Hong Kong, 3 November 2015 - Business Environment Council Limited 商界環保協會有限公司 (“BEC”) organised the ‘Dialogue with the Secretary for the Environment’ event on Saturday, 31 October 2015 during the Eco Expo Asia. Secretary for the Environment of the Government of Hong Kong Administrative Region Mr K S Wong, JP, was invited to have a discussion with over 400 students.
‘Dialogue with the Secretary for the Environment’ provides an interactive platform and an invaluable opportunity for the young generation to have a face-to-face discussion with Mr Wong, to share their innovative ideas on the topic of low-carbon economy. It is a major event of BEC Low-carbon School – Eco Expo Asia 2015, and is one of BEC’s flagship community programmes.
In the opening remarks, Professor John Chai, Chairman of BEC said, “Seizing the opportunity of the Eco Expo Asia, BEC has organised the ‘Dialogue with the Secretary for the Environment’ event for the fifth year. Students can take the chance to talk with the Secretary to understand the government’s environmental policies and current situation in society. The Low-carbon School programme helps students to acquire environmental knowledge and encourages them to implement low-carbon living.” BEC has been supportive of Eco Expo Asia since its first edition in 2006. “BEC expects to play a role in developing a low-carbon economy in Hong Kong through promoting this kind of environmental activities”, Professor Chai mentioned.
Secretary for the Environment Mr K S Wong discussed with students green living and environmental issues in Hong Kong. The chance to engage in direct dialogue with the Secretary stimulated students’ active participation. Students raised questions and shared their own opinions on the government’s environmental policies.
On the same day, BEC also held ‘Expo Guided Tours’. Guided by BEC Expo Ambassadors, participating students visited six featured diverse thematic zones. Students learned and explored the latest technology in environment protection including efficient low-carbon technology, waste management handling, environmentally preferred products and services, as well as green building technologies.
BEC Low-carbon School – Eco Expo Asia 2015, funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund and the Environmental Campaign Committee, aims to articulate the vision towards a low-carbon economy to the young generation, raising awareness of sustainability and promoting green living. Apart from ‘Dialogue with the Secretary for the Environment’ and ‘Expo Guided Tours’, the programme also includes a series of activities such as the ‘School Winter Fun Fair & Seminar’ and the ‘Inter-school Low-carbon Living Micro-film Competition’. Held on 2 December 2015, the ‘School Winter Fun Fair & Seminar’ will bring students to a site visit of BEC Headquarters, the first commercial building in Hong Kong that has achieved the Provisional Platinum rating under BEAM Plus Existing Buildings Assessment. The ‘Inter-school Low-carbon Living Micro-film Competition’, with an objective to encourage the implementation and visual-documentation of low-carbon school life, will be held between November 2015 and March 2016
Eco Expo Asia was held at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong between 28 to 31 October 2015. Entering its 10th edition, this year’s theme was “Embracing a Green and Sustainable Future”.
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Photo Caption:
1. Mr K S Wong, JP, Secretary for the Environment, shares insights in environmental issues with over 400 students at ‘Dialogue with the Secretary for the Environment’ organised by BEC
2. Opening remarks by Professor John Chai, Chairman of BEC, at ‘Dialogue with the Secretary for the Environment’
3. Students actively raise questions and shares their opinions on government’s environmental policies
4. Photo of Mr K S Wong, JP, Secretary for the Environment (second left), Professor John Chai, Chairman of BEC (first right), Ms. Sophia Chong, Assistant Executive Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (first left)
Please click here for Chinese version of the press release (中文版).