Green Tech Fund approves three projects in fourth round of applications
The Secretariat of the Green Tech Fund (GTF) said today (December 23) that a total of three projects have been approved in the fourth round of applications, involving a grant of around $14 million. Together with the first three rounds of applications, the GTF has so far approved 33 projects, involving a total grant of around $147 million.
About 125 applications were received in the fourth round of applications from December 2023 to March 2024. The three research and development (R&D) projects approved in this round of application cover promotion of new energy technology and turning waste into resources. They are:
New energy technology: Development of a waste-to-energy system utilising ultra-high-temperature gasification technology for converting different types of waste, including yard waste, municipal solid waste and construction waste, etc, into hydrogen; and
Turning waste into resources: Turning incineration ash into artificial aggregates to replace natural aggregates in construction projects, with a view to reducing carbon emissions arising from the disposal of incineration ashes and mining of natural aggregates; turning construction waste into self-healing concrete with biomineralisation enhancement technology for application in marine and coastal engineering for the purpose of reducing carbon emissions produced by the disposal of construction waste and production of concrete.
The list of the three approved R&D projects is in the Annex. Relevant details are published on the GTF webpage (www.gtf.gov.hk/en/project_information/approved_projects.html). These projects will help promote R&D as well as the application of green technologies in different areas, thereby expediting low-carbon transformation and helping Hong Kong strive toward carbon neutrality.
The GTF is open for the fifth round of applications from today to March 24, 2025. R&D projects that fall into four areas, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction will be accorded priority. The GTF welcomes applications from local public research institutions and R&D centres, as well as local private companies to develop low-carbon and green technologies that cater for the needs of Hong Kong's environment and market. The GTF Secretariat will hold a webinar at a later date to introduce the application procedures and priority themes of the GTF. Details about application for the GTF are available on the GTF website (www.gtf.gov.hk).
Situation of two months after adaptation period of regulation on disposable plastic products
The six-month adaptation period of the new regulation on disposable plastic products has been concluded for two months since October 21 this year. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will continue to promote going "plastic-and-disposable-free" and follow up incompliant cases, to join hands with different sectors of the community to promote green and low-carbon living culture in Hong Kong.
A spokesman for the EPD said today (December 23) that since the implementation of the new regulation, the trade has generally complied with the law and adapted to the new regulatory requirements by making corresponding changes in their businesses. Over the past two months, the EPD has continued its publicity and educational efforts, followed up on complaints and handled the small number of cases that are still incompliant.
To date, the EPD has received 62 relevant complaints and reportings about non-compliance, all of which have been investigated, and 33 of them were still incompliant and had not taken specific actions to rectify after rounds of promotion and education. The EPD has issued written warnings requiring the persons-in-charge to make improvements within 10 working days; otherwise, a fixed penalty notice will be issued. The EPD has followed up 15 cases which written warnings had been issued more than 10 working days and two catering premises were still found persistently incompliant, and the EPD staff have issued fixed penalty notices of $2,000 each to the persons-in-charge. The EPD will follow up other cases again timely.
The spokesman reiterated, "Having reviewed the data in these two months after the adaptation period, most of the non-compliance had been rectified within a short period of time, and only two cases with repeated non-compliance records required the issuance of fixed penalty notices at present. The EPD reminds the trade once again that the adaptation period has concluded for two months. The EPD will on one hand continue our publicity and educational efforts, and on the other hand seriously follow up on incompliant cases with a view to working with the trade and the public to further promote the 'plastic-and-disposable-free' culture in the society."
