Hong Kong Launches Energy Saving Charters to Promote Carbon Reduction and Sustainable Practices

Launching Ceremony for Energy Saving Charter 2026 and 4T Charter held today

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) held the Launching Ceremony for Energy Saving Charter 2026 and 4T Charter today (June 23) to encourage the community to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and build a green future together.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Under Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said that this year marks the first year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline explicitly calls for accelerating the green transformation of economic and social development and building a Beautiful China. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will proactively align with the nation's green development and continue to advance and deepen environmental protection and ecological efforts. Miss Wong expressed the hope that all sectors of society will work together with the Government to mitigate climate change, striving to achieve carbon neutrality in Hong Kong before 2050.

Miss Wong also said that the amended Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance will be fully implemented this September, which extends the scope of energy efficiency regulation to more types of buildings, shortens the energy audit intervals, and mandates the disclosure of technical information in energy audit reports. The amendments are expected to save an additional 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year by 2035, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 150 000 three-person households.

This year, over 3 500 premises have signed up to the Energy Saving Charter 2026. They pledged to maintain the average indoor temperature at their premises between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius during the summer months from June to September, switch off appliances when not in use, procure energy-efficient appliances and systems, promote the use of renewable energy, share energy saving measures and achievements with staff and students, and engage them to adopt energy-saving measures together. In addition, over 870 premises have joined the 4T Charter, which aims to enhance energy saving by setting an energy-saving target with an action timeline, enhancing data transparency and encouraging stakeholders to work together. The EMSD will also arrange seminars for the trades regularly to promote the practice of energy saving and reducing carbon emissions.

At the ceremony, the Deputy Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (Regulatory Services), Mr Arthur Lee; former Chairman of the Energy Advisory Committee Mr Edmund Leung; and former Legislative Council Member Dr Lo Wai-kwok presented awards to winners of the Energy Saving Competition for Students 2025. The competition aims to promote energy saving among schools, as well as raise public awareness of environmental protection. This year's competition received an encouraging response with over 440 entries.

Details of the Energy Saving Charter 2026, 4T Charter and Energy Saving Competition for Students 2025, along with the winners' energy saving initiatives, were uploaded to the Energy Saving for All website (www.energysaving.gov.hk).

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department held the Launching Ceremony for Energy Saving Charter 2026 and 4T Charter today (June 23) to encourage the community to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and build a green future together. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, delivering her speech at the launching ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department held the Launching Ceremony for Energy Saving Charter 2026 and 4T Charter today (June 23) to encourage the community to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and build a green future together. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong (front row, 10th left), and the Deputy Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (Regulatory Services), Mr Arthur Lee (front row, 10th right), with guests at the launching ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 15) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with members of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health, the Housing Department (HD) and the Hong Kong Police Force at Chuk Yuen South Estate and Tsz Ching Estate in Wong Tai Sin. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.

Customs officers patrolled the housing estates and introduced to residents Customs' enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes, and reminded them that the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes has been increased to a $2 million fine and seven-years' imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.

Customs officers also introduced the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong to members of the District Council, residents, newspaper stall keepers and cigarette retailers. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. The department will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs expects the Duty Stamp System to achieve the ultimate goal of effective distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat "cheap whites".

Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflet). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public are also urged to report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflet distribution to TACO's hotline 2961 8823.

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns in Wong Tai Sin District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases