Milestones in Environmental Protection Since 1986

	Established the Environmental Protection Department on April 1, bringing the majority of pollution prevention and control activities under one umbrella. Enacted Water Pollution Control Regulations under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (1980).
	Declared the first water control zone (WCZ) at Tolo Harbour. Commenced the Sewerage Master Plan (SMP) programme to provide a blue print for the sewerage infrastructure required to collect sewage on a catchment-basis.
	Implemented the Livestock Waste Control Scheme. Enacted the Noise Control Ordinance to provide statutory powers for the control of noise from domestic and public places, construction sites, industrial and commercial premises and noisy products.
	Published the "White Paper on Pollution: A Time to Act" laying down a comprehensive ten-year plan to fight pollution. Published the statutory Waste Disposal Plan under the Waste Disposal Ordinance to set out a ten-year plan for developing new facilities and closing old ones.
	Commissioned Hong Kong's first Refuse Transfer Station (RTS) at Kowloon Bay. Implemented the Air Pollution Control (Fuel Restriction) Regulations to limit the sulphur content and viscosity of fuel oils. Significant improvement was seen in ambient sulphur dioxide levels.
	Established the first two Local Control Offices (LCOs) to improve pollution control, services and liaison with the community. Introduced unleaded petrol on April 1 to reduce harmful lead pollution.
	Completed Hong Kong's first "over-road" noise barrier at Tate's Cairn Tunnel approach roads to protect adjacent high rise dwellings from road traffic noise. Saw an announcement in Governor's Address to the Legislative Council that all Executive Council policy and project papers will contain an Environmental Implications paragraph.
	Commissioned the comprehensive Chemical Waste Treatment Centre – the first in South East Asia, with a capacity to treat 100 000 tonnes of chemical waste per annum, most of which had previously been dumped in the harbour. Commissioned West New Territories (WENT) Landfill, the first of three strategic landfills in Hong Kong.
	Opened the EPD's Visitors Centre in Revenue Tower, Wan Chai to complement the Wan Chai Environmental Resource Centre and serve as another gateway to environmental information for the community. Banned the import of halons and introduced controls on 3,4-hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), 3,4-hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFC), and methyl bromide under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, fulfilling our global obligation in environmental protection.
	Launched Hong Kong's first Air Pollution Index (API) to inform the community of the status of air pollution in Hong Kong. Extended the 24-hour pollution complaints hotline service to six local hotlines to handle complaints on a district basis.
	Enacted the Air Pollution Control (Open Burning) Regulation to bring open burning activities under control. Established EPD's homepage in the World Wide Web to provide the public with easy access to environmental information conducive to an informed and environmentally aware community.
	Enacted the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance to set out the framework for controlling environmental impacts of major development projects. Launched a pilot scheme for liquefied petroleum gas taxis to reduce air pollution.
	Saw an announcement in the Chief Executive's Policy Address that all policy secretaries and directors of bureaux and departments have to provide environmental reports for their organisations starting from 2000. Saw agreement by the Hong Kong – Guangdong Environmental Protection Liaison Group to work towards removing all effluent from the Deep Bay catchment as a long term goal.
	Saw the Chief Executive emphasise on "Quality People, Quality Home" and sustainable development in his Policy Address. Announced a comprehensive programme of measures to tackle motor vehicle emissions.
	Saw endorsement by the Executive Council of a new policy to redress noise impacts from existing roads by means of engineering and non-engineering measures where practicable. Saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the State Environmental Protection Administration and the Environmental Protection Department on the control of hazardous waste imports and exports.
	Tightened motor vehicle fuel requirements, introduced Euro III emission standards for newly registered vehicles in step with the European Union, and required newly-registered taxis to be fuelled by LPG or petrol. Saw full commissioning of Stage 1 of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) [formerly known as Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS)].
	Completed a report on air quality in the Pearl River Delta region, through the Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection. Launched the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing Estates (Phase VI), with the participation of 1 200 public and private housing estates covering some 1.5 million households, and co-operation with community groups to launch waste recovery schemes.
