The Green Building Initiatives Mr C M Leung 1, Mr C M Chung 2, Dr M F Hui 3, Ms Maria S H Lau 4 1 Buildings Department, HKSAR, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone: + 852 2626 1200. Fax: + 852 2868 0793. E-mail:
[email protected] 2 Buildings Department, HKSAR, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone: + 852 2626 1478. Fax: + 852 2845 1559. E-mail:
[email protected] 3 Buildings Department, HKSAR, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone: + 852 2626 1354. Fax: + 852 2845 1559. E-mail:
[email protected] 4 Buildings Department, HKSAR, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone: + 852 2626 1442. Fax: + 852 2845 1559. E-mail:
[email protected] 1. INTRODUCTION The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARG) is committed to promoting Sustainable Buildings. This is evident in the Policy Address 2000 given by the Chief Executive, Mr. Tung Chee Hwa. He stressed the importance of innovation and technology for future economic growth and pledged continual vigilance in protecting the environment. The Buildings Department is the arm of the HKSARG that forged the green building movement. This paper chronicles our efforts in breaking new grounds for a market driven green building industry that deliver environmentally friendly buildings. 2. GREEN BUILDING MOVEMENT The primary responsibility of the Buildings Department is to ensure compliance with statutory standards set in the Buildings Ordinance for the private sector. We are the regulators that “provide for the planning, design and construction of buildings and associated works; to make provision for the rendering safe of dangerous buildings and land; and to make provision for matters connected therewith.” The green building concept is in line with our vision: “To make the built environment safe and healthy for our community”, and mission “To set and enforce safety, health and environmental standards for private buildings.” We have adopted a set of comprehensive strategies to set the Green Building Movement rolling.