In Hong Kong, transportation accounts for 18% of the total greenhouses gases emission in 2019. The air pollution from transportation also worsen the environment and public health. Green transport would be a growing trend in achieving Carbon Neutral.

This survey aims to explore citizens’ transportation preferences and their acceptance of green transportation. The result will be released in July or August 2022.

Online Survey: https://forms.gle/hfAPSZjkY6M9ek6q8

Please take 2 to 3 minutes to complete this questionnaire. Thank you for your support!

Full-time Research Officer

Job Duties

1. Formulating and assisting campaigns to raise public awareness in urban planning, green building and tree conservation
2. Gathering and analyzing information
3. Responding promptly to environment and city planning policies
4. Communicating closely with different parties, writing submissions and opinions
5. Drafting texts and graphics for online platforms
6. Outdoor field work and research
7. Providing assistance for office operation and environmental activities

Requirements

• Graduates from Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Journalism, Social Science or relevant fields are preferred
• Good knowledge and sensitive to urban planning, building and environmental issues
• 1-2 years working experiences is an advantage
• Outdoors and flexible working hours may be required
• Good at information collection, able to work independently
• Proficiency in computer skills to complete job duties

Interested candidates please apply with (1) full resume, (2) present and expected salary and (3) 300 words commenting on urban planning in Hong Kong by e-mail (info@greensense.org.hk) on or before Friday, 27th Nov., 2020.

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Full-time Project Assistant

Job Duties

1. Mainly be responsible for waste reduction, environmental education and related activities
2. Communicating with the Government, public and private sectors, schools, other NGOs & the community
3. Assisting events such as workshop, seminar, ecotour
4. Handling online promotion such as maintaining website, social media platforms and advertising
5. Supporting events on weekends and outdoor occasionally

Requirements

• 1-2 years working experience are desired, environmental volunteering and working experiences are greatly considered
• Tertiary education graduate in relevant field such as Geography, Environmental Science or Biology related preferred
• Basic skill in popular graphic software (e.g. Photoshop or illustrator) is an advantage
• Immediate available is highly preferred

Interested candidates please apply with (1) full resume, (2) present and expected salary and (3) 300 words commenting on HK waste reduction by email (info@greensense.org.hk) on or before Wednesday, 25th Nov., 2020.

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Temporary Researcher

Job Duties

1. Formulating and assisting campaigns to raise public awareness in tree conservation and waste reduction
2. Outdoor field work and research
3. Gathering and analyzing information
4. Drafting texts and graphics for online platforms

Requirements

• Studying or Graduates in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Journalism, Social Science or relevant fields are preferred
• Good knowledge and sensitive to tree conservation and waste reduction
• Outdoors and flexible working hours may be required
• Able to work independently
• Proficiency in computer skills to complete job duties
• Immediate available is highly preferred

Interested candidates please apply with (1) full resume, (2) present and expected salary and (3) 300 words description on any previous research assisted (related to Tree conservation or waste reduction suggested) by e-mail (info@greensense.org.hk) on or before Friday, 27th Nov., 2020.

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Community Recycling Ambassador

Job Duties

1. Promoting “Waste Reduction at source” and Clean Recycling”
2. Assisting events such as recycling workshop and on-street promotion
3. Introducing waste separation and recycling procedures to the members of the public
4. Supporting events on weekends and outdoor occasionally

Requirements

• Studying or Graduates in Geography, Environmental Science or Environmental Protection relevant fields are preferred
• Recycling working or educational experience, environmental volunteering or working experiences are greatly considered
• Outgoing and talkative is an advantage
• Available in Dec is highly preferred

Interested candidates please apply with (1) full resume, and (2) present and expected salary by email (info@greensense.org.hk) on or before Wednesday, 25th Nov., 2020.

*Green Sense office is an air condition-free working environment around the year

Online shopping is the hottest issue in recent years. It brings convenience to our daily life. However, it also brings us loads of packaging waste made by various materials, which may be hard to recycle. An escalating number of shopping online purchase is led by the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, the packaging materials used are piling up as the same time.

