Hang Seng doubles support for renewable energy in China

Hang Seng has supported constructions of 600 biogas toilets in mainland China’s Yunnan province this year.

Covering the needs of about 2,400 villagers, it is twice more than that built by the Bank in 2009. The new toilets will save 1,500 tons of firewood every year, equivalent to 375 acres of forest, and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 7,500 tons.

The environmentally friendly toilets were built in remote villages in Xishuangbanna and Teng Chong county. A team of Hang Seng volunteers from Hong Kong and the Mainland recently visited the Teng Chong site to ensure the construction had been satisfactorily completed. This is the third year Hang Seng has sponsored this biogas toilet project, which is organized by The Conservancy Association. To date, the Bank has supported the building of 1,100 biogas toilets in Yunnan, benefitting over 4,600 villagers.

 The project provides a free and stable energy supply for cooking and lighting by channeling the methane gas that is released from pig manure and human waste collected in a specially designed underground pit.

 Mrs Margaret Leung, Hang Seng’s Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive, said "Environmental protection is a key part of Hang Seng’s corporate responsibility programme. We are delighted to have again partnered with The Conservancy Association to expand the use of renewable energy in mainland China. We are pleased that our staff volunteers have been able to monitor the completion of the project in these remote villages.”