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HK and Guangdong strengthen co-operation on cleaner production to improve regional environmental quality (with photos)
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     The Governments of Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are dedicated to strengthening co-operation on the promotion of cleaner production. The two sides today (February 5) held the first meeting of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Cleaner Production (JWGCP) and also the presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition Scheme (the Scheme) to recognise the efforts of more than 100 Hong Kong-owned enterprises in pursuing cleaner production as well as energy saving and emission reduction measures.

     Promoting cleaner production has been one of the priority areas of work in Hong Kong-Guangdong co-operation to improve the regional environment. Through cleaner production, enterprises can not only improve their environmental performance and reduce emissions of air pollutants in the Pearl River Delta region, but also increase their economic benefits through saving energy and reducing consumption of production materials.

     Both sides signed the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Agreement on Cleaner Production at the Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference (HKGDCJC) in November last year and agreed to set up the JWGCP under the HKGDCJC to strengthen co-operation and exchanges on cleaner production.

     The first meeting of the JWGCP held today was co-chaired by the Director-General of the Economic and Information Commission of Guangdong Province (GDEIC), Mr Lai Tiansheng, and the Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR, Mr Wong Kam-sing. At the meeting, both sides endorsed the terms of reference and modus operandi of the JWGCP, and agreed on a work plan on the promotion of cleaner production for 2015 that mainly includes:

- jointly organising technology promotion events targeting different industries to encourage the adoption of cleaner production technologies and practices on reduction of volatile organic compounds, as well as the use of high efficiency motors and upgrading of motors and injection moulding machines for energy efficiency;
- jointly exploring ways to enhance the Scheme, and to provide incentive measures to enterprises which have received commendations under the Scheme; and
- encouraging trade and industry associations to organise thematic training on cleaner production to introduce policies and measures of both sides on the promotion of cleaner production.
     
     Attending the meeting today were representatives from government bureaux and departments of the two places, including the GDEIC, the Department of Environmental Protection of Guangdong Province and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology as well as the Environment Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Trade and Industry Department, the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government.

     The sixth presentation ceremony of the Scheme was also held in Guangzhou this afternoon. A total of 102 enterprises, comprising 80 Hong Kong-owned manufacturing enterprises, four sourcing enterprises and 18 environmental technology service providers, were commended as Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners to recognise their efforts in pursuing cleaner production.

     Mr Lai and Mr Wong officiated at the presentation ceremony today. About 170 representatives from governments, trades and industries in both Hong Kong and Guangdong were also present.

     Under the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme commenced by the EPD in collaboration with the GDEIC in 2008, more than 2 400 funding applications have been approved so far. In the light of the encouraging environmental benefits brought about by the Programme and positive feedback from the industries, the HKSAR Government has earmarked $150 million to extend the Programme for five years to 2020.

     Both sides jointly launched the Scheme in 2009 to commend enterprises that pursue and promote cleaner production.

     More details of the Programme and the Scheme are available on the cleaner production website: www.cleanerproduction.hk/en_index.asp.

Ends/Thursday, February 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:32

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