Hong Kong and Guangdong strengthen co-operation in cleaner production to improve regional environmental quality (with photo)

     The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangdong Province (GDDIIT) today (December 19) convened the 10th meeting of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Cleaner Production (JWGCP) via video conferencing.
 
     The 10th meeting of the JWGCP was co-chaired by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR, Mr Tse Chin-wan, and the Director-General of the GDDIIT, Mr Tu Gaokun. The meeting reviewed the work progress in 2023 and approved the 2024 work plan, which focuses on continuously promoting the adoption of cleaner production technologies in relevant industries for saving energy, reducing pollutant emissions as well as minimising waste; supporting water-intensive industries to apply water-saving technologies and increase wastewater recycling and reuse, encouraging polluting industries to undertake cleaner production audits; and promoting enterprises to control and reduce volatile organic compound emissions at source. Both sides will also continue to support relevant trade and industry associations to carry out publicity activities to promote cleaner production among enterprises.
 
     The meeting was attended by representatives of the EEB, 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. On the Guangdong side, representatives of the GDDIIT, the Department of Ecology and Environment and the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province attended the meeting.
 
     Moreover, the award presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition Scheme was held in Guangzhou in the afternoon. This year, a total of 201 enterprises were commended as Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners in recognition of their efforts in pursuing cleaner production. Of these, 28 Hong Kong-owned manufacturing enterprises were honoured as "Excellent Partners" of the Scheme, while 158 were recognised as "Partners". Other commended enterprises included three sourcing enterprises and 12 environmental technology service providers.
 
     The EPD of the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with the GDDIIT, launched the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme (the Programme) in 2008. To date, the Programme has provided funding support for over 3 900 applications, aiming to promote and encourage the adoption of cleaner production technologies and practices by Hong Kong-owned factories in the region. In addition, Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly launched the Scheme in 2009 to commend enterprises for their dedicated efforts taken in adopting and promoting cleaner production by recognising them as Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners.

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