Greening plays an important role in building an environmentally friendly society. It brings about many benefits to our environment, and engages various sectors of the society. This article outlines the benefits of greening, Hong Kong Government's greening policies, and ways in which you can take part in greening Hong Kong.

Greening can bring about many benefits. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thus refreshing the air for our breathing. They also absorb gaseous contaminants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere. 

Greening can beautify our environment, especially in a densely populated city like Hong Kong where trees and shrubs provide freshness, beauty, comfort and elegance for our enjoyment. It can improve the urban living conditions and enhance the quality of our lives.

To better guide the planning, design and implementation of greening works, the Government started to develop Greening Master Plans (GMPs) for urban areas since 2004. The Plans aim to define an overall greening framework by identifying suitable locations for planting with desirable themes and species, thus paving the way for continuous and consistent results in enhancing the green environment of the urban areas.

In developing the Plan, district characteristics have been given full consideration. For example, the GMP for Central adopts "Heart of Gold" as the theme to reflect and highlight its role as the financial hub of Hong Kong by using plants with golden, yellow, orange and red colours. The theme of GMP for Tsim Sha Tsui is "Jade Necklace" which aims to provide pedestrians and visitors with a relaxing and enjoyable experience by linking up major greened areas.

• More on Greening Master Plans
  http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/greening/

Besides GMPs, greening has been positively integrated into the design of government buildings. In addition to implementing greening at ground levels, Government has been exploring ways to increase the greening areas in government buildings, like rooftop greening and vertical greening.

Since 2001, Government has incorporated rooftop greening designs into the appropriate new government building projects. The buildings involved include schools, crematoria, hospitals, offices, community centres, etc. Furthermore, Government has put forth pilot schemes to retrofit green roofs in existing government buildings since 2006. Rooftop greening not only provides extra green spaces but also improves cityscape and enhances the effectiveness of heat insulation. When applied on a large scale, it can attenuate urban heat island effect as well.

• More information on retrofit green roofs on existing government buildings
  http://www.archsd.gov.hk/english/reports/sustain_report_2009/en/2008-highlights.html

Apart from rooftop greening, Government has embarked upon pilot schemes on vertical greening. Since 2008, vertical greening has been adopted in some government capital works projects including schools and government buildings. Vertical greening not only increases the amenity value of the site but also improves air quality. In the long run, it can also reduce urban heat island effect.

• More information on study on green roof and vertical greening application in Hong Kong
  http://www.archsd.gov.hk/archsd_home01.asp?Path_Lev1=7

Greening culture is also promoted in schools. There are numerous greening methods, such as the cultivation of groves, landscaped gardens, lawns, shrubbery, garden plots, container plants, and the setting up of planters, trellises and hanging baskets. Schools can apply for subsidy through the Greening School Subsidy Scheme launched by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). You can make your choice based on the size of the school campus, the existing facilities and the available resources.

• More on Greening School Handbook
  http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/en/handbookindex.php
• More on Greening School Subsidy Scheme
  http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/subsidy/en/index.php

In order to promote public understanding of the green-roof concept and technical requirements, the Government's "Study on Green Roof Application in Hong Kong" is available for public reference on the website of the Architectural Services Department.

• More information on "Study on Green Roof Application in Hong Kong"
  http://www.archsd.gov.hk/archsd_home01.asp?Path_Lev1=7

Seminars have also been held to share with the relevant stakeholders the experience on rooftop greening and vertical greening in government buildings.

• More information on experience sharing on roof greening and vertical greening in government buildings (pdf file)
  http://www.archsd.gov.hk/english/knowledge_sharing/e2154.pdf

To encourage the participation of the private sector, the Environment and Conservation Fund under the Environment Bureau is open to applications from non-profit making institutions for funding support to greening projects, including roof greening and vertical greening.

• More information on Environment and Conservation Fund
  http://www.ecf.gov.hk/en/application/index.html

A green Hong Kong needs your support and participation. For individuals, you can join as a green volunteer under the Green Volunteer Scheme to undertake simple horticultural maintenance of street trees, provide outreach services to schools and elderly centres, and serve as stewards in greening promotion activities.

• More on Green Volunteer Scheme
  http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/en/greenvolunteer.php

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, LCSD and the Home Affairs Department have all along organised many tree planting activities and other green programmes for community participation. You can visit their websites for their latest activities and programmes.

• Leisure and Cultural Services Department's website
  http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/
• Home Affairs Department's website
  http://www.had.gov.hk/
• Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's website
  http://www.afcd.gov.hk/