Strategic Objectives
52. Environmental
protection is a long-term
undertaking. First, we
must adopt a forward-looking
strategic approach by setting
improvement goals for different
stages while allowing for
future new technology-induced
improvements. To reduce
air pollution, we have
formulated the PRD Regional
Air Quality Management
Plan. This plan, prepared
in partnership with the
Guangdong Provincial Government,
aims to achieve specific
emissions reduction targets
by 2010. We have now set
up a 16-station air quality
monitoring network in the
PRD. Based on the data
collected, the PRD Regional
Air Quality Index is released
everyday on the Internet
to keep the public informed
of the actual regional
air quality. The data collected
will also help us assess
the effectiveness of our
pollution reduction measures.
The Guangdong Provincial
Government has been strengthening
its hardware and software
to reduce pollution. Measures
being pursued include installing
desulphurisation systems,
using natural gas for power
generation, and striving
to speed up the introduction
of National III motor vehicle
emission standards (on
a par with Euro III standards)
in PRD cities.
53. In
Hong Kong, we have imposed
emission caps on power
plants at Castle Peak,
Black Point and Lamma Island.
These emission caps will
be progressively tightened
to meet the 2010 emission
reduction targets. I stress
that we shall not allow
these firm targets to be
compromised in any way.
We require power plants
to regularly review and
update their pollution
control technology by the
best practicable means.
The need to protect our
environment will be the
focus of our negotiations
with the power companies
over their new Schemes
of Control. Their permitted
rate of return will be
linked to their achievement
of the emission caps.
54. Vehicle
emissions account for some
25% of local air pollution.
In the long run, we will
continue to follow closely
the latest Euro standards
to ensure that we adopt
new fuels and technology
to reduce polluting vehicle
emissions.
55. All
of us will be able to help
make a difference to our
air quality if we are committed
to energy saving. The Government
has been making vigorous
efforts to promote building
energy codes (BECs). Newly
designed government buildings
have fully complied with
the BECs. We are also replacing
less energy efficient equipment
in older government buildings
as well as strengthening
daily housekeeping practices
by Government departments
to improve overall energy
efficiency. The Government
will adopt the concept
of greening of rooftops
whenever practicable in
the design of new buildings.
We are studying the wider
application of the concept
with a view to encouraging
more projects to adopt
this approach.
56. In
preparing for future development,
we have embarked on a review
of our Air Quality Objectives.
The Environmental Protection
Department, in light of
the World Health Organisation’s
new guidelines on air quality
announced last week, will
examine the local situation
and come up with suitable
targets and strategies
for the future.
57. For
wastewater and solid waste
management, we have made
steady progress in implementing
our long-term strategies
and initiatives. The Harbour
Area Treatment Scheme started
in the early 1990s and
we expect Stage 2A to be
completed in 2014. The
Policy Framework for the
Management of Municipal
Solid Waste for 2005-2014,
published last December,
is a comprehensive plan
covering the reuse, recycling
and reduction of solid
waste, together with a
timetable for legislation
on Producer Responsibility
Schemes and waste charging.
Since the launch of the
charging scheme on construction
waste early this year,
there has been a 36% reduction
in construction waste going
to landfills. |
