(B) Progress Report on additional measures described in the
Second White Paper Review
| Para | Status | Item | Situation as at December 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation | |||
| 5.35 |  |
The need for a Conservation Authority will be examined | A review of conservation policy was completed in May 96. |
| Pollution Control | |||
| Air | |||
| 6.12 | L | Penalties for smoky vehicles will be increased by 1995 | Implementation of a higher penalty scheme depends on a more objective enforcement mechanism, which is now being developed in consultation with the Police. |
| 6.12 | |
Inspection and maintenance programmes for commercial vehicles will be stepped up in 1995 | Smoke inspection by means of smoke meter and checks on air filters and emission control system of a vehicle has been incorporated into the annual inspection of commercial vehicles on a sampling basis. |
| 6.13 | O | Government will encourage introduction of electric vehicles | Electric vehicles have been exempted from first registration tax since 1994. Trial of two electric vehicles ended in 1996. The trial showed that electric vehicle technology is not yet mature and reliable enough for large scale introduction in the local operating environment. |
| 6.15 | |
Open burning of refuse in urban areas will be banned by 1994 | Regulation to prohibit open burning activities was implemented in Feb 1996. |
| 6.15 | |
Construction dust control measures to be implemented in 1994 | Regulatory control to require construction sites to implement mandatory dust suppression measures came into effect in June 1997. |
| 6.20 | |
Close Kwai Chung incinerator | Closed in May 97. |
| 6.21 | |
A toxic air contaminant study will be completed by March 95 | The study on toxic air pollution was completed in mid 1996. |
| 6.21 | O | A comprehensive programme to control toxic air pollutants will be introduced by 1997 | Assessment of toxic air pollutants is being undertaken in two air quality monitoring stations. Two air quality monitoring stations were established and put into operation in July 1997 to monitor toxic air pollutants. An air toxics control plan for overall control of toxic air pollutants is under preparation. |
| 6.23 | O | Measures to mitigate sick building syndrome will be introduced by 1995 | Consultancy on indoor air pollution was completed. Measures to prevent indoor air pollution being considered. |
| 6.23 | |
Air quality objectives for semi-enclosed spaces will be established by 1994 | Air quality guidelines for road tunnels were promulgated in 1993. |
| 6.23 | |
Guidelines and practice notes on ventilation design and systems and their operation will be published by 1996 | Practice notes for basement carparks were issued in November 1995 and for transport exchanges in 1997. Compliance with the Practice Notes being monitored. A follow-up survey for some 59 basement car parks conducted in March and April 1997 confirmed significant improvement of the air quality and good compliance with the issued Practice Notes. |
| Water | |||
| 6.32 | O | Measures to control non-point source polluting discharges and toxic discharges will be considered | Separate studies to develop strategies for dealing with toxic substances and non-source pollution will be commissioned in 1998/99, subject to funding. |
| 6.53 | O | Discussions with PRC on the EIA for the oceanic outfall will continue | The EIA commenced in May 1996. |
| 6.56 | L | The High Priority programme of the sewage strategy will be implemented for completion by mid-97 | Delayed due to contractual difficulties. Completion anticipated by 2000. |
| 6.57 | |
Victoria Harbour WCZ will be declared in phases 1994-97 | Phase 3 came into effect on April 96. |
| Noise | |||
| 6.67 | |
Regulations on motor vehicle noise will be proposed in 1994 | Legislation introduced into LegCo in December 1995. Regulation to require vehicles to meet stringent noise emission standards for first registration was implemented in Aug 1996. |
| 6.69 | |
Stricter control on powered mechanical equipment and noisy manual work will be introduced in 1994 | Amendments to Noise Control Ordinance enacted in Jan 94. Resolution tabled in LegCo in Jan 96. Tightened control was implemented in Nov 96. |
| 6.69 | L | Piling with diesel hammers will be banned in built-up areas by 1994 | Target implementation date revised to 1997 in Third Review to cater for extensive consultation. Provisions for the control under Noise Control Ordinance made in May 97. Measures to phase out noisy diesel, steam and pneumatic hammers will be implemented in early 1998. |
