The newly created MOP200-million (US$25 million) Environmental Protection and Energy Conservation Fund has approved its first four grants, the Environmental Protection Bureau said in a press release.

The four projects were all submitted by local companies and include the installation of LED lighting systems and kitchen exhaust hoods.

The value of the grants was not made public.

At least in one case, not all the items submitted in the application were covered by the grant, as they didn’t follow the required technical criteria, the Environmental Protection Bureau said.

The fund’s first financial support plan is to subsidise the acquisition of green technology, products and plants by local companies and associations.

They can apply for grants worth up to 80 percent of the total to a maximum of MOP500,000.

Beneficiaries can only receive financial support once a year.

Expenses related to construction, installation or additional refurbishment works are not covered by the fund.

The fund will first focus on reducing air pollution, including emissions by vehicles and exhaust fumes created by the hospitality industry.