TWGHs granted $19.84 M by Environment and Conservation Fund to implement a 3-year green programme

Mr. Edward YAU, JP (back row, left 2), Secretary for the Environment, Prof. David LUNG, SBS, JP (back row, left 1), Chairman of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee, Mr. Patrick MA (back row, centre), Chairman of TWGHs, and green student ambassadors taking a group photo after the ceremony.

With increasing environmental problems and rapid exhaustion of natural resources, protection of the environment has become an issue of great concern. In response to the policy of the government and the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) on promoting environmental protection and nature conservation, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals submitted a proposal named “Tung Wah Group of Hospitals To Move Towards a Green Organization” to the ECF Committee in September 2008 for application of funds for the implementation of the series of green initiatives. In January 2009, the proposal was given the green light with a grant of $19.84 million from the ECF Committee for implementation in a period of 3 years in full swing. A launching ceremony was held on 21 March with Mr. Edward YAU Tang-wah, JP, Secretary for the Environment, and Prof. LUNG Ping-yee, David, SBS, JP, Chairman of the ECF Committee, present as the officiating guests.

The Tung Wah green programme will be implemented in 2 phases to cover 7 strategic areas, namely green governance, green education, green procurement, go green on energy, conservation of resources, pollution reduction, and green building. A series of pilot projects will be introduced to Tung Wah’s Administration Headquarters and its medical, education and community services centres, like, inter alia, implementing environmental management system, engaging in energy-cum-carbon audit, installing green roof and renewable energy facilities, installing eco-friendly incinerator at funeral parlors, as well as promoting green education and organizing publicity projects. The objective is to harness the sense of environmental conservation amongst staff, service users and stake-holders and encourage them to practise green living.

Guests visiting the green roof of TWGHs Mrs. Wu York Yu Memorial College.

With 139 years of history, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals is the oldest and the largest charitable service organization in the territory delivering the most diverse services to the community. Besides incorporating green concepts in the development process of its services that span across medical, education and community services over the years, the Group also witnessed some of its service centres like hospitals, schools, community services centres and properties practising energy saving and waste reduction programmes, while Kwong Wah Hospital and some of its secondary and primary schools have won numerous certifications or awards in environmental protection.

During the launching ceremony, Tung Wah students were given the chance to raise questions to Mr. Edward YAU Tang-wah, JP, Secretary for the Environment. These questions, mostly related to the day-to-day green issues, were answered by the Secretary in details. Prof. David LUNG, SBS, JP, took the opportunity to introduce the objectives and new plans of the ECF to the guests while Mr. Patrick MA, Chairman of Tung Wah, thanked the ECF for granting $19.84 million to fund this programme, and expressed gratitude to the Environment Bureau and Environmental Protection Department for their fervent support to Tung Wah for implementing environmental and sustainable projects. After the ceremony, the guests visited the green roof at TWGHs Mrs. Wu York Yu Memorial College, as well as the green exhibitions and booths designed by students.

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