In line with our country’s commitment to carbon neutrality before 2060, Hong Kong strives to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. To this end, the government has implemented Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 progressively through a series of initiatives, including the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS) that helps the public integrate energy conservation awareness into their consumption behaviour.

To step up its decarbonisation efforts, the government is introducing the fourth phase of the MEELS, expanding its scope to cover three more types of products, namely light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, gas cookers and gas instantaneous water heaters. The new measure is expected to bring about an additional energy saving of about 570 terajoules annually (namely, around 160 GWh in electricity), which is equivalent to the reduction of about 75,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. The fourth phase of the MEELS will take effect on 1 September 2023, but a transitional period of 15 months will be provided. Upon its implementation, household appliances covered by the MEELS will account for about 80% of the total energy consumption in the residential sector, a big jump from the previous figure of about 50%. Looking ahead, the government will keep the MEELS under review.

To reduce your energy bills, see more details about the MEELS on its dedicated website (https://www.emsd.gov.hk/ energylabel/) and reference may also be made to “Energy Saver” under the “E&M Connect” mobile app (https://www.emsd.gov.hk/en/about_us/mobile_apps/).

This article is contributed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government.