| Major
Initiatives under EPD's programme: |
| Reporting
Area |
Targets
for 2003 |
Progress
in 2003 |
| Contribution
to Strategic Decision- making |
- To
prepare a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) manual
to provide guidelines and technical advice on SEA.
|
- An
interim SEA Manual had been published to seek practitioners’
views.
|
- To
produce a CD-ROM to capture the knowledge and experience
shared at the “Conference on Reshaping Environmental
Assessment Tools for Sustainability”.
|
- The
CD-ROM was published in June 2003.
|
- To
update various environmental databases for the Computer-aided
Sustainability Evaluation Tool (CASET) in 2003.
|
- CASET
indicators were updated in August 2003.
|
| Prevention
and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment |
- To
launch an additional feature in the EIAO Website to enable
searching of environmental monitoring and audit information
of major development projects by geographic areas or by
nature of the project in October 2003.
|
- Additional
features including web-based EM&As, project websites
and EIA & monitoring information, were added to the
website to enhance user-friendliness when searching for
environmental monitoring and audit information of major
development projects.
|
| Better
Air Quality |
- To
continue the large-scale retrofit programme for pre-Euro
standard diesel vehicles over 4 tonnes.
|
- By
end 2003, over 15 000 pre-Euro diesel vehicles over 4 tonnes
had been retrofitted with a particulate removal device.
|
- To
enforce a regulation to require the installation of a particulate
reduction device in pre-Euro standard diesel vehicles up
to 4 tonnes when their licences are renewed, subject to
approval by LegCo.
|
- A
regulation for mandatory installation of a particulate reduction
device for vehicles up to 4 tonnes became effective on 1
Dec 2003.
|
- To
proceed with the continued enforcement of the perchloroethylene
regulation, including the vetting of new dry-cleaning machines
for inclusion in the approval list.
|
- Continued
processing applications on new models of dry-cleaning machines
using perchloroethylene in their operations, and kept abreast
of new and innovative developments in the area of dry-cleaning.
|
- To
launch the voluntary Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme
for Offices and Public Places in mid-2003.
|
- The
Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme was opened for application
in September 2003.
|
- To
implement the following tasks, which were agreed by the
special panel on Pearl River Delta Air Quality Management
and Monitoring set up under the Hong Kong – Guangdong
Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental
Protection:
|
|
| - |
To draw up a regional air quality management plan in 2003; |
|
| - |
Prepared a regional air quality management plan which
was subsequently endorsed by the Joint Working Group; |
|
| - |
To establish and operate a regional air quality monitoring
network consisting of a total of 16 stations by 2004; |
|
| - |
Developed a joint air quality monitoring network for operation
to start in 2004; |
|
| - |
To compile a 2001 regional emissions inventory in 2003; |
|
| - |
Drafted a 2001 regional emissions inventory; |
|
| - |
To compile a handbook on preparing a regional emissions
inventory in 2003; |
|
| - |
Compiled
for release in 2004 a handbook on the methods for assessing
the quantities of air pollutants emitted from different
pollution sources in the region; |
|
| - |
To conduct a technical exchange workshop on monitoring
techniques for particulate matters and VOCs in February
2003; |
|
| - |
Conducted
technical exchanges and workshops on topics such as air
quality monitoring and pollution control; |
|
| - |
To evaluate the feasibility of establishing an emissions
trading pilot scheme in the energy sector in the Pearl
River Delta Region by end of March 2003. |
|
| - |
Assisted the Government in exploring the feasibility of
cross-boundary emissions trading schemes. |
|
- To
finalise and issue the practice notes for managing air quality
in air-conditioned public transport facilities.
|
- The
practice notes for managing air quality in air-conditioned
public transport facilities (buses and railways) were issued
in late 2003.
|
- To
introduce a regulation to require petrol filling stations
to install vapour recovery systems to control emission of
petrol vapour during vehicle refueling by end 2003 and to
implement the regulation in early 2004.
|
- Oil
companies and the Legislative Council were consulted on
the draft proposal. Draft regulation is now being finalised.
|
- To
prepare a proposal to amend the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance
to ban the import of products containing CFCs, tentatively
by 2005.
|
- Policy
support had been received for a CFC management plan to ban
the import of products containing CFCs by phases from 2006,
and expand the scope of products under control.
|
| Quieter
Environment |
- To
review 200 planning schemes and strategic proposals to minimise
noise problems for about 46 000 people.
