The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (June 21) launched the Energy Saving for All 2018 Campaign to encourage the public to combat climate change by saving energy. Joined by campaign mascot Hanson at the launch event, Mr Wong also presented awards to organisations from different sectors to commend them for their support and contributions to the promotion of energy saving.

     Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr Wong said that to combat climate change, the Government is dedicated to promoting low-carbon transformation in Hong Kong and is proactively taking multi-pronged measures to reduce carbon emissions. Noting that Hong Kong is moving towards the target of reducing its carbon intensity by 65 to 70 per cent by 2030 from the 2005 level, Mr Wong stressed that public participation is indispensable in order to achieve the target. He said he hoped that the campaign can raise public awareness of energy conservation and promote different ways to conserve energy through experience sharing to achieve the goal of "Energy Saving for All".

     Jointly organised by the Environment Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Energy Saving for All 2018 Campaign comprises the Energy Saving Charter 2018, the 4Ts Charter, the Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2018 and the Award Presentation Ceremony of the Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2017.

     Over the past decade, the annual electricity consumption of air-conditioning in Hong Kong has accounted for about 30 per cent of total power consumption, with electricity expenditure amounting to over $13 billion each year. The Government launched the Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature in 2012 and invited the building and property management sectors to sign up to the Charter by pledging to maintain the average indoor temperature at their premises between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius during the mid-summer months from June to September to reduce electricity consumption on air-conditioning.

     About 3 600 organisations have signed up to the Energy Saving Charter this year. Apart from pledging to maintain the appropriate indoor temperature at their properties, they have also pledged to switch off appliances when not in use and procure energy-efficient appliances. In addition, appreciation certificates will be presented to organisations that successfully recruit a significant number of shops or offices to sign up to the Charter, with a view to further promoting participation of shops and offices in the Charter scheme and encouraging the building and property management sectors, tenants, occupants and staff to adopt the energy saving practices together.

     As for the 4Ts Charter, over 1 300 premises have pledged to join the Charter by setting a target with a timeline, ensuring transparency to track the energy saving result, and encouraging people to work together on the energy saving target.

     At today's ceremony, Mr Wong and the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Alfred Sit, also presented awards to winning organisations of the Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2017. In view of the different scales of the participating groups and organisations, the Energy Saving Championship Scheme was divided into two categories, with International Commerce Centre and St Teresa Secondary School being awarded as the champions of the two groups. Other participants in the Group 1 category included shopping malls, offices, commercial or industrial buildings, residential buildings and housing estates, hospitals, hotels and post-secondary education institutions, while Group 2 included offices, shops, restaurants, non-governmental organisations, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. This year's competition received an encouraging response with a total of 317 premises participating in the two categories. The winning organisations will take the lead to promote energy saving among the industries by discussing their exemplary experience in seminars, as well as share their energy saving initiatives with the public by posting green tips on the "Energy Saving for All" website.

     The Energy Saving for All 2018 Campaign will also feature the Energy Saving Championship Scheme to encourage the adoption of innovative technologies in energy saving and renewable energy by internal teams of various industry organisations or through collaboration with innovative technology partners, so as to promote concerted efforts among the industries in low-carbon transformation. A new category has also been created for students to join the campaign to inspire the creativity and imagination of young people in energy saving and the development of renewable energy.

     For details of the Energy Saving for All 2018 Campaign and the full list of winning organisations of Energy Saving Championship Scheme 2017, please visit the thematic website: www.energysaving.gov.hk/en/home/index.html.
 

     The Transport Department (TD) today (June 21) reminded members of the public that to facilitate road repair works, the following temporary traffic arrangements will be implemented at the Kai Tak Tunnel and the East Kowloon Way on Sunday (June 24):

(i) The eastbound tube of the Kai Tak Tunnel will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic from 1am to 6am. Traffic along the East Kowloon Way eastbound will be diverted via Kowloon City Road;

(ii) The slow lane of the section of the East Kowloon Way eastbound between Lok Shan Road and Ma Hang Chung Road will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic from 6am to 11am; and

(iii) The slow lane of the eastbound tube of the Kai Tak Tunnel (except the slip road leading to Sung Wong Toi Road) will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic from 6am to 11am.

     Due to the lane closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic along the East Kowloon Way eastbound and the Kai Tak Tunnel eastbound will be relatively busy during the above periods. Motorists passing through the road sections concerned should exercise tolerance and patience and drive with utmost care. Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists.

     Motorists are advised to consider using alternative routes to Kowloon Central and Kowloon East. They are also advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow more travelling time to avoid unexpected delay.

     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.

     Details of the temporary traffic arrangements are now available on the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee originally scheduled at 3pm tomorrow (June 22) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex will start at 4pm.
 
     Meanwhile, the LegCo Public Accounts Committee will hold a closed meeting at 11.45am tomorrow in Conference Room 4 of the LegCo Complex.

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for May 2018. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 2.1% in May 2018 over the same month a year earlier, larger than the corresponding increase (1.9%) in April 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in May 2018 was 2.4%. This increase was larger than that in April 2018 (2.2%), mainly due to the enlarged increases in the charges for package tours and private housing rentals.  

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period from March to May 2018 was 0.1%, and that for the three-month period from February to April 2018 was 0.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the three-month period from March to May 2018 was 0.2%, and that for the three-month period from February to April 2018 was 0.3%.  

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.3%, 2.0% and 1.9% respectively in May 2018, as compared to 2.2%, 1.8% and 1.7% respectively in April 2018. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.6%, 2.4% and 2.2% respectively in May 2018, as compared to 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.0% respectively in April 2018.  

