures compatible with international green bond and green loan principle
41
no. of sustainability measures compatible with international green bond and green loan principles
no. of stakeholders and green finance experts engaged
162
no. of stakeholders and green finance experts engaged
no. of pilot projects
30
no. of pilot projects

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