The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 7) announced that the department tested 122 water samples collected from cooling towers in 75 buildings during its routine inspections in July this year. Ten samples were detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1 000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.

     The cooling towers in which the 10 samples were collected are located at Fung Cheung Building, 41 Fung Cheung Road, Yuen Long; 8 Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai; 27C Shui Wo Street, Kwun Tong; 123 San Shing Avenue, North District; Honour Industrial Centre, 6 Sun Yip Street, Eastern District; 157 Blue Pool Road, Wan Chai; Star Mansion, 3 Minden Row, Yau Tsim Mong; 32-34 Nathan Road, Yau Tsim Mong; 13 New Reclamation Wharf, Southern District, and 82 Lok Shan Road, Kowloon City. The EMSD has issued nuisance notices under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to the owners of the cooling towers requiring appropriate disinfection work to be done. Among them, the owners of nine cooling towers have already completed the disinfection work. The EMSD has instructed again the owner of the cooling tower of the remaining case at 82 Lok Shan Road, Kowloon City, to complete the disinfection work within a prescribed period. Details of the cases can be found in Annex 2.

     The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website
(www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).

     The EMSD reminds owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.

     Hongkong Post announced today (August 7) that a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Cultural Landmarks in Hong Kong" will be released for sale on August 22 (Tuesday).
 
     The National 14th Five-Year Plan indicates support for Hong Kong in developing into an emerging East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. As an international metropolis, Hong Kong boasts a number of arts and cultural landmarks. To name a few, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is one of the largest cultural infrastructure projects in the world. It offers arts and cultural facilities including the Hong Kong Palace Museum, M+ and Xiqu Centre. Blending local traditional characteristics with international and contemporary elements, the WKCD showcases the unique charm of Hong Kong as a metropolis where East meets West, and establishes Hong Kong as one of the most vibrant arts and cultural hubs in the world. In addition, the Hong Kong City Hall, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the renovated Hong Kong Museum of Art and the revitalised Tai Kwun are the city's important local arts and cultural venues that cannot be missed.

     Hongkong Post will issue a set of six stamps, a stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products on the theme of "Cultural Landmarks in Hong Kong" to showcase seven local arts and cultural landmarks, with a view to enhancing the public's appreciation of arts and culture and promoting the development of the cultural industries in Hong Kong, thereby raising Hong Kong's international profile.
 
     Official first day covers for "Cultural Landmarks in Hong Kong" will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post's online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (August 8), while postcards (a set of six cards) will be available at philatelic offices only. This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from August 22, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps will be available at philatelic offices only.
 
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on August 22 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. Collection points will be set up at all post offices on the same day for submission of the covers requesting the hand-back date-stamping service.
 
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) and on the ShopThruPost mobile app.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group (Steering Group) today (August 7) announced its key priorities to further promote and consolidate Hong Kong's role as a leading sustainable finance hub. These priorities are:
 

1. Establish world-class regulation through alignment with global standards. We aim at developing a comprehensive Hong Kong roadmap on adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Disclosure Standards (Note 1) as appropriate, taking into account Hong Kong's position on the global green finance map, local regulatory expectations and circumstances. We will set up a working group with the participation of relevant authorities and stakeholders to look into the elements to be covered by this roadmap and make recommendations to the Steering Group.

2. Boost Hong Kong's vibrancy and competitiveness through capacity building, data enhancement and technology innovation of the finance ecosystem to support net-zero transition across the economy. Workshops will be arranged to support non-listed companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their sustainability planning and reporting, as well as their broader usage of available data sources and tools. We will also develop a data portal to increase the availability and accessibility of climate-related data collected through the Climate and Environmental Risk Questionnaire for Non-listed companies/small and medium-sized enterprises (SME Questionnaire) (Note 2). In addition, we will explore opportunities for public-private partnerships to promote the development of technology-driven solutions, and engage with relevant stakeholders to develop a Hong Kong green fintech map to raise the profile of firms in this sector.

3. Grow dynamic, trusted markets with diverse products to mobilise capital at larger scale to support the net-zero transition. Relevant agencies in the Steering Group have been integrating transition considerations into their broader policy work to support sustainable finance development. A dedicated workstream will explore ways to further support financial institutions and corporates in their transition planning and reporting. Meanwhile, we are extending our efforts to build Hong Kong into an international carbon market to connect opportunities across the Mainland, Asia and the rest of the world.   

 
     Co-Chair of the Steering Group and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "Transitioning to a net-zero future requires concerted efforts by all sectors and substantial investment. Building on the strong cross-agency collaboration under the Steering Group, we are actively integrating transition considerations into our ongoing developmental and regulatory work, by incorporating the latest international developments on transition planning, providing clear guidance on disclosure, increasing data availability, as well as promoting innovation and technology to grow financial solutions. We hope to contribute to the region's progressive transformation to a greener and more sustainable future."
      
     Co-Chair of the Steering Group and the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission, Ms Julia Leung, said, "The climate transition brings tremendous business and investment opportunities. To capture these opportunities across the region, the Steering Group will continue its efforts in developing key enablers for Hong Kong, including the implementation of a clear and robust regulatory framework on sustainability disclosures, diversity in financial products, and capacity building support for the industry. Technology is essential to increasing market efficiency and transparency. As a priority, the Steering Group will work with relevant stakeholders to build Hong Kong into a green fintech hub."
      
     For details on the initiatives of the Steering Group and its members, please visit sustainablefinance.org.hk/en/.
 
About the Steering Group

     Established in May 2020, the Steering Group is co-chaired by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission. Members include the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Insurance Authority and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. The Steering Group aims to coordinate the management of climate and environmental risks to the financial sector, accelerate the growth of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong and support the Government's climate strategies.
 
Note 1: On June 26, 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board published two IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards: IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. 

Note 2: The SME Questionnaire was launched by the Steering Group in December 2022, in collaboration with CDP, an international non-profit organisation that runs the global environmental disclosure system for companies, to aid SMEs' sustainability reporting processes, and raise their sustainability visibility to lenders, investors and supply chain clients so as to better access sustainability financing. It will also facilitate financial institutions' collection and assessment of company-level data for risk assessment and relevant business decisions. It is the first cross-sector reporting template designed for first-time reporting corporates in Hong Kong, especially SMEs, and is aligned with the framework of the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 7) that the multi-purpose arena of Wong Chuk Hang Sports Centre will reopen for public use from August 15 (Tuesday). This venue was temporarily closed earlier for renovation works, while the activity room has been reopened for public use since May 15.

     Members of the public can reserve this reopened fee-charging facility from August 9 (Wednesday) via the Internet booking services of Leisure Link, counter bookings and self-service kiosks, or via the Booking Offices of the District Leisure Services Offices during office hours. For enquiries, please contact the venue staff at 2553 6663.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 7) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.