Hong Kong families who took part in a competition to cut carbon emissions and power use reported an average 23% fall in electricity consumption, says WWF Hong Kong.

 

More than 3,100 families took part in the five-month contest, which was aimed at encouraging Hong Kongers to reduce their energy consumption through changing their habits.

 

“If every household in Hong Kong takes similar actions to cut their electricity use by 23%, Hong Kong will be able to reduce its overall carbon emissions by 1.56 million tonnes,” said William Yu, head of WWF Hong Kong's climate program.

 

The challenge was launched last September after the Hong Kong government said it would give a HK$3,600 ($462) subsidy on household electricity bills.

 

At a time when consumers and businesses are seeking ways to improve energy efficiency, the handout was widely derided for encouraging wasteful energy use.

 

One winner, Mrs Chan, said she tried to wash clothes when it was not raining so as to avoid using a dryer, while other winners said they had switched from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs, switched off lights when not in use and made use of fans instead of air-conditioners.