|
- Reviewed
182 planning schemes to benefit 41 000 people.
|
- To
review the eligibility of 20 existing roads for inclusion
in the programme to retrofit barriers.
|
- Reviewed
the eligibility of 20 existing roads to retrofit barriers.
|
- To
support the investigation studies/design work for retrofitting
barriers for Phases 1 and 2 of the retrofitting programme,
the engineering feasibility studies for Phase 3 and the
work for resurfacing the identified road sections.
|
- Supported
investigation studies/design work/engineering feasibility
studies for retrofitting barrier projects and the work for
resurfacing the identified road sections.
|
- To
issue codes of practice to guide the industry on good management
practices to prevent violation of the Noise Control Ordinance.
|
- Consulted
the industries and the Legislative Council Environmental
Affairs Panels on the draft codes of practice, and are following
up the concerns raised.
|
- To
conduct a study on noise levels in Hong Kong.
|
- Commenced
the first phase of the study on noise levels in Hong Kong.
|
| Better
Water Quality |
- To
finalise the report on the 2002 EPD-State Oceanic Administration
(SOA) marine monitoring method validation work and develop
a plan to facilitate Hong Kong’s participation in
the National Marine Environment Monitoring Network.
|
- The
EPD-SOA marine monitoring method validation report was finalised.
A restructuring of the National Marine Environment Monitoring
Network was on-going and Hong Kong’s participation
will hinge on its outcome.
|
- To
complete the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) studies
and consult the community on the way forward.
|
- Progress
on the studies was delayed by the outbreak of SARS, which
affected the availability of the consultant’s foreign
staff in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, key findings were endorsed
by the HATS Monitoring Group in December. These findings
are being compiled into a final report for public consultation,
to be launched in the second quarter of 2004.
|
- To
introduce the new effluent standards into Legislative Council
for negative vetting subject to decision by our policy bureau.
|
- The
policy bureau requested us to collect additional information
for their decision-making process. The information was forwarded
to them in November 2003.
|
- To
propose a biological indicator monitoring strategy for the
marine environment.
|
- In
2003, a study on the development of a biological indicator
system for monitoring marine pollution was completed. This
study has provided the EPD with a sound scientific basis
for the formulation of strategies and plans for territory-wide
pollution monitoring using biological indicators.
|
- To
prepare a plan for monitoring pollution by toxic substances
in the marine environment.
|
- An
initial proposal on the monitoring of toxic substances in
Hong Kong’s marine environment was prepared following
the completion of the toxic substances study.
|
- To
complete the on-going sewerage master plan (SMP) reviews.
|
- All
current sewerage master plans (SMPs) reviews were completed
in 2003.
|
- To
commission a study on urban stormwater pollution, focusing
on the West Kowloon area, and to recommend measures for
tackling urban stormwater pollution problems.
|
- An
in-house investigation into stormwater pollution, focusing
on Mong Kok, was commenced in October 2003. The aim is to
gather more data on the nature and extent of pollution to
the stormwater system and to facilitate a policy decision
on the way forward in tackling this pollution issue.
|
- To
work out a proposal for an effluent reuse demonstration
scheme in North District area.
|
- The
Scoping Study for a pilot effluent re-use scheme in North
District was completed at the end of 2003.
|
- To
carry out preparatory work for the first progress review
of the Deep Bay Water Pollution Control Joint Implementation
Programme in collaboration with the Shenzhen Environmental
Protection Bureau.
|
- In
end 2003, Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau and EPD
reached an agreement on an overall co-operation framework
and the establishment of a joint study team to implement
the first joint review. Endorsement of the framework by
the Mirs Bay & Deep Bay Areas Environmental Management
Special Panel was expected in January 2004.
|
- To
formulate a Mirs Bay regional water quality management plan
jointly with Shenzhen authorities.
|
- The
Mirs Bay Water Quality Regional Control Strategy Study was
completed in March 2003 and the recommended water quality
management plan was endorsed in December 2003 by the Hong
Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development
and Environmental Protection.
|
| Environmentally-Sound
Waste Management and Facilities |
- To
submit legislative proposals to tighten up controls on illegal
disposal of waste, to the Legislative Council for consideration.
|
- An
amendment bill "Waste Disposal (Amendment) (No.2) Bill
2003", which provides for construction waste charges
and tighter controls on illegal waste disposal, was submitted
to the LegCo in Dec 2003 for first reading and second reading.
