10th Anniversary Booklet - The Professional Green Building Council

Ir Prof. Reuben CHUPGBC Chairman [2007-08]Leading The Way to a Bright Green FutureIt is my pleasure to congratulate The Professional Green Building Council (PGBC) on its 10thanniversary. Serving as the Chairman of PGBC in 2007 and 2008 was a treasured, challenging,and satisfying experience. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every member ofindustry professionals for their support and assistance during my tenure.1The PGBC is a relay race in which the mission and commitments have been carried on for 10years. It has been campaigning for the transformation of design, construction and managementmethods of the industry into practices that are environmentally and socially responsible, safeand healthy, and a prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.As for 2006, the Green Building Award (GBA) was first launched by the PGBC and I washonoured to be the Chairman of the GBA Organizing Committee. It really impressed me as ithas successfully raised awareness and promoted sustainable building practices in local industryand received overwhelmingly encouraging support and participation from various parties. I ampleased to know that the scope of the GBA has been expanded to cover projects in the AsiaPacific region since 2010 and it has become one of the important events in industry.The PGBC strives to create a positive impact on the region’s built environment by acceleratingthe adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies, and standards. We understandthat building construction and operation have extensive direct and indirect impacts on theenvironment. It is encouraging to learn that environmental concerns and issues are gaining itsdue prominence, which is indeed a healthy sign and augurs well for the future.Since the built environment has a huge impact on our daily lives, our society, we believethat sustainability is compatible with profitability, and that a low carbon, sustainable builtenvironment will play a crucial role in the Hong Kong’s transition to a green economy andthus green buildings can minimize environmental impacts on the planet, help provide peoplewith a better quality of life and which offer better value for organizations. Nowadays, HongKong is committed to ensuring that our future generations can continue to thrive in a cleanand green environment. It is necessary to incorporate the concept of sustainability into thebuilding design and its management, hence reducing the environmental impacts to natureand improving our standard of living. I am sure through the collaborative efforts of variousparties in the society, we will create a sustainable and green built environment for our futuregenerations.As we look towards our next decade, I see PGBC proceeding with growing strength, a continuedcommitment to making Hong Kong as one of the international platforms for exchange ofexperience, technology and visions of green construction. I am very proud to be one of themand am thankful to be given such a fulfilling opportunity. Indeed, I am amazed and deeplytouched by the passion, dedication, and professionalism demonstrated by various industryprofessionals.29Thank you very much and wish PGBC every success in building a green & sustainable future.