Light Pollution

As one of the developed cities grappled with light pollution, Hong Kong has tried its best to address this issue with various measures for decades. However, quantifiable research that can evaluate the negative impact of light pollution remains lacking in the city.

Hong Kong currently does not have any laws or regulations for controlling the light pollution problem. In 2016, the Environment Bureau launched the Charter on External Lighting, a voluntary scheme for property owners and operators to reduce the operating hours of external lighting for buildings.

Despite nearly 5,000 signatories have signed the charter, light pollution complaints received by the government continued to rise. After the launch of the Charter, the total light nuisance complaints increased from 335 in 2016 to 401 in 2023, nearly half of which were related to retail lighting, signboards, and video walls.

The Green Earth advocates for Hong Kong to develop guidelines or protocols for assessing the light pollution impact quantitatively and introduce laws and ordinances to regulate the use of external lighting, to alleviate the local light nuisance problem. 

Funded by Environment And Conservation Fund (2021 - 2023), The Green Earth has been conducting research to quantitatively assess the impact of light pollution in Hong Kong and has published four relevant articles in international journals. These methods could be applied in Hong Kong or other cities to address light pollution. The papers can be found at the following links:

1. Science of The Total Environment, 1 Sep 2022

2. Energy & Environment, 23 Jan 2023

3. Science of The Total Environment, 1 Dec 2023

4. Sustainable Future, Jun 2024

We believe that by adjusting the brightness and quantity of lighting fixtures, lighting angle, frequency of flashing or flickering, and the switch-off times, we can strike a sustainable balance between commercial activities, quality of life for residents, energy conservation and emissions reduction. Therefore, we urge the Environmental Protection Department to:

1. Proactively inspect lighting fixtures causing light pollution and mediate disputes for affected households;

2. Update and close monitor  the charter’s participants to ensure compliance;

3. Collaborate with the Buildings Department to update the Signboard Validation Scheme, incorporating requirements to prevent disturbances to residential buildings and light intensity requirements; and

4. Collaborate with the Planning Department to study how to prevent light trespass in new development areas through the environmental impact assessment system and planning requirements.

We encourage individuals affected by light pollution to call government complaint hotline 1823 and urge the Environmental Protection Department to address and resolve the situation. 

We have also set up a dedicated email address, lightpollution@greenearth.org.hk, to collect and follow up on light pollution complaint cases. If applicable, please provide the following information:

> Photos/videos of the light pollution case (Hint: You can turn off the lights and take pictures to capture the impact)

> Relevant details about this light pollution: Is the light fixture still on after 10 pm? When does it go off? Does it flicker? How would you describe the severity of glare?

> Specify the biggest impact on you/your family.

> Name of the building/estate affected.

> Contact number.

> Any additional information.

The above information will be used solely for follow-up purposes and will not be disclosed without the consent by the complainant.