Green Sense conducted a survey regarding the packaging of local online shopping in early April, 102 valid entries were collected. This survey is to study the current online shopping habit of Hong Kong citizens, the amount of packaging materials stemmed from online shopping, and post-consumption action taken. The findings may be able to let us rethink the waste problem led by online shopping, and urge the logistics company and online shops to reduce the packaging or use recyclable packaging materials instead.

Key Findings

1. Over-packaging problem is severe

Over half of the respondents (51%) share the same view that the situation of merchandises being over-packaged is severe. Summing up 656 items submitted, the average packing materials used was 2.18. It is common that one goods is wrapped by more than one packaging materials. The worst case was 12.67 units of packaging materials used for a single item.

2. Merchandises are wrapped in mixed packaging materials which is hard to recycle

Single online purchase could create up to 7 types of packaging materials including air bag, carton box, plastic bag, adhesive tape, bubble bag, cardboard and wrapping paper. Over half of the respondents mentioned single online purchase could receive at least have 4 types of packaging materials. Distinguishing recyclable materials would not be easy for citizens when an array of different packaging materials came at once. Given that adhesive tape is not recyclable, it is importance to separate tape from other materials beforehand. However, tapes are widely used in amount, that worsening waste separation and recycling.

3. Consumers willing to recycle face real-life obstacles

Notwithstanding most of the respondents are willing to recycle and reuse the packaging materials, the majority expressed their difficulties in recycling. Apart from the above mentioned reason, having too many kinds of packaging materials, they did not know where the packaging materials can be recycled. Government has long been focus on educating” three types of waste paper and two types of waste plastic containers” (Three types of waste paper covers newspapers, office papers, paperboard and two types of waste plastic containers include beverages or personal care products), Only the above waste plastic should be put into the waste separation bins.

However, packaging materials are not limited to the two types of waste plastic containers mentioned, other types of waste plastics can also be recyclable. For example, the inflatable air cushion plastic bag can be plastic code #2 or 4; bubble bags was found labelling #4, plastic bag can be made of plastic #2, 4 or 5; polyfoam wrappings are often found as #4 or 6. It is inconvenient for citizens to visit “Green Community Station”, usually remotely located, to recycle the above materials. The lack of waste recycling points does lower the recycling rate.

4. Respondents seek more environmental-friendly measures from online shops

The survey listed various environmental-friendly options in order to inquire environmental-friendly measures consumers are looking for (Question 9). About 90% of respondents hoped online shops to reduce unnecessary packaging, nearly 80% of the respondents opted that online shops should take the responsibility in reusing and making use of single or reusable packaging materials. Over 60% of the respondents accepted online platforms make good use of pre-owned or other brands packaging materials with a view to serving the purpose of reuse. Generally customers awaited online shops to implement more environmental-friendly measures. In which online shops and related platforms have to work in coordination with guidelines to cut down on the packaging.

Local green group Green Sense has long been paying close attention to urban environmental issues. Multiple scientific surveys have been conducted on both individual and organizational misuse of air conditioning in order to urge Hong Kong to reduce its electricity consumption and carbon emission. Surveys and researches examining air conditioning systems in various transport means and public places such as shopping malls were done throughout this decade.

Research background

According to ‘Hong Kong Energy End-use Data’ 2019 published by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, commercial buildings account for 66% to the total electricity consumption, of which 30 percent is used in air-conditioning. Specifically, energy consumption by end-uses in office for air-conditioning accounts for 55%. ^[1]This reflects that air-conditioner is inseparable with offices.

In addition, studies showed that the temperature in offices affects the working efficiency and productivity, even the relationship among colleagues. ^[2]However, 40% of workers cannot adjust the temperature in offices.^[3]

In order to arouse public awareness in wise use of air conditioning, we recently conducted a survey to investigate whether the air conditioner is probably used, the relationship between the air conditioner and working efficiency, and factors affecting one’s decision to adjust the temperature.

Methodology

In July and August 2019, we, with the help of volunteers, conducted street questionnaire in 5 commercial districts, namely Central, Admiralty, Quarry Bay, Kowloon Bay, and Kwun Tong. A total of 506 valid responses were collected. All results and graphs are available here.

