Policy and Consultation Papers | Environmental Protection Department

Annex B

MAIN ON-GOING ACTIONS AND NEW INITIATIVES

This appendix summarizes the main on-going actions and new initiatives. It can serve as a checklist to monitor progress in implementing the strategy initiated in the 1989 White Paper, and in pursuing further tasks relating to sustainability.

The 1989 White Paper Objectives

Achieving the objectives of the 1989 White Paper will depend on several factors, including financial and staffing resources of the government, consultation with those affected by particular proposals, and the general level of community and political support for the measures necessary to achieve the objectives. On attaining the White Paper's objectives, we can expect:

an environmentally acceptable waste management programme for the foreseeable future;
comprehensive and environmentally acceptable territory-wide schemes for sewage collection and disposal, lasting well into the 21st century;
our inshore waters to be a community asset, particularly for swimming and recreation;
attainment of air quality objectives, with significantly reduced risks to health;
a general improvement in environmental conditions as a result of improved procedures and better co-ordinated planning;
a more environmentally aware and well informed community prepared to improve its environment; and
a quieter city.

Main Actions for the Next Two Years

Planning Against Pollution

Environmental assessments will continue to be an integral part of development planning:

We have implemented the EIA Ordinance on 1 April 1998 to make the EIA requirements enforceable. We will continue to apply strategic environmental assessments to major policies and strategies.
EPD will launch a video on environmental auditing to both the public and private sectors by mid 1998 as part of an environmental audit training consultancy.
EPD will establish the Housing One-Stop Shop to facilitate dedicated and timely solutions to overcome environmental constraints associated with the public and private housing supply.

Air Pollution Prevention and Controls

Achievement of air quality objectives will depend to a large extent on our ability to reduce pollution from diesel vehicles. Further actions include:

To complete a trial of LPG taxis with a view to developing a viable strategy to convert part of the diesel vehicle fleet to clean fuel alternatives.
To introduce the latest Euro Phase II standards to small diesel vehicles on 1 October 1998
To make vehicle smoke emission checks a standard feature of annual inspections of in-service commercial diesel vehicles subject to the satisfactory performance of smoke meter measurement.
To investigate the practicability of introducing dynamometer smoke tests to all smoky vehicles being spotted.
To examine mechanisms to strengthen enforcement against smoky vehicles.
To examine the feasibility of disposing of ozone depleting substances at the Tsing Yi Chemical Waste Treatment Centre.
To continue to extend licensing control to all premises operating the specified industrial processes by 2002.
To develop legislative controls on benzene emissions from petrol filling stations and on perchloroethylene emissions from dry cleaning facilities.
To set up additional air quality monitoring stations at busy roadsides, including Central, Causeway Bay and Eastern District.
To set up equipment to monitor the ambient concentrations of key toxic air pollutants.
To develop a numerical air quality model to provide more accurate projections of the air quality implications of territory wide land use and transport plans.
To monitor the compliance with advisory guidelines for facilities susceptible to air pollution such as road tunnels, underground carparks and large transport terminus, and where necessary, to develop measures to assist the operators concerned to improve the air quality in their premises.
To carry out air quality improvement work for Sha Tin New Town Plaza and Tsuen Wan MTR Interchange.
To study in collaboration with our Guangdong counterparts the air pollution issues in the Pearl River Delta Region.

Water Pollution Prevention and Controls

The water pollution control strategy is generally on track and has brought about a modest but steady improvement in the quality of inland waters. Further actions include:

To continue the implementation of all the 16 SMPs work for completion by 2006.
To complete the construction of six collector tunnels under the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS) Stage I by 2000.
To complete the detailed EIA Study of SSDS Stage II oceanic outfall by 1998.
To commission a study on Stages III and IV of SSDS in early 1998.
To continue the construction of new sewers in phases over the next five years in Sha Tin, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Hong Kong Island South, Cheung Chau, Tuen Mun and the North District.
To review the sewage charging scheme.
To formulate a pertinent management strategy for Deep Bay in consultation with Shenzhen authorities.
To conduct a comprehensive review of the cumulative water quality impacts of strategic coastal developments.
To develop a coherent policy on toxic substances and a strategy for controlling their release into the water environment.
To initiate an assessment of the importance of non-point pollution sources with a view to devising a control strategy.

Noise Pollution Prevention and Controls

The noise control strategy is on track. Future priority will be given to the abatement of road traffic noise. Further actions include:

To monitor closely the potential noise impacts arising from major infrastructure projects, such as the Western Corridor Railway and the MTR Tseung Kwan O Extension.
To continue to provide environmental inputs to the town planning process to pre-empt excessive noise impacts.
To re-surface 1.5 km of road with noise reducing materials by 1998 under the Quiet Road Surface Programme.
To continue to provide noise insulation measures to the remaining 3,800 classrooms in 200 schools under the School Insulation Programme.
To study the feasibility of installing noise barriers or enclosures on existing roads.
To continue to work closely with MTRC and KCRC to ensure the use of best practicable mitigation measures to minimize noise impacts from rail operations.
To look for and promote advanced construction methods, equipment and techniques with less noise pollution.

