|
Our
Contribution to the Environment
Planning
for a Better Environment
Prevention
and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment
Better Air Qualiy
Quieter Environment
Environmentally Sound Waste
Management
Better Water Quality
We
will formulate and implement programmes to improve and safeguard
the environment
We
aim to pre-empt environmental problems associated with development
projects, plans and policies by applying environmental impact
assessment in the planning process and seeking opportunities
to improve the environmental quality of Hong Kong "
Prevention
and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment
During
1999, we processed more than 110 applications under the Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance involving projects at a
total cost of $62 billion. The impact avoidance measures adopted
in these applications will eventually benefit about 270,000
people in the vicinity of railways, roads or on new reclamation
sites. We also managed more than 100 environmental monitoring
and audit programmes during project implementation to ensure
compliance with EIA recommendations.
Pre-empting
environmental problems:
Hongkong
Electric Company's new 1,800MW power generating units at the
Lamma Extension: Through the EIA process applied at the planning
stage, the new generation units are to be fuelled by natural
gas instead of coal. The choice of the greener fuel means
a reduction in total annual emissions of sulphur dioxide (60%),
nitrogen oxides (40%) and carbon dioxide (10%) compared with
levels without the new generation units.
Reclamation
and developments in Tai Ho Bay: The EIA on Tai Ho Bay in North
Lantau indicated that it is one of the most valuable fresh
water habitats in the territory, supporting more than 40 different
fish species. As a result of the EIA study recommendation,
the originally planned 10 ha reclamation within Tai Ho Bay
was dropped in order to conserve the important ecosystem within
the bay area.
Cyber
Port Development: The statutory EIA process allowed due environmental
considerations in the planning and design of this development.
Upgraded sewage treatment facilities, 2.9 km noise barriers
and 2.2 ha of compensatory landscaping will be adopted to
avoid or minimise adverse environmental impact.
Image
of Choice of a greener fuel through the EIA process reduces
emission of pollutants
Image of Natural habitat of high ecological value and bio-diversity
protected through the EIA process
Image of The statutory EIA process allowed due environmental
considerations in the planning and design of Cyber Port development
| In
2000 - 2001, we will enhance public participation in the
EIA process by establishing an electronic network to provide
environmental information to the public, and by requiring
project proponents to put the environmental monitoring
and audit results on the Internet. This will also significantly
reduce the amount of paper used in producing hard-copies
of reports. We will also establish an EIA Ordinance Help
Bench on the Internet to provide 24-hour, online guidance
and an information database for project proponents, consultants
and the public. |
|