Major findings

1. Half of the respondents feel too cold in the office, around 90% of them agree that the temperature affects their working efficiency. (Figure 1)
2. When feeling cold in the office, 70% of respondents passively adapt to it, which means they wear jackets or drink warm water. Only around 10% of respondents ‘actively take action’ to turn down the air conditioner. (Figure 2)
3. 60% of respondents cannot adjust the temperature of the air conditioner owing to the central air conditioning system (Figure 3). Among the respondents feeling cold in the office, 65% cannot turn down the air conditioner. (Figure 4)
4. The outdoor temperature ranges from 29°C to 35°C during the survey. Yet, nearly half of the respondents wore long sleeves. (Table 1)

Table 1

Results

Valid responses amounted to 506. The target group of the survey was residents working in the office. Summaries of responses of the 11 questions in the questionnaire are as follows:

1. (Q1) 50% of the respondents feel “very cold” and “cold”; 42% feel “moderate’; only 8% feel “hot” and “very hot”. This indicates the temperature setting of the air conditioner is too cold, which do not comfort the workers
2. (Q2) 47% of respondents consider 24-26°C as the most comfortable temperature, which is similar to the government’s proposal of turning the air conditioner to 25.5°C; Following by the option “21-23°C”, which 42% agreed with it. Only one respondent reflects that there is no air conditioner in the office. The results reflect that air conditioners have already been part of our working environment.
3. (Q3) 86% of respondents’ working efficiency is affected by indoor temperature. From the scale “0” as no effect to “4“ with great effect, 43% of them selected “3” and 25% select “4”. The average is 2.43.
4. (Q4) When feeling cold in the office, 76% of respondents wear jackets; Following wearing jackets are drinking warm water (24.7%) and turning down the air conditioner (22.9%). Other methods include turning on the heater, using an electric blanket, etc. Turning on the air conditioner while using these devices create wastage of electricity.
5. (Q5) 11% of respondents had conflicts with colleagues because of the temperature of the air conditioner.
6. (Q6) Only 40% of respondents can adjust the temperature of the air conditioner. This implies that even feeling cold, they cannot turn down the air conditioner.
7. (Q7) The major reason for the above situation is attributed to the central air conditioning system (71%). Moreover, 14% and 13% of respondents answered ‘do not know how to adjust the temperature’ and ‘have no authority to adjust’ respectively.
8. (Q8) The number of questionnaires collected in each district
9. (Q9-10) The sex and age distribution of the respondents
10. (Q11) 47% of the respondents wear long sleeves on that day

Conclusion and suggestion

Turning on the air con while wearing long sleeves is definitely a waste of electricity. Global warming is increasingly serious. Hong Kong, as a coastal city, will bear the brunt of global warming in rising of sea level. Therefore, it needs a stronger action to reduce carbon emission. As commercial activities consume the most in terms of electricity, at the same time the use of air conditioners accounts for a high proportion, it could be a way to combat global warming. Reducing electricity usage can even prevent the government to buy electricity from mainland China, which enables Hong Kong to have a more stable and sustainable electricity supply.

With the aim of raising public awareness in reducing the usage of the air conditioner, together with the above findings, the following are some of the recommendations to the government, companies, and individuals.

The Government:

• Promoting casual dressing to work, like conducting a Pilot Scheme in governmental offices
• Encouraging companies to participate in the government’s Energy Saving Charter
• Following the Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme and IAQ Certification Scheme for Offices and Public Places, encourage companies to comply with the listed standards, like setting the indoor temperature in between 20 to 25.5°C and speed of air movement. Suitable indoor temperature could help improve the indoor air quality

Company:

• For companies using the central air conditioning system, they should reflect the needs to turn down the air conditioner to the property management offices
• Apart from meeting clients, “smart casual” instead of “formal” dress code is suggested, to reduce the usage of the air conditioner
• Using fans to assist the air conditioner, which can reduce the electricity consumption of the air conditioner
• Installing shading curtain, or applying window film to prevent direct exposure to sunlight

Individual:

• Actively request for turning down the air conditioner instead of passively adapt to it
• Prevent the use of heaters or electric blankets to avoid further wastage
• Drinking water and using mat to reduce reliance on the air conditioner

Follow-up actions

• We shall continue to examine and monitor the public air con usage, and carry out further studies when necessary.
• Results of the survey would be widely promoted in our annual energy saving event No Air Con Night along with the message and related information of using air conditioners smartly

No Air Con Night 2019

Until 16th September, 13 universities and tertiary institutions, and 224 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools (102 kindergartens, 85 primary schools, and special schools and 37 secondary schools) have registered to participate in No Air Con Night 2019. Participating institutions have also promoted this green event on their campuses. In addition, more than 190 companies and organizations, as well as 700 properties have joined the event and agreed to promote it with full efforts among their employees.

