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The Environment Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) have jointly launched the "Energy Saving for All" Campaign to promote energy saving and enhance energy efficiency.
Officiating at the launching ceremony for the "Energy Saving for All" Campaign today (May 15), the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that in most regions in the world, including Hong Kong, fossil fuels are still the major source of energy. Large quantities of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are generated during the combustion of fossil fuels, resulting in climate change acceleration. Mr Wong expressed the hope that the campaign will provide a good start for collaborative efforts from every sector of the community and the general public to take action to save energy.
Mr Wong added that the Government has just unveiled the first-ever Energy Saving Plan for Hong Kong's Built Environment, which outlines a review and outlook and also calls for the Hong Kong community to reduce energy wastage and pollution so as to achieve a new target of a reduction of total energy intensity by 40 per cent by 2025. He said he hopes that the Energy Saving Plan could help the general public understand the challenges of energy saving better and stimulate everyone to take wiser action and save energy, with a view to developing Hong Kong into a low-carbon and liveable city.
As part of efforts to achieve the new target of a 40 per cent reduction in energy intensity by 2025 in Hong Kong, the "Energy Saving for All" Campaign comprises the Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature, the Energy Saving for All dedicated website, the New Energy New Generation Solar Car Competition, the Youth Energy Saving Award and the "Energy Saving for All" TV Announcement in the Public Interest (API).
* Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature: Buildings account for about 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 Government launched the Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature in 2012 to invite the building and property management sectors to show their support for the charter and pledge to reduce electricity consumption on air-conditioning during mid-summer by maintaining the indoor temperature at their premises between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius. Participation had increased from about 100 shopping malls signing up for the charter in the beginning of 2012 to nearly 1,900 shopping malls, shops, office premises and offices last year. In addition, more than 200 housing estates and residential buildings joined the charter. As for this year, about 2,800 participants have signed up for the charter, including some 300 properties of non-governmental organisations. The number of participants in the charter has increased nearly 40 per cent when compared to that of last year.
* Energy Saving for All dedicated website: To achieve the vision of engaging the entire community in energy saving, the EMSD has launched a new Energy Saving for All website (www.energysaving.gov.hk), which provides a one-stop platform for the general public to learn more about energy saving. More than 50 public organisations, academic institutions, professional groups, public utilities, chambers of commerce, think tanks and green groups have contributed diverse and practical information on energy saving, including energy saving tips, teaching kits, curricula, figures on energy, competitions and events on energy saving, as well as hyperlinks to websites of local and overseas organisations. These will help provide practical references and recommendations for the public to practise energy saving.
* New Energy New Generation Solar Car Competition: The EMSD will launch a New Energy New Generation Solar Car Competition to promote the interest of undergraduates and secondary school students in renewable energy and its application in engineering technology, and the general public's understanding of renewable energy and its effectiveness. The competition, which comprises the elements of environmental technology and innovation, will enhance the public's interest and knowledge in renewable energy applications.
* Youth Energy Saving Award: Public engagement is critical to the promotion of energy saving in every sector of the community. As such, the Government will launch the Youth Energy Saving Award to encourage young people to form teams to plan for and implement energy saving measures. The winning team will be granted a cash reward, which they will give out to a non-governmental organisation for youth services of their choice so that the organisation can help the needy improve their living conditions. This initiative carries both environmental and social values, and can help promote energy saving as well as a harmonious and caring culture.
* "Energy Saving for All" TV API: Every sector in the community should change their behaviour concerning the daily use of energy so as to achieve the target of a reduction of 40 per cent in Hong Kong's energy intensity in the coming 10 years. Social collaboration is important to support the measures implemented by the Government. Therefore, the Government will launch a new "Energy Saving for All" TV API, with the slogan of "Save Energy with the Push of a Button", to promote the message of energy saving and encourage the public to take simple steps in daily life, such as turning off electrical appliances that are not in use. Hong Kong people are encouraged to be more "Energy Aware" and "Energy Wise" and take actions to reduce total electricity consumption together.
Ends/Friday, May 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:05
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