**************************************************
The three-year Energy Conservation Projects for Non-governmental Organisations Scheme (the ECP NGO Scheme) launched under the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) in October 2009, will close on October 31, 2012 as scheduled.
The subsidy scheme aims to provide full or partial funding support for eligible NGOs to implement energy conservation projects and promote public awareness of the benefits of energy conservation. Local non-profit making NGOs granted tax exemption status under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance may seek funding support for carrying out energy-cum-carbon audits (ECA) inside buildings/premises owned or occupied by them, or improvement works to upgrade the energy efficiency performance of their buildings/premises. All local non-profit making NGOs may also apply for funding to carry out educational projects to enhance community awareness of energy conservation in Hong Kong.
"The scheme has been successful in achieving the intended objectives of enhancing community awareness of energy efficiency and achieving environmental benefits. Over 575 applications have been received under the Scheme with a total funding amount of over $90 million approved. The nature and scale of operation of NGOs granted ECF funding support are diversified, ranging from well-established charitable organisations to small community-based organisations. The ECA and energy improvement works carried out by these NGOs have enabled a reduction in their electricity consumption and contributed to enhancing the awareness and knowledge of their staff towards energy savings and environmental protection," a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said today (September 21).
The approved energy improvement works projects are estimated to have achieved a saving in electricity consumption of 9.5 million kWh per annum, which is equivalent to a reduction of 6 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The estimated number of participants of various activities organised under the energy conservation education programmes reached an encouraging total of around 1.5 million.
"The Government remains committed to promoting energy efficiency. Applications with worthwhile educational and demonstration value could still be considered by the ECF under the Environmental Education and Community Action Projects Funding Scheme. In addition, the new Building Energy Efficiency Ordinance (Cap. 610) comes into full effect today to mandate the minimum energy performance standards for four types of building service installations and energy audit in specified building. The New Building Energy Codes and Energy Audit Code have been gazetted pursuant to the Ordinance," the spokesman added.
Ends/Friday, September 21, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:30
NNNN
