About Us
Introduction
Environment and Conservation Fund
The Environment and Conservation Fund (“ECF”) is a statutory trust fund established in June 1994 under the Environment and Conservation Fund Ordinance (Cap. 450) (“the Ordinance”). The Government also established the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee (“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.
From its establishment to 2012, the ECF received six government injections totalling $1.735 billion. Later in June 2013, the Government injected an additional $5 billion into the ECF as seed money.
Government injection details are as follows:
| Year | Amount of Government Injection |
| 1994 | $50 million |
| 1998 | $50 million |
| 2002 | $100 million |
| 2006 | $35 million |
| 2008 | $1 billion |
| 2011 | $500 million |
| 2013 | $5 billion* |
The ECF is placed with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for earning an investment return that is linked to the performance of the Hong Kong Exchange Fund with a view to providing long-term and sustained funding support for educational, research and other projects and activities in relation to environmental protection and nature conservation in Hong Kong.
The Ordinance provides for the Secretary for Environment and Ecology to act as the ECF trustee. 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, monitoring the implementation of projects and activities, and publicising and promoting the ECF.
The Government has demonstrated its long-term commitment to the environment of and nature conservation in Hong Kong through the ECF’s funding support to local organisations and the Environmental Campaign Committee for implementing green projects and activities. The ECF has funded nearly 7 000 green projects and activities so far, with a total funding of over HK$4 billion.
The Committee advocates 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 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 like to encourage members of the public to join hands to practise low-carbon living, draw up action plans and work together with the Government to achieve sustainable development in the community.
Applications from eligible local organisations (e.g. local bodies, community organisations, green groups, charitable organisations, school sponsoring bodies, tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools, nurseries and kindergartens, etc.) are welcomed. In general, project proposals that may be considered for funding support by the ECF should fulfill the following basic requirements:
the project must help enhance the overall environmental quality of Hong Kong, raise environmental awareness of the local community, promote public participation in green and low-carbon living, and assist the Government in protecting the environment through their actions;
the benefits of the project must accrue to the local community as a whole, and not just to individuals, a private organisation or a group; and
the project must be non-profit making in nature.