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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) and three major local green groups ¡V Green Power, the Conservancy Association, and Friends of the Earth (HK) ¡V are co-organizing the third phase of the long-term community environmental programme ¡§Green Delight in Estates¡¨, to enhance environmental awareness among public rental housing (PRH) tenants. The theme is ¡§Action Blue Sky".
Officiating at a kick-off workshop today (March 31), the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), Mr. Thomas Chan Chun-yuen said the programme has been effective in raising PRH tenants¡¦ awareness in environmental protection. Findings from a Chinese University survey commissioned by the three green groups, suggested that PRH tenants¡¦ environmental awareness has been rising continuously over the past two years.
¡§Over 73% of the tenants considered him or herself to be more knowledgeable about environmental issues after joining the programme; the figure is nearly 6% higher than last year,¡¨ said Mr. Chan. ¡§Furthermore, more tenants were living a green life. Nearly 70% of the respondents practiced source separation of domestic waste, while 65% used recycle bags. Figures were over 10% higher than two years ago.¡¨
The theme of this year¡¦s ¡§Green Delight in Estates¡¨ programme will be ¡§Action Blue Sky¡¨. It will start soon with a territory-wide energy-saving activity in all PRH estates, in an attempt to encourage estate management staff and tenants to put energy-saving into practice. Each of the three green groups will also design in-depth education activities for a total of 30 selected housing estates to strengthen tenants¡¦ awareness in environmental protection and energy-saving.
Also officiating at today¡¦s event were the Chief Executive of the Conservancy Association, Ms. Lister Cheung; the Chief Executive Officer of Green Power, Dr. Man Chi-sum; and the Director of Friends of the Earth (HK), Mr. Edwin Lau. At the event, representatives of the green groups and participants in the second phase of the programme shared their experiences in promoting environmental protection and leading a green life in PRH estates. Also, the three green groups briefed estate staff and tenant representatives who will be involved in programmes in forthcoming activities.
Ends/Monday, March 31, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:19
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