Environment Bureau Environmental Protection Department ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 2009 Small Medium Large 繁體 简体
Feature ArticleSummary of HighlightsLooking Ahead
Milestones in Environmental Protection Since 1986
Milestones Organisation charts Resource Materials
Milestones 1986-1991 Milestones 1992-1997 Milestones 1998-2002 Milestones 2003-2007 Milestones 2008
 
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).
1987
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.
1988
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.
1989
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.
1990
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.
1991
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.
1992
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.
1993
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.
1994
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.
1995
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.
1996
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.
1997
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.
1998
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.
1999
Saw the Chief Executive emphasise "Quality People, Quality Home" and sustainable development in his Policy Address.
Announced a comprehensive programme of measures to tackle motor vehicle emissions.
2000
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.
2001
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 the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS)].
2002
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 saw co-operation with community groups to launch waste recovery schemes.
2003
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.
2004
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.
2005
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.
2006
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.
2007
Saw the formation of the Environment Bureau arising from the re-organisation of the Government Secretariat on 1 July 2007.
Launched the "I Love Hong Kong! I Love Green!" Campaign to encourage the public to switch to a greener lifestyle.
2008
January
Signed the new Scheme of Control Agreements with each of the two power companies.
Saw the Hong Kong Construction Association working in partnership with EPD, promulgate the Environmental Toolbox Training Kit for the construction sector.
Released the report on the Mid-term Review of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan.
Supported the launch of the Computer Recycling Programme by the computer trade.
Completed a site search exercise for the first phase of the Integrated Waste Management Facilities. Two potential sites were identified for further detailed engineering and EIA studies.
Saw $1 billion injected into the Environment and Conservation Fund and new priority programme areas identified, namely minor works projects to demonstrate and promote energy efficiency and conservation and waste reduction.
February
Saw the Council for Sustainable Development submit its Report on the Better Air Quality Engagement Process and recommendations to the Government.
Held the first Forum on Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Waste and a certificate presentation ceremony to commend over 200 C&I buildings.
Launched the 2008 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) to encourage green management and benchmarking by companies and organisations. The award merged three Government-initiated schemes: the Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards, the Wastewi$e Scheme and the Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Awards.
March
Approved a total of $7.28 million in grants for eight projects, in the fifth round of applications under the Sustainable Development Fund.
Held the fifth event under the Council for Sustainable Development's Community Outreach Programme in Tai Po.
Concluded a public consultation exercise on the proposed mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes.
Completed a public consultation on banning idling vehicles with running engines and formulated a proposal in light of the feedback.
Commenced a comprehensive study on climate change in Hong Kong.
Supported the launch of the Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme by the lighting trade.
April
Started construction on Advance Disinfection Facilities at the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2A.
Implemented the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance to control the import, export, manufacture and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals, including those covered by the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention.
Produced a CD-ROM with updated guidance materials and technical
information on green restaurants, for the restaurant trade.
Required all petrol filling stations to have a Phase II vapour recovery system to recover petrol vapour released during refueling.
Launched a tax incentive scheme for environment-friendly commercial vehicles.
Released the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Report for 2007.
Launched the five-year Cleaner Production Partnership Programme.
Completed the first phase of a system that enables electronic applications to be processed under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance according to the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance.
Opened the Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre, which is jointly operated by the Environmental Protection Department and the University of Hong Kong.
May
Began a study on co-use of land for the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2B.
Enacted the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Cap. 598).
Supported the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades in an SME Development Fund Project to control cooking fumes in the restaurant & catering trades, which held its closing ceremony cum technical guide press briefing this month.
Saw approval of an EIA report on the extension of the South East New Territories Landfill.
Established a library of 3-D electronic images of the major findings and elements of EIA reports on the EIAO website.
June
Launched the sixth round of applications under the Sustainable Development Fund.
Announced "Arrangements for the Implementation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects in the HKSAR" to facilitate the commissioning of CDM projects in Hong Kong.
Submitted a First Effectiveness Evaluation Report, as required under the Stockholm Convention, to the Central People's Government for inclusion in its National Report for China.
Commenced the land rezoning process for the North East New Territories Landfill Extension project.
Saw the Legislative Council approve expanded coverage of Designated Areas under the Noise Control Ordinance, to better protect the local community against construction noise.