Waste Management

The waste management strategy is on track with the development of the waste management facilities identified in the Waste Disposal Plan mostly completed. Further actions include:

To implement the Waste Reduction Plan in 1998 with a view to reducing waste to be disposed of at landfills by 40% over ten years.
To formulate a reduction and disposal strategy for construction and demolition wastes.
To refine and implement an effective clinical waste control strategy.
To build a stand-alone animal carcass cremator.
To commission a low-level radioactive waste storage facility on Siu A Chau by 2000.
To promote green purchasing.
To closely monitor the import and export of hazardous and contaminated wastes to ensure that our controls conform with international standards.
To expand the floating refuse scavenging service in phases.

Conservation of Natural Environment and Biodiversity

Our conservation policy should strike a balance between the need for development and the needs of the natural environment, to ensure that development is sustainable. Further actions include:

To continue to participate actively in international fora with a view to fostering regional co-operation in fisheries management and conservation.
To formulate a fisheries conservation strategy.
To invest some $100 million over five years on the development of artificial reefs at marine parks and at sites of special importance to local fisheries.
To increase penalties for conducting destructive fishing practices.
To better understand local biota through surveys on biodiversity of corals and reef fish and study on the Chinese White Dolphin.
To enhance conservation management of the Mai Po/Inner Deep Bay Ramsar site.
To identify more sites for designation as country parks, marine parks and marine reserves.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

All targets set in the 1989 White Paper were achieved. The following initiatives are being pursued to promote energy efficiency and conservation:

To review the current statutory control of overall thermal transfer value (OTTV) of new commercial and hotel buildings.
To implement the codes of practice for lighting and air conditioning installations.
To promote the draft code of practice for the design of electrical installations.
To develop the draft code of practice for lifts and escalators installations.
To prepare guidelines for the design of energy efficiency building services installations.
To extend the energy efficiency labelling scheme to washing machines and compact fluorescent lamps.
To continue to conduct energy audit surveys and implement improved energy management in public sector buildings.
To review the guidelines on energy audits.
To continue to evaluate the costs and benefits of different demand side management (DSM) measures and to co-ordinate the power companies' DSM programmes.
To develop an energy end-use database and modelling system.
To investigate the feasibility and develop a plan for the wider use of water cooling of condensers in air-conditioning installations.
To investigate the application of renewable energy in Hong Kong.
To study the use of alternative fuelled vehicles and other transport initiatives.

Environmental Education and Support to Industry

We will continue to run a series of educational and support to industry programmes with a view to further heightening public awareness on the importance of environmental protection. Further actions include:

To set up a mobile environmental resources centre by the end of 1998.
To set up more resource and education centres.
To develop more environmental education kits for teachers, students and different target groups of the community.
The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) to continue to organize environmental education activities for schools and members of the community.
To further incorporate environmental education elements into school syllabuses at both primary and secondary levels.
To continue to support environmental education and research projects under the funding of the Environmental and Conservation Fund and the Woo Wheelock Green Fund.
To maintain close liaison with green groups in launching environmental education and awareness programmes.
The Industry Department will continue to render their technical and financial support to industries in complying with environmental requirements.

Sustainable Development

A major consultancy study known as 'Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century' (SUSDEV 21) started in September 1997.

The objectives of the study include:

To define the meaning of sustainable development in the local context.
To develop guiding values, sustainability indicators and criteria covering the economic, social and environmental objectives.
To conduct baseline economic, social and environmental studies.
To establish a 'sustainable development system' (SDS)

The SDS will enable the systematic evaluation and monitoring of sustainability of our future development, and to provide a means for corporate decision-making on policies, plans, programmes and resource allocation to achieve sustainable development in Hong Kong.

The study will get the widest possible public participation throughout the study process to increase public awareness of the importance of sustainable development and solicit feedbacks on the community aspirations.

Internalizing Environmental Costs

To tackle environmental problems in a more effective way, we will make further use of market mechanisms to integrate economic decisions into environmental policy.

We will extend the polluter pays principle to enable the community to make a fair and reasonable contribution to the cost of providing the services necessary to protect the environment.
We will consider more use of other economic instruments for internalizing environmental costs. As a first step, we are launching and planning various charging schemes.

Regional Co-operation

While recognizing that pollution is no respecter of territorial boundaries, we will continue to co-operate with our neighbouring countries to safeguard the regional environmental quality.

Co-operation with Guangdong on environmental issues will continue under the Hong Kong - Guangdong Environmental Protection Liaison Group. Close contacts between Hong Kong and Guangdong have been maintained in implementing the 1997 Work Programme.
We will continue to participate in the expert groups on energy conservation under the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC).
We will continue to participate in the APEC Marine Resources Conservation Working Group in the area of marine environmental protection and conservation.
We will consider what practical measures could be implemented both to conserve energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We will continue to ban the import and exercise strict control over the consumption of ozone depleting substances.