A Bill Committee is to be formed to discuss the Bill.
|
- To
prepare a draft legislative framework to support waste reduction
measures.
|
- The
framework will be drafted once the waste management options
for the relevant waste types are agreed.
|
- To
continue to implement on-going and new initiatives under
the Waste Reduction Framework Plan.
|
- Good
progress continued to be made on waste separation programmes,
the Wastewi$e Scheme, land allocation for the recycling
industry, and the reuse of construction and demolition materials.
|
- To
produce the first draft Waste Management Plan.
|
- The
first draft has been produced for internal discussion.
|
- To
submit the draft bill on construction waste charging scheme
for the Legislative Council's consideration.
|
- Progress
as reported in the first bullet of this Reporting Area.
We aim to implement the charging scheme in mid 2005.
|
- To
commission a pilot scheme to recycle waste tyres.
|
- We
commenced the pilot scheme to recycle waste tyres collected
at the Kowloon Bay Transfer Station in April 2003. For the
first nine months, about 2 100 tonnes of waste tyres were
recovered. The contractor used waste tyres collected to
produce a lightweight geo-construction material which has
been applied as filling material for road sub-base and slope.
Compared with landfill disposal, the pilot programme has
generated a saving of about HK$1.5 million in this first
nine months.
|
- To
complete a pilot scheme at the North West New Territories
Refuse Transfer Station for recycling electrical and electronic
appliances.
|
- Pilot
scheme extended to December 2004.
|
- To
continue assessment of submissions received under the Expression
of Interest (EOI) on Waste Management Facilities exercise,
and to develop integrated waste management facilities options
based on the findings.
|
- Assessed
the submissions received under the EOI on Waste Management
Facilities. Formulated several waste management technology
options for further consideration by the Advisory Group.
|
- To
complete a study to examine the best financial arrangements
and financial contract terms for the development and management
of a recovery park by May 2003.
|
- The
study to examine the appropriate development / management
arrangement for the Recovery Park was substantially completed
in 2003.
|
- To
consider other possible alternative uses of the Ngau Tam
Mei Composting Plant (NTMCP) site.
|
- Various
alternatives considered. The possible upgrading of the NTMCP
site for treatment of livestock waste was under consideration.
|
- To
complete the construction of the grass pitch at the former
Sai Tso Wan Landfill and open the facility for use by the
public in March 2004.
|
- The
construction of the Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground on the
former Sai Tso Wan Landfill will be completed in March 2004
and the facility is expected to be open to the public in
March/April 2004.
|
- To
commission the Ma Wan Refuse Transfer Facility.
|
- Commissioned
in March 2003.
|
- To
test out a new mode of waste separation by implementing
the Dry and Wet Waste Separation Pilot Programme in four
housing estates in Eastern District.
|
- The
12-month pilot Dry and Wet Waste Separation Pilot Programme
in four participating estates in the Eastern District commenced
in March 2003. We will conduct a review of the pilot scheme
in early March 2004.
|
- To
commission feasibility studies on extension schemes for
WENT and NENT Landfills.
|
- Consulted
the EIA subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on the Environment
on the findings of the Landfill Extension Study in December
2003. Following consultation with the relevant District
Councils, the feasibility studies for the three strategic
landfills will be commissioned in mid-2004.
|
- To
complete a review on the costs and benefits of the refuse
transfer station network.
|
- The
Draft Final Report of the review was issued. The Final Report
is being prepared.
|
- To
commence tendering for the provision of clinical waste treatment
facilities in the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre.
|
- The
draft tender documents were cleared by Legal Advisory Division
in September 2003. A tender evaluation proposal was finalised
and endorsed by ETWB and Central Tender Board in July 2003.
We are now pending direction from ETWB to invite tenders.
|
- To
complete the Technical Feasibility Statement of the sludge
treatment facilities and to start a feasibility and EIA
study for the facilities.
|
- The
Technical Feasibility Statement was approved by ETWB on
11.7.2003 and the consultant selection for the feasibility
and environmental studies has started.
|
- To
award the contract for the design, construction and operation
of a low-level radioactive waste storage facility.
|
- The
contract was awarded on 23 July 2003.
|
| Effective
Enforcement and Emergency Response |
- To
develop and implement a departmental prosecution policy
and enhance transparency to the public.
|
|
- To
develop and implement a new Complaint Management Policy
to streamline the handling of pollution complaints.
