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The following is issued on behalf of the Council for Sustainable Development:
The Council for Sustainable Development is inviting applications from groups and individuals for grants to undertake projects that will raise public awareness of sustainable development and promote sustainable practices in Hong Kong.
The Chair of the Council's Education and Publicity Sub-committee, Mr Michael Lai, said today (August 18) that this would be the eighth round of applications since the Sustainable Development Fund was established in 2003.
Mr Lai said a number of priority areas would receive particular consideration in the current round of applications.
"Particular consideration will be given to projects focused on combating climate change, building a sustainable community, promoting a sustainable lifestyle or practice as well as sustainability reports by industry/sector," he said.
He added that projects that were generally consistent with the overall objectives of the Sustainable Development Fund would also be welcome.
Details of the suggested priority areas and application forms are available at www.susdev.gov.hk. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications via email at sdf@enb.gov.hk. Applications should reach the Sustainable Development Fund Secretariat by 5pm on November 17, 2010. Enquiries can be directed to the secretariat at 3150 8166 or sdf@enb.gov.hk.
Among the five newly approved projects under the seventh round of applications, three are projects to develop guidebooks for sustainability reporting for various manufacturing and service industries to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to embed corporate social responsibility principles into their business strategy and operations. The aim is to help the enterprises to produce sustainability reports that showcase their performance from sustainable development perspectives. One is a community project promoting the cultural heritage of the old district of Yau Ma Tei while fostering social cohesion and boosting the local economy. Another project is to empower manufacturers to develop "Combat Climate Change Action Plans" leading to the adoption of sustainable measures to reduce carbon emissions in the manufacturing process.
Details of all the approved projects can be viewed at www.susdev.gov.hk.
In the first seven rounds of applications from 2003 to 2010, 38 projects were approved with a total grant of $35.1 million. Of these 38 projects, 25 focus on community involvement and capacity building, six on sustainable development education in schools and tertiary institutions, four on sustainability reporting, and the remaining three projects involved publication of a magazine, production of dramas and production of a green map. They have all contributed to raising public awareness of sustainable development in the community.
Ends/Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:31
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