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Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature 2014 launched (with photos)
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     To promote community-wide participation in energy-saving, the Environment Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department have organised the Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature for three consecutive years with an aim of reducing electricity consumption for air-conditioning. The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (May 29) said that the Government is joining forces with the commercial sector and the general public to take concrete actions to combat the problems arising from climate change by reducing energy consumption for air-conditioning.

     Officiating at the launch ceremony of the Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature 2014, Mr Wong pointed out that greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere has reached its highest level in the past 800,000 years. In the face of global climate change, there is no time to spare in reducing carbon emissions by saving energy, he said. Noting that the charter scheme has the theme of community-wide participation in energy-saving, Mr Wong expressed the hope that all sectors of the community would work together to save energy and tackle the problems of climate change together.

     Buildings account for 90 per cent of total electricity consumption in Hong Kong and contribute more than 60 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions, one-third of which are caused by air-conditioning. The Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature has been well received by many shopping malls, shops, office premises and offices since its launch in 2012. The participants have pledged to maintain an average indoor temperature between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius. This year, the Government is extending the charter scheme to residential buildings and housing estates. Several participants attending the launch ceremony today shared their experience on how they have implemented the charter scheme as well as other energy-efficiency measures.

     As of today, a total of 34 developers and property management companies have pledged to maintain the average indoor temperature of common areas at over 130 shopping malls between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius from June to September. In addition, more than 450 shops, the common areas of 220 office premises and 820 offices have signed up for the charter. The charter scheme has extended to residential buildings and the common areas of 142 housing estates and some 80 residential buildings have signed up the charter. The total participation rate of the charter scheme has increased by 45 per cent as compared with the level last year. All participants will display the Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature and relevant publicity materials at their premises to disseminate the message of energy saving to staff and the general public.

     Speaking on the theme of "Warning of a Warming World" at the launch ceremony, the Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Edwin Lai, elaborated on the significance of energy saving in combating climate change. In addition, representatives of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited and Hongkong Electric Company Limited introduced the CLP Eco Building Fund and the HK Electric Smart Power Fund respectively, which will provide a total of $100 million funding to subsidise building owners to carry out improvement works to enhance the energy efficiency performance of their buildings. Applications will start in late June.

     More than 180 representatives of the participating developers, relevant organisations and environmental advisory bodies attended the launch ceremony of the charter scheme. The launch ceremony aimed to encourage all sectors of the community to conserve energy and protect the environment through joining the charter scheme.

Ends/Thursday, May 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:27

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