Environment Hong Kong 2009 |
Vision & Mission | Foreword | Permanent Secretary / Director's Message | Contents | Feedback | 繁體 | 简体 | HTML | PDF |
Introduction | Cross-boundary and International Co-operation | Community Awareness | Customer Service and Partnerships | Environmental Assessment and Planning | Air | Noise | Waste | Water | Nature Conservation | Environmental Compliance | Energy | Sustainable Development |
Chapter 13 Sustainable Development
Mission To promote sustainable development in Hong Kong.
THE Hong Kong Government attaches great importance to sustainable development and has incorporated sustainability principles in its policies and decision-making process. Much effort has been given to promoting sustainable development to the general public. Photo - Hong Kong aspires to become a world-class sustainable city. The Council for Sustainable Development (SDC) advises the Government on priority sustainability issues and collects public views on these issues. In 2008 it submitted a report to the Government on a public engagement exercise on better air quality that attracted more than 80 000 responses. School and Community Outreach programmes also raise awareness among students and local communities respectively, while the Sustainable Development Fund provides financial support for community-initiated projects. Presenting the public's views on air quality The SDC carries out public engagement exercises on priority issues to solicit public feedback, which serve to better inform the Government on the public's views and aspirations and contribute towards the latter's policy formulation. The most recent exercise concerned better air quality and attracted more than 80 000 responses from the public. These responses formed the basis for the recommendations in the SDC's Report on the Better Air Quality Engagement Process, which was submitted to the Government in early 2008. Photo - Members of the public are invited to share their views at the "Air Summit" organised during the Better Air Quality Engagement Process. The Government welcomed the report and fully agreed with the SDC that a holistic and comprehensive approach was required to combat air pollution. To this end, the Government is reviewing Hong Kong's Air Quality Objectives in preparation for developing a long-term air quality management strategy to protect the public's health (see the Air section for details). Sustainability is about meeting the needs of both the present and the future. We therefore have to ensure our children – who are the beneficiaries, as well as the caretakers of this goal – understand the necessity of supporting sustainable development. Photo - A student shares his findings on local sustainability issues with community stakeholders. Encouraging action in the community Many groups like the one in Aberdeen have innovative ideas for applying sustainability in their communities. The Government offers support through the $100 million Sustainable Development Fund, which was established in 2003 to provide funding for deserving projects. Organisations and individuals who have a plan or proposal for enhancing awareness of sustainable development or encouraging sustainable practices can apply to the Fund. Photo - A member of the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centre, a recipient of the Sustainable Development Fund, speaks at an experience-sharing session to promote sustainable development. Such grassroots initiatives will help promote sustainable development. As long as people understand the importance of sustainability in their daily lives, and commit to practicing it, there is hope that we will achieve a level of development that sustains present and future generations. Our task is to nudge people towards that goal. Photo - Participants of Community Outreach Programme join a local tour activity.
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