HONG KONG: Senior government officials demonstrated their environmental awareness and rode public transportation to work yesterday, World Carfree Day.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang one-upped his colleagues by walking from Government House to the Central Government Offices, 500 meters from home.

"I do not find it (walking to work) tough," he said. "This is a car free day. I and other principal government officials support this campaign."

He said the campaign is meaningful for promoting environmental awareness.

"Hong Kong people are very concerned with the environment. They hope that the air quality and other environmental aspects can be better and better," he said. "Improving environment is very important in Hong Kong. The government will put effort into it. I hope Hong Kong citizens will also support it."

Secretary for Environment Edward Yau took the MTR to work.

"I walked to the MTR station, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes," he said.

Yau said he used to take MTR to work when he was working in the Trade and Industry Department.

World Carfree Day inaugurated by Greenpeace in Hong Kong this year drew support from 18,515 people including 57 organizations, four universities and 11 secondary schools.

Greenpeace Campaigner Prentice Koo said he believes the chief executive still has a lot of work to do to help the climate.

He demanded the government release the city's climate change consultation report and commit to public consultation as soon as possible.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/23/2009 page1)