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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, visited Tsuen Wan District this afternoon (March 18) to take a close look at local community initiatives to promote environmental protection and the better utilisation of resources.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chau How-chen, and the District Officer of Tsuen Wan District, Mr Cheung Doi-ching, Mr Yau first visited Luk Yeung Sun Chuen, which was built in 1984, to learn about efforts to promote building energy efficiency.
"Buildings account for 90% of the total electricity consumption in Hong Kong. Improving energy efficiency in buildings can reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and help alleviate the effects of global warming," said Mr Yau.
During the visit, Mr Yau also met Tsuen Wan District Council members and representatives of local residents. He expressed his gratitude to members of the community, residents' organisations and NGOs for their continuous co-operation with the Government and support in environmental protection. He said that their efforts are essential in building a sustainable society and a greener environment for the next generation.
He then had lunch with Tsuen Wan District Council members at a restaurant in Tsuen Wan Town Hall which also operates as a social enterprise. During the lunch, they discussed ways to raise public awareness of environmental protection, energy conservation and sustainable development through education, publicity and projects. Mr Yau said he was pleased to note that Tsuen Wan District is undergoing various minor work projects to promote energy efficiency and district greening. Through the effective use of resources in the district, Tsuen Wan has been turned into a greener and lower-carbon community.
Mr Yau later visited Yan Chai Hospital Lim Por Yen Secondary School to attend a launch ceremony titled "Evolving into a Green NGO", held by Yan Chai Hospital.
The Board of Directors of Yan Chai Hospital was granted in-principle approval of over $170 million by the Environment and Conservation Fund to support a variety of green projects to be launched by the hospital in the coming three years. These projects aim to transform Yan Chai Hospital into a "green organisation" by reducing its carbon footprint and promoting a green culture.
Concluding the visit, Mr Yau said that the Government would continue to collaborate with community organisations and NGOs with the aim of building a sustainable green community with a pleasant living environment for residents.
Ends/Friday, March 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:37
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