| 6.69 | O | Use of excavator-mounted breakers in certain works operations will be restricted by 1994 | Target implementation date revised to April 1996 in Third Review. Control to be implemented in stages. Starting from April 96, quiet road opening equipment must be used for night time work. Restriction on other types of construction works under review. |
| 6.71 | O | KCRC and MTRC will introduce noise abatement programmes | KCR: Noise abatement programme extended to 27 projects. Noise control works at Tai Wo station, Hin Keng and Tai Po Market have been completed. MTR: All trains will be retrofitted with new wheels sets and noise dampers by 1999. A noise enclosure between Shau Kei Wan Portal and Heng Fa Chuen station completed by August 1997. |
| 6.75 | O | Scheme to minimise vehicle noise at night will be proposed | Feasibility of 5 traffic management schemes are currently under study. Consultation started in 1997. |
| 6.76 | O | $445M will be spent on the School Insulation Programme [by 96] | Around 400 schools have been insulated. Additional 200 schools will be insulated from 1997 to 1999. |
| 6.76 | O | $101M will be spent on noise mitigation for households affected by ACP [by end 95] | $90M has been spent on noise mitigation measures in the form of noise insulation for households affected by ACP[by 1996]. Further $62M spent in 1997. |
| 6.76 | O | More roads will be treated with noise reducing overlay | All new highways will be treated. About 9.7 km of existing road has been resurfaced, benefiting 13,000 dwellings. |
| Waste | |||
| 6.92 | L | Charges for solid waste at landfills will be introduced from early 94 | Delayed due to objection from the trade. Charging scheme was modified considerably to address concerns of the trade; negotiation with the trade is on-going with the aim to implement the scheme as soon as possible. The WDO amendment enabling payment in arrears was enacted in Jan 97. |
| 6.94 | O | Planning for a Centralised Incineration Facility will continue | Alternative disposal options and their feasibility are being assessed. |
| 6.94 | O | Code of Practice for clinical waste will be published in 1994 | Code of Practice and draft legislative control framework are being revised to tie in with the alternative disposal arrangements. |
| Pre-empting Problems | |||
| 7.7 | |
Legislation for EIAs will be introduced in 1994 | EIA Ordinance was enacted in Jan 1997 and was implemented on 1 April 1998. |
| 7.39 | O | Government will plan an overall waste minimisation strategy for HK | A draft Waste Reduction Plan is the main outcome of the Waste Reduction Study. Public consultation was completed in Aug 1997. The final Waste Reduction Plan will be published and implemented in 1998. |
| Energy Efficiency | |||
| 8.6 | O | EEAC will complete research on patterns of energy consumption by 1994 | Research completed on a sample of commercial and industrial buildings. Consultant completed an energy end-use database in end 1997. Enhancement on transport sector energy consumption pattern and MARKAL forecasting model will be completed by mid 1998. |
| 8.7 | |
An Energy Efficiency Display Centre will be set up in the Science Museum by 1996 | Opened in July 1996. |
| 8.17 | O | Draft energy codes will be published by the EEAC in 1994 | We have completed the lighting and the air-conditioning design codes for voluntary implementation in late 1998. We are finalizing the draft code on electrical installations for EnAC endorsement in mid 1998. Public consultation on the draft code for lifts and escalators will start in late 1998. |
| Global Goals | |||
| 9.6 | O | Government will work closely with WWF on a full environmental profile for HK | The project began in Dec 95 with funding from the Environment and Conservation Fund and Woo Wheelock Green Fund. |
| 9.17 | |
Government will seek extension of Basel Convention to HK | The Convention was extended to Hong Kong in Oct.95. |
| Shared Responsibility | |||
| 10.12 | |
EPD's local control offices will be extended | Six offices have been set up. |
| 10.14 | O | An Environment Resource Centre (ERC) will be opened in 1993; more centres will be considered | Wanchai ERC opened in Dec 93. EPD Visitor Centre opened in June 94. The second ERC in Tsuen Wan is being operated by a green group under the funding from Environment and Conservation Fund. |
| Legends: Action completed L Programme running late O Action on-going |
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