	Participated in the Team Clean operation and undertook joint efforts with other government departments to improve environmental hygiene in the community, with particular emphasis on fly-tipping of waste, broken pipes and discharges in backlanes, illegal connections to stormwater drains and improperly maintained septic tanks. Saw endorsement of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan for the Pearl River Delta region by the Hong Kong–Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection.
	Saw the governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Guangdong Province jointly commence work to establish a Pearl River Delta region joint air monitoring network and the associated quality assurance and control manuals, and to arrange routine quality management meetings. Saw the Legislative Council approve the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill No.2 2003 to enable charging for disposal of construction waste at waste disposal facilities and to enhance control of illegal dumping of waste.
	Saw the merger of the Environmental Protection Department and the Environment Branch of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau on April 1. Published "A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)" which sets out a comprehensive strategy for municipal solid waste management in Hong Kong for ten years from 2005 to 2014.
	Commenced planning, investigation and design work for the tunnel system for the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. Launched the Action Blue Sky Campaign to encourage public participation in improving air quality in Hong Kong.
	Announced the implementation framework of the Emissions Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants in the Pearl River Delta Region. Consulted stakeholders on expanding the coverage of Designated Areas under the NCO to better protect the local community against construction noise. Participated in the launching ceremony of the SME Development Fund Project on Cooking Fume Control for the Restaurant & Catering Trades in Hong Kong, organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades.
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	Commenced the EIA study for the West New Territories Landfill Extension project. Collaborated with the Airport Authority to organise the 2007 Airport Environmental Best Practice – Air Quality Management Competition at the Hong Kong International Airport.
	Introduced the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Bill into the Legislative Council. Implemented the Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation which provides control on VOC content of architectural paints/coatings, printing inks and selected consumer products in phases, as well as requires reduction devices to be installed on certain printing machines. Released a report on the monitoring results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network for 2006. Launched a tax incentive scheme for environment-friendly petrol private cars. Launched an incentive scheme to replace pre-Euro and Euro I diesel commercial vehicles with new commercial vehicles compliant with the prevailing statutory emission standards.
	Commenced landfill gas export under the off-site landfill gas utilisation scheme for the North East New Territories Landfill. Awarded the first batch of tenancies in EcoPark. Conducted a two-month public consultation on a proposed environmental levy on plastic shopping bags. The proposal received overwhelming public support. Saw the Legislative Council agree to implement a ten-year plan to increase the sewage charge, with a view to applying the polluter pays principle to the provision of sewage services. The first annual increment will take effect on 1 April 2008.
	Saw the Council for Sustainable Development launch the engagement process on Better Air Quality, in which the community is invited to give views on actions during high air pollution days, electronic road pricing and demand side management. Reviewed the pilot scheme for Management Agreements for implementing the new nature conservation policy and obtained the support of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee to continue funding the scheme. Broadcast a one-hour TV show on World Environment Day 2007. The programme featured a "Cool Biz Fashion Show" to promote energy conservation and dressing-down at work. Saw the release of the first 3-D EIA visualisation tool for public access through the internet, during the statutory public inspection period of a project EIA report. Organised a ceremony to mark the appointment of Environmental Ambassadors of the Vehicle Repair Trade for a new tenure. Commissioned a consultancy study to review the Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) for Hong Kong and to develop a long-term air quality management strategy to meet new AQOs.
	Saw the formation of the Environment Bureau arising from the re-organisation of the Government Secretariat on 1 July 2007. Introduced the HKSAR Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention at a ceremony to launch China's National Implementation Plan for the Convention which officially kick-started the Convention implementation phase in the Mainland and the HKSAR. Promulgated the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance. Issued guidelines on driving habits and maintenance practices that reduce road traffic noise. The guidelines are for drivers, vehicle owners and vehicle repair technicians. Organised an environmental seminar on recent challenges related to the vehicle repair trade with the support of the Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee) and two SME vehicle repair trade associations. Renewed the Specified Process licence for the Castle Peak Power Station, with emission caps progressively tightening up to ensure timely compliance with Hong Kong's 2010 emission reduction targets.