We are now inviting various public figures to participate in the event to encourage the public. This year we are happy to have Mr. Mok Ho-kwong of Natural Network, influential travel writer Mr. James Akio Hong. We are also inviting LegCo members and district councilors to participate and motivate the public to turn off their air con at night.

On 5th October, it will be our 10th Anniversary Special: The Day and Night of No Air Con. the activity will start from 1 pm to 9 pm in Vessel 01, Kwun Tong Promenade. Bunch of interesting activities including workshops and workout classes will be held for the public to enjoy in an air con-free environment. We welcome all to turn off their air con, head out to Kwun Tong and have a great night at the promenade.

For more information about no air con night and energy-saving: http://greensense.org.hk/noaircon

A survey about indoor temperature (air conditioning) was conducted over 10 shopping malls. A total of 486 customers’ feedback on air-conditioning in those malls was also collected via questionnaires. The results revealed 9 out of 10 malls being measured do not conform to the temperature range stated in “Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature”. By comparing to the results of the questionnaires, it is also suggested that customers may not necessarily feel more comfortable in lower temperatures. It is the time for the shopping mall management to drop the idea “colder the better” and take customers’ actual feeling with environmental consideration into their temperature management plan.

Green Sense is a local green group focusing on urban environmental and planning issues. We have investigated and reported about air-con abuse situations in public transport and public space, in order to promote energy saving and ultimately reduce carbon emissions in Hong Kong. Green Sense had previously conducted a shopping mall air con survey in 2008.

Coincides with the upcoming “No Air-Con Night 2016” event, air-con survey of shopping malls were conducted in the last two months. The survey consists of two parts: 1) a standardized measurement of average indoor temperature of 10 shopping malls and 2) 486 questionnaires were collected by to reflect customers’ actual thermal feelings of indoor temperature in those malls.

This survey integrated “objective” temperature data and “subjective” felling of customers which is useful to explain why the malls should improve, and provide a better and reasonable framework for indoor temperature management.

Background

Electricity generation is accounted for about 68% of Hong Kong’s total carbon emissions. If we are really eager to slow down climate change by reducing carbon emissions, cutting down electricity usage is of utmost importance. As air conditioning is the biggest electricity consumer in buildings, Green Sense believes that the problem of air con abuse is worth exploring.

In 2012, Environment Bureau introduced “Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature” which aimed to encourage buildings, organizations and companies to pledge “to maintain an average indoor temperature of between 24 – 26°C in the summer months from June to September”.

Methodology

Phase One: About 30 shopping malls were sampled randomly for preliminary indoor temperature measurement in July 2016. It was then narrowed down to 10 shopping malls based on the result of preliminary measurement, previous survey results, whether the mall had joined the Charter and their establish time.

Phase Tw0: The 10 malls were subjected to detail temperature measurement in accordance with the measurement guideline set out by the Environment Bureau. Questionnaire interview was also conducted for each selected mall.

Analysis

Part I. The “Objective” Part – Indoor Temperature Data

1. The overall situation is slightly improved when compared to the survey result in 2008. However, the average temperature of 10 malls was measured at only 22.8℃, which 9 out of 10 malls were measured with average temperature lower than 24℃ as stated in the charter (24-26℃).
2. The lowest average indoor temperature (21.7℃) was recorded at Lions Rise Mall; whereas the lowest measured single spot temperature (19.8℃) was recorded at YOHO mall.
3. A significant difference between outdoor temperature and indoor temperature could build up (maximum difference measured: 11.8℃) which may bring discomfort to and affect health of customers.

Part II. The “Subjective” Part – Questionnaire

There were total 486 valid questionnaires. Respondents were the customers leaving the 10 selected shopping malls. The questionnaires contained 10 questions about feedback of indoor temperature of the mall.

