Chairman of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee
Welcome to the website of the Environment and Conservation Fund (“ECF”) and the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee (“the Committee”).
The ECF is a statutory trust fund established in June 1994 under the Environment and Conservation Fund Ordinance (Cap. 450) (“the Ordinance”), which provides for the Secretary for Environment and Ecology to act as the ECF trustee.
The Government also established the Committee under the Ordinance. Except for the official members, other members (including the Chairman) of the Committee are appointed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) Government. The Committee is responsible for advising the Secretary for the Environment and Ecology on the manner and extent of use of the ECF. Its terms of reference include vetting and approving applications submitted by eligible local organisations for funding educational, research and other projects and activities in the field of environment and conservation, monitoring the implementation of projects and activities, and publicising and promoting the ECF.
As a long-term commitment to the environment of and nature conservation in Hong Kong, the Government has been providing funding support to local organisations and the Environmental Campaign Committee through the ECF for implementing green projects and activities. The ECF has funded nearly 7 000 green projects and activities launched by local organisations so far, with a total funding of over HK$4 billion.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ECF. The Committee will organise activities in retrospect of our past achievements and designate our targets to open up the future. We would like to take this moment to enable all sectors of the community and the general public to better understand and make good use of the ECF through applications for organising and participation in environmental protection and nature conservation projects and activities. With more effective utilisation of innovative solutions and environmental protection technologies, we will be able to achieve the targets of “cherishing resources”, “reducing waste at source”, “achieving carbon neutrality”, etc. We would also like to encourage members of the public to join hands to practise low-carbon living, draw up action plans and promote the sustainable development in the community together with the HKSAR Government.
I am sure that the ECF will continue to play an active role in environmental protection and ecological conservation, with a view to helping Hong Kong achieve the targets of environmental sustainability and effective decarbonisation. Let us consciously safeguard the national security and integrate Hong Kong into the overall national development setting, work together to take forward the development of Hong Kong into a green city, foster harmony between humanity and nature, endeavour to build a healthy and pleasant city for ourselves and our future generations, and contribute our efforts in turning Hong Kong people’s aspiration for a better living environment into reality.