Opened an Environmental Exhibition Corner at the Kennedy Town Community Complex in Kennedy Town, as a multimedia facility to deliver green messages to the public.
July
Amended the Air Pollution Control Ordinance to stipulate emission caps for power plants from 2010 and facilitate emissions trading as an alternative means for achieving the caps.
Waived the duty for Euro V motor vehicle diesel.
Launched the first guidelines for conducting carbon audits at buildings in Hong Kong, and commenced the "Green Hong Kong • Carbon Audit" campaign.
Saw the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap 603) enacted by the Legislative Council.
Commenced operation of the Animal Waste Composting Plant, which initially treated horse stable waste from the 2008 Olympic and the Paralympic Equestrian Events.
August
Saw a Memorandum of Understanding on energy co-operation signed between the HKSAR Government and the National Energy Administration.
Agreed to jointly transform the Greater Pearl River Delta Region into a Green and Quality Living Area at the 11th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference, co-chaired by the Chief Executive and the Governor of Guangdong Province, in Guangzhou.
Saw the extension of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade to Hong Kong.
Commissioned the Pilot Composting Plant at Kowloon Bay Waste Recycling Centre to treat food waste.
Commenced engineering and EIA studies for the first phase of the Organic Waste Treatment Facilities.
Held the Forum on Source Separation of Waste cum Award Presentation Ceremony 2008.
September
Saw the Housing Department introduce standard contractual requirements, developed jointly with EPD, to use QPME-type generators and non-tungsten energy-saving site luminaries for all its new construction projects.
Extended the deadline for applying for one-off grants to replace pre-Euro diesel commercial vehicles from 30 September 2008 to 31 March 2010, in line with that for Euro I diesel commercial vehicles.
October
Saw the Government release its response to the Council for Sustainable Development's Report on the Better Air Quality Engagement Process.
Saw approval of an EIA report on the construction and operation of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2A at Stonecutters Island sewage treatment works.
Launched an updated electronic version of the "Environmental Guide for Smart Business" to facilitate environmental compliance by local trades and industry.
Saw the Air Pollution Control (Fuel Restriction) (Amendment) Regulation 2008 come into force.
Released the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Report for the first half of 2008.
Established arrangement for regular meetings with the Macao government to enhance environmental cooperation between the two places.
Saw the Chief Executive announce in his 2008-09 Policy Address that the Government will consider setting up a Geopark.
November
Gazetted authorization of statutory easement for the construction of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2A Sewage Conveyance System.
Issued a Corporate Environmental Management (CEM) Resource DVD-ROM, with all published environmental management tools in one disk.
Fully implemented the Air Pollution Control (Dry-Cleaning Machines) (Vapour Recovery) Regulation, following a seven-year specified period, to further reduce residual PCE emissions from dry-cleaning machines.
Signed a "Co-operation Agreement on Cleaner Production between Hong Kong and Shenzhen" with the Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau.
Supported the launch of the Glass Container Recycling Programme for the Hotel Sector by the trade.
Commenced engineering and EIA studies for the first phase of the Integrated Waste Management Facilities.
Opened the Lantau North (Extension) Country Park, Hong Kong's 24th country park.
December
Organised a forum with the vehicle repair trade to enhance environmental knowledge among trade practitioners and promote communication.
Promulgated the "Technical Memorandum For Allocation Of Emission Allowances In Respect Of Specified Licences", which allocates to the power plants emission allowances for three specified pollutants from 2010.
Renewed the specified process licence for the Lamma Power Station, incorporating a new provision to facilitate the use of emissions trading.
Saw approval of the EIA reports on the Wan Chai Development Phase II / Central-Wan Chai Bypass and West Island Line.
Submitted the Product Eco-responsibility (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulation to LegCo for positive vetting.
Implemented the amended Building (Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Chambers and Refuse Chutes) Regulations, which require all new domestic buildings and the domestic part of new composite buildings to be provided with refuse storage and material recovery room on every floor to facilitate source separation of waste.
Exhibited the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Sludge Treatment facility for public inspection.
Saw 996 housing estates / residential buildings enrolled in the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste by year's end against a target of 920, covering some 53 per cent of the population.
Produced the fourth generation of 3-coloured waste separation bins jointly with the Environmental Campaign Committee.
 
  2009 © Important Notices
NEXT BACK Top