	Held a Forum on Source Separation of Waste cum Award Presentation Ceremony. Signed an Agreement on Co-operation to Promote Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Production and Comprehensive Utilisation of Resources to Enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong between the Environment Bureau of the HKSAR and the Economic & Trade Commission of Guangdong Province. Collaborated with the Development Bureau to develop technical specifications for the use of dust proof mechanical truck covers in local settings. Promulgated new standards, "Risk-Based Remediation Goals", for use in contaminated land assessment and remediation in Hong Kong. Commenced planning and design work to upgrade Stonecutters Island sewage treatment works and preliminary treatment works under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A.
	Adopted the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Leaders' Declaration on "Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development", which was announced at the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Sydney. Established an Inter-departmental Working Group on Climate Change to strengthen the co-ordination of efforts to tackle climate change among the relevant bureaux and departments. Reached consensus with the computer trade to launch a voluntary recycling programme for computer equipment.
	Commenced the EIA study for the Sludge Treatment Facilities. Launched the Waste Reduction Web and Hong Kong Second-hand Exchange. Released the Guideline on How to Promote Green Lunch in Schools. Launched the Programme for Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste. Joined the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group to work closely with the participating cities to combat climate change. Launched the "I Love Hong Kong! I Love Green!" Campaign to encourage the public to switch to a greener lifestyle. Assisted Planning Department in completing the strategic environmental assessment study for the Hong Kong 2030 Planning Vision and Strategy. Launched an "Environmental Guide for Smart Business" to facilitate environmental compliance by local trades and industry, and organised promotional seminars to publicise the Guide. Released a report on the monitoring results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network for the first half of 2007.
	Completed the EIA study for the North East New Territories Landfill Extension project. Commenced revised charges prescribed in Schedules 1 and 2 to the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Chemical Waste) Regulation (Cap.354J). Reached consensus with the lighting trade to launch a voluntary recycling programme for fluorescent lamps. Obtained approval of the EIA report for the construction and operation of Advanced Disinfection Facilities at Stonecutters Island sewage treatment works. Organised the ninth Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Technical Seminar in Hong Kong. Launched a consultation to ban vehicles from running their engines during idling.
	Saw the Council for Sustainable Development organise an Air Summit to feed back the results of the engagement process on Better Air Quality to stakeholders and consolidate the responses to its findings. Launched a public consultation on the proposed mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes. Enlisted 766 housing estates/residential buildings to join the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste. Signed an Agreement on Enhancing Co-operation on Environmental Protection between the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR and the Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau. Completed the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan Mid-term Review. Completed the Cleaner Production Technical Support Pilot Project to promote cleaner production technologies to Hong Kong-owned factories in the Pearl River Delta region. Collaborated with the Hong Kong Construction Association to launch their first "Innovative Environmental Award" for the construction industry, to encourage the trade to develop creative solutions to overcome special environmental challenges. Brought into operation provisions under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Amendment) 2006 to facilitate the issuance of waste collection and disposal licences and to strengthen enforcement. Gazetted the "Product Eco-responsibility Bill". The Bill would provide a legal framework for implementing producer responsibility schemes in Hong Kong, with the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags as the first scheme under the Bill. Saw the Public Works Sub-Committee of the Legislative Council agree to the funding of the Advanced Disinfection Facilities at Stonecutters Island sewage treatment works. Provided a concessionary duty rate of $0.56 per litre for Euro V diesel for two years. Renewed the Specified Process licence for the Black Point Power Station, incorporating a new emission offsetting arrangement to provide for more emission reduction from more gas burning. Consulted the Legislative Council's Panel on Environmental Affairs on a proposal for mandating the use of ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) or cleaner diesel fuel in industrial and commercial processes.