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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) and three major local green groups - Green Power, the Conservancy Association and Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) - are co-organising the fifth phase of "Green Delight in Estates", a community programme to promote green living in public rental housing (PRH) estates. The Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), Mr D W Pescod, officiated at the launch ceremony at the Hong Kong Housing Authority Headquarters today (June 18) and led participants to make a pledge to reduce carbon emissions in estates.
At the ceremony, the Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction), Ms Ada Fung, expressed her satisfaction with the effectiveness of the programme. Over 8,000 tenants have become "green estate ambassadors" since the launch of the programme in 2005 and have helped spread green messages among PRH tenants.
A survey by the Chinese University of Hong Kong of PRH tenants' environmental attitudes, commissioned by the three green groups, indicates that tenants are using fewer plastic bags. Around 90% of the tenants had the habit of bringing their own bags for shopping which is 30% higher than before the programme was launched. Furthermore, the "930 Estate No Plastic Bag Day" held last year was widely supported by tenants, with almost 9,000 households participating. The survey also indicates that more tenants considered themselves to have a better knowledge of environmental protection, around 10% higher than the year before.
"The theme of this year's 'Green Delight in Estates' programme will be 'Reduction of Carbon in Estates'," said Ms Fung. In the coming year, the co-organising groups will launch a series of activities to deliver the messages to tenants and to promote energy saving in PRH estates. Each of the three green groups will also carry out in-depth education activities for a total of 33 selected housing estates to encourage tenants to reduce waste and consumption of electricity.
After the launch ceremony, workshops on forthcoming activities were arranged for estate staff and tenant representatives who will be involved in this year's programme. Participants in the fourth phase of the programme also shared their experiences in promoting environmental protection and green living in PRH estates.
Also officiating at today's event were the Director of Friends of the Earth (HK), Mr Edwin Lau; the Chief Executive Officer of Green Power, Dr Man Chi-sum; and the Chief Executive of the Conservancy Association, Mr Ken So.
Ends/Friday, June 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:00
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