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The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (November 20) invited the public to take part in the second Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Awards competition and adopt good practices in energy saving for environmental protection.
Speaking at the launch ceremony for the awards today, the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, said that energy saving had been promoted throughout the world and Hong Kong was no exception.
"Elements of energy saving have been incorporated in the design of many buildings in Hong Kong. As regards planning, orientation of building and ventilation have been taken into consideration to achieve the best results in energy saving," Mr Suen said.
He said that energy saving relied on co-operation between government departments and public and private sectors. Individuals should also proactively take part in energy saving.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Roger Lai Sze-hoi, said that the competition aimed to arouse public awareness of energy saving and to join the Action Blue Sky effort.
"This year, we have extended the competition to the buildings developed by or under the management of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society, The Link Management and Urban Renewal Authority. More than 3 million occupants, accounting for 45% of the Hong Kong population, live in these buildings," said Mr Lai.
Asserting that saving energy was not a difficult task, he said that simply choosing products with energy-efficiency labels, using less air-conditioning, switching off appliances and lights not in use could help achieve energy saving. The question was whether we could consciously adopt energy saving practices in our daily life.
The competition, divided into "Residential Properties" and "Commercial Properties" categories, will start on January 1, 2007 and last for eight months. The deadline for applications is January 20, 2007.
The assessment will be based on the merits of the energy saving programmes and practices adopted by the participants. The assessment criteria will cover the leadership and organisation, processes, actual performance and sustainability of the proposed programmes. Details of the award can be downloaded from EMSD's website http://www.emsd.gov.hk.
The first award competition in 2004-2005 attracted more than 230 entries from property management organisations and non-government schools.
Ends/Monday, November 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:43
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