The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (April 13) visited a primary school in Kowloon City District to see its green initiatives and the benefits brought about at the school by the district cooling system (DCS). He also exchanged views with a group of youths, who had visited environmental facilities in Japan during an exchange tour, on the development of environmental technology in Hong Kong.

     Accompanied by the Kowloon City District Officer, Mr Franco Kwok, Mr Wong started his visit at SKH Holy Cross Primary School, which is a user of the Kai Tak Development Area DCS. In general, use of the DCS allows premises to consume 35 per cent less electricity as compared to using a traditional air-cooled air-conditioning system. Buildings using the DCS will also avoid noise and vibration arising from the operation of heat rejection equipment and chillers of air-conditioning plants in buildings. The heat island effect will also be mitigated. The school said that the DCS can effectively reduce electricity consumption and help provide a tranquil and comfortable learning environment for students. In addition, the school features various green elements in its design and has achieved the Provisional Gold rating under the Hong Kong Green Building Council's BEAM Plus New Buildings Version 1.1. A solar photovoltaic system has also been installed to support the use of renewable energy.

     Afterwards, Mr Wong met with participants of a Japan exchange tour organised by the Kowloon City Youth Development Network. The group visited Japan late last year to learn more about its environmental infrastructure, including a waste-to-energy facility and a solar power generation project in Osaka. After the study tour, they were required to submit proposals, based on their observations, for feasible environmental facilities in Kowloon City District. After listening to a presentation on some of their brainstorming proposals, Mr Wong expressed his appreciation for their enthusiasm for environmental issues. He also encouraged them to walk the talk and put the principles of energy saving and waste reduction into practice in their daily lives.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Wong paid a visit to the Kowloon City District Council and listened to its members' views on the Government's environmental protection work and local environmental issues.
 

Ends/Thursday, April 13, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:58

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