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the three-month period from March to May 2018, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.1%, 0.1% and virtually nil respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the three-month period from February to April 2018 were 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the three-month period from March to May 2018 were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively, and the corresponding rates of increase for the three-month period from February to April 2018 were 0.4%, 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.  

     Amongst the various CPI components, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in May 2018 for food (excluding meals bought away from home) (4.7% in the Composite CPI and 4.4% in the CPI(A)); electricity, gas and water (3.4% in the Composite CPI and 3.6% in the CPI(A)); meals bought away from home (3.0% in the Composite CPI and 3.1% in the CPI(A)); housing (2.0% in the Composite CPI and 2.2% in the CPI(A)); clothing and footwear (1.4% in the Composite CPI and 1.6% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous services (1.4% in the Composite CPI and 0.9% in the CPI(A)); transport (1.2% in the Composite CPI and 1.1% in the CPI(A)); miscellaneous goods (1.1% in the Composite CPI and 1.8% in the CPI(A)) as well as alcoholic drinks and tobacco (0.2% in the Composite CPI and 0.3% in the CPI(A)).  

     On the other hand, year-on-year decrease in prices was recorded in May 2018 for durable goods (-2.3% in both the Composite CPI and CPI(A)).  

     Taking the first five months of 2018 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.3% over a year earlier. The corresponding increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.5%, 2.2% and 2.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the Composite CPI, CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.4%, 2.6%, 2.3% and 2.3% respectively in the first five months of 2018 over a year earlier.  

     For the three months ended May 2018, the Composite CPI rose by 2.2% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.4%, 2.1% and 2.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.4%, 2.6%, 2.4% and 2.3% respectively.  

     For the 12 months ended May 2018, the Composite CPI was on average 2.0% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.2%, 1.8% and 1.9%. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 2.0%, 2.2%, 1.9% and 2.0% respectively.  

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that consumer price inflation remained moderate in May, though picking up somewhat from the earlier part of the year amid favourable economic conditions.

     The spokesman commented further that, looking forward, inflationary pressure will likely go up in the period ahead, in view of the robust economic conditions and continued feed-through of earlier rises in fresh-letting residential rentals. Nevertheless, inflation should stay within a moderate range for the year as a whole. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly the impact on the lower-income people.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for May 2018 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after removing the effects of Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest three months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

     More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison, seasonally adjusted data series and the CPIs by the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the May 2018 issue of the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=B1060001), the time series of CPIs at a detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600001), the time series of CPIs at the COICOP division level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600002) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp270.jsp?productCode=D5600003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     â€‹For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk). 

     According to the figures released today (June 21) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), total employment in the private sector surveyed increased by 1.1% or 30 900 persons in March 2018 compared with a year earlier. The total number of vacancies was 76 880, representing an increase of 9% or 6 420 over the preceding year.

Employment statistics

     In March 2018, the selected industries as a whole employed 2 867 400 persons. The import and export trade engaged 478 000 persons, followed by the professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) engaging 300 200 persons, the retail trade 271 000 persons, and the food and beverage services 246 600 persons.

     Employment increased in many surveyed industries compared with a year earlier. Increases in employment were mainly recorded in the industries of human health services (3.3% or 4 000 persons), accommodation services (covering hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other establishments providing short-term accommodation) (3.1% or 1 200 persons), professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) (2.7% or 7 900 persons), construction sites (manual workers only) (2.6% or 3 100 persons), and financing and insurance (2.5% or 5 700 persons). On the other hand, employment decreased mainly in the industries of manufacturing (-3.9% or -3 600 persons), and cleaning and similar services (-1.5% or -1 200 persons). Employment figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 1.

Vacancies statistics

     Among the 76 880 private sector vacancies, 12 030 were from the industry of food and beverage services, 8 110 from retail trade, 7 670 from professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services), 6 290 from import and export trade, and 6 090 from financing and insurance.

     Vacancies increased in majority of the selected industries in March 2018 over a year earlier. Increases were mainly observed in the industries of human health services (1 640 or 99%), professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) (750 or 11%), financing and insurance (710 or 13%), and retail trade (570 or 8%). On the other hand, vacancies decreased mainly in the industry of cleaning and similar services (-190 or -9%). Job vacancies figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 2.

     Analysed by major occupation category, private sector vacancies were observed mainly in the categories of service and sales workers (23 740 vacancies), associate professionals (14 670 vacancies), elementary occupations (13 870 vacancies), and clerical support workers (9 190 vacancies). Job vacancies figures by major occupation category are shown in Table 3.

Seasonally adjusted statistics

     For discerning the latest trend in employment and vacancies in the private sector, it is useful to look at changes over a three-month period in the respective seasonally adjusted figures. Compared with December 2017, the seasonally adjusted total employment and total vacancies in the surveyed industries increased by 0.4% and 0.1% respectively in March 2018. The changes over three-month periods in the seasonally adjusted series of employment and vacancies are shown in Table 4.

Other information

     The above employment and vacancies statistics were obtained from the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies and the Quarterly Employment Survey of Construction Sites conducted by the C&SD. In the former survey, some economic activities (e.g. those dominated by self-employment, including taxi operators and hawkers) are not covered. Therefore, the respective employment and vacancies figures relate only to those selected industries included in the survey. In the latter survey on construction sites, employment and vacancies figures relate to manual workers only.

     A detailed breakdown of the above statistics is published in the following reports:

"Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies Statistics, March 2018"
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp452.jsp?productCode=B1050003)
"Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies at Construction Sites, March 2018"
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp452.jsp?productCode=B1050004)

     Users can download these publications free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

     Enquiries on more detailed employment and vacancies statistics can be directed to the Employment Statistics and Central Register of Establishments Section, C&SD (Tel: 2582 5076; fax: 2827 2296; email: employment@censtatd.gov.hk).