Q1. What do you feel in this mall? (Rate: -3 “too cold” to 0 “comfortable” to 3 “too hot”)

59% of respondents thought it was comfortable. Although there is not serious complaint about the temperature, the weight average -0.5 reflects a general remark of “too cold” in the shopping malls.

Q2. How satisfied are you with the indoor temperature of this mall? (Rate: 1 “very dissatisfied” to 5 “very satisfied”)

The respondents are generally satisfied with the indoor temperature. However, a specific relationship cannot be concluded between customer satisfaction and the respective mall indoor temperature.

For the mall recorded with the highest average temperature (The Landmark at 24.1^oC) and the coldest (Lion Rise Mall at 21.7^oC), both malls were also said to be acceptable (average rating 3.39 and 3.36 respectively). It suggests the tolerance of indoor temperature of customers is ranged, and there should be other factors other than temperature which have effect on customers’ satisfaction.

Q3. Which indoor temperature do you feel the most comfortable?

24^oC received highest number of votes. 24^oC and 25^oC were the first two prior choices which accounted for more than half of (57%) respondents.

Considering (Q2) the customers well accept 24^oC as comfortable temperature and (Q3) the respondents also perceive 24^oC-25^oC as the most comfortable indoor temperature, and further taking importance of environmental concerns in account, Green Sense believes that it is reasonable to request shopping malls keeping their indoor temperature between (24^oC-26^oC) as stated by the Charter.

Q4. Does indoor temperature affect your will of shopping? (Rate: 0 “no effect” to 4 “severe effect”)

73% of respondents said indoor temperature does affect their will of shopping. The result suggests an economic incentive for the shopping malls to adjusting the indoor temperature within customer “comfortable zone”.

Q5. If you feel “too cold” in a mall, what will you do?

About one-third of respondents would leave the mall immediately, which is related to the business of the shopping malls.

Apart from it, only 17% of customers would inform the customer service/ mall staff for the over cold temperature, which could be a result of the thinking “it is not effective by only individual complaints/ the customer service is not going to reflect my view”.

Q6. Compared with the summer 5 years ago, how do you feel about this summer? (Rate: colder to hotter)

Most of the respondents agree this summer is hotter than that of 5 years ago.

Q7. Do you know what ‘Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature’ is?

61% did not know about it.

Q8. Do you know what “thermal comfort” is?

61% did not know about it.

Q9&10. Respondents’ gender and age.

Conclusions

In recent years, global climate change has become more severe. Extreme weather occurs more frequently and Hong Kong will inevitably subject to its effect. We aim to remind the public and community to take prompt action in order to face the challenges arose from climate change.

The survey results indicated some malls still wastes much power by unnecessarily keeping their indoor temperature as low as 21^oC, much lower that the 24^oC-26^oC temperature range suggested by the Charter. From the feedback from customers it is also suggested that temperature is not the sole factor of making people comfortable. Since people feel and perceive 24℃-25℃ is the most comfortable temperature range, shopping malls should raising their indoor temperature to such range so as to comfort their customers and save energy at the same.

Green Sense urges properties management companies to prevent abusing air-con and drop the believe “colder the better”. A wise temperature management can relief strain on environment, improve customer satisfaction and bring economic benefits.

Suggestions

Temperature is merely one of the several factors affecting how the customer really feels (“Thermal comfort”). Instead of lowering the indoor temperature (which is the most energy and money consuming way) to comfort the customers, it would be more wise to work on other thermal comfort factors such as ventilation and humidity. Closer collaboration between property managements, academic field and green groups are urged to provide stronger support for environmental friendly indoor temperature control schemes.

Follow-ups

• Contacting the management companies to discuss what should be done to comply with the Charter.
• Urging Environment Bureau to strengthen the promotion and supervision of the Charter.
• Enhancing the education about wise air-con using.
• Continuing to study how thermal comfort to be fully considering in controlling indoor temperature and hence to reduce power consumption.
• Civil – Commercial Cooperation: Long-term monitoring of the public feeling about the indoor temperature (e.g. questionnaire / mobile app); an incentive monitoring program on indoor temperature.