|
- With
the setting up of the Customer Service Centre, about 40%
of complaints and 98% of enquiries were successfully resolved
over the phone. It has become an ongoing job for LCD to
review and streamline the complaint handling process, with
the view to delivering a more effective and efficient service.
|
- To
explore the use of portable digital assistance in routine
enforcement work and complaint investigation with a view
to enhancing effectiveness.
|
- A study
was commissioned to study, develop and implement a mobile
computing solution for the enforcement process with a view
to enhancing its effectiveness & efficiency.
|
| Building
Partnerships |
- To
develop guidebooks, train-the-trainer VCDs and websites
on good practices for property managers and the construction
and vehicle repair trades.
|
-
Guidebooks and train-the-trainer VCDs were distributed to
the trades on how to control pollution and comply with environmental
laws. Dedicated websites on good practices for property
managers and the construction trade were also developed.
|
- To
enhance the Restaurant Help Desk service by including Meet-the-Advisor
services to provide technical advice on specific problems
and to disseminate new technologies/green practices.
|
- The
Restaurant Help Desk had been extended to provide a Meet-the-Advisor
service to the trade and to disseminate technical information/green
practices.
|
- To
develop a partnership with clinical waste stakeholders through
workshops and seminars so as to enable them to comply with
the new clinical waste legislation.
|
|
- To
hold eight Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance
User Liaison Group meetings to share experiences and discuss
how the EIA process can be improved.
|
- EIAO
User Liaison Group meetings were held in 2003.
|
- To
issue seven Guidance Notes to provide guidelines on good
practices on environmental impact assessment.
|
- Seven
Guidance Notes were prepared and circulated to User Liaison
group members for comment.
|
- To
deliver more EIA training workshops for partnership building
and for enhancing understanding of the EIA mechanism.
|
- A
total of 23 workshops were held for 550 participants from
both the public and private sectors.
|
- To
continue the EIA Helpdesk Hotline to advise on EIA matters.
|
- We
received 107 enquiries from government engineers, consultants,
contractors and the public.
|
- To
promote the EIA training and capacity building programme
to the private sector.
|
- In
addition to government departments, we provided workshops
to private and public sector corporations, contractors and
professional bodies.
|
- To
set up a Property Management Partnership Liaison Group as
a one-stop forum for discussing and resolving environmental
issues, including waste reduction, which are of concern
to the property management sector.
|
- Workshops
were organised with representatives from large property
management companies and their subsidiaries to promote green
practices and environmental compliance.
|
- To
deliver more training seminars or workshops for the partnership
trades in facilitating their environmental compliance.
|
- Organized
and delivered 45 seminars/training workshops on environmental
protection to over 4 600 members of the trades (construction,
restaurant, property management and vehicle repair) under
the partnership programmes.
|
| Environmental
Awareness and Education |
- To
implement Phase VII of the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing
Estates in 2003 to recruit 100-150 more housing estates
to participate.
|
- 1
333 housing estates had joined the Waste Recycling Campaign
in Housing Estates (Phase VII) which was launched in April
2003.
|
- To
invite 700 schools and over 12 000 students to join the
Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme in 2003.
|
- 724
schools and over 11 907 students joined the Student Environmental
Protection Ambassador Scheme in 2003.
|
- To
conduct 45 training workshops to train 900 stakeholders
to be green leaders in the first quarter of 2003. To complete
the Green Leader programme by end of March 2003.
|
- 70
training workshops were held in the first quarter of 2003
training up more than 2 250 stakeholders to be green leaders.
The Green Leader programme was completed in March 2003.
|
- To
conduct six environmental education training workshops for
300 teachers in 2003.
|
- 25
environmental education training workshops for 535 teachers
were held in 2003.
|
- To
arrange 110 community visits by the Mobile Environmental
Resource Centre in 2003.
|
- 112
community visits by the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre
were conducted in 2003.
|
- To
invite 100 more pre-schools to join the Waste Separation
Scheme for Pre-schools in 2003.
|
- Over
870 pre-schools joined the Waste Separation Scheme for Pre-schools
in 2003, up from 680 in 2002.
|
- To
organise 75 environmental awareness training sessions for
civil servants in 2003-04.
|
- 135
environmental awareness training sessions were organised
for over 2 000 civil servants in 2003.
|
- To
arrange 120 community outreach visits by Green Desk in 2003-04.
|
- 126
community outreach visits by Green Desk were arranged in
2003.
|