1.       Our work is divided into six programme areas: air, environmental assessment and planning, conservation, noise, waste and water. We also carry out activities that straddle two or more programme areas, concerning compliance, community awareness and cross-boundary and international co-operation. Our major achievements in 2005 are described here. Further details of our work can be found in Environment Hong Kong 2006.

AIM
To achieve and maintain satisfactory air quality through intervention in the planning process and enforcement of the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance and other statutory requirements.

2.       The EPD monitors air quality at 11 general stations and three roadside ones (see map in Figure 1). In 2005 air quality improved as a result of favourable meteorological conditions and continued efforts by Hong Kong and Guangdong to improve air quality. The Air Pollution Index exceeded 100 on 49 days, as compared with 87 days in 2004 (readings over 100 indicate non-compliance with short-term Air Quality Objectives). Details of monitoring results by pollutant and location can be seen in Table 1.

Figure 1 - Location of EPD's Air Quality Monitoring Stations (2005)

Table 1 - Compliance Status of Long-term (1-year and 3-month average) Air Quality Objectives (AQO) in 2005

Regional Co-operation

3.       Hong Kong and Guangdong are co-operating to reduce air pollution to well below 1997 levels. In addition to individual efforts, the EPD and Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau commissioned a joint regional air quality monitoring network on 30 November 2005. 13 stations are in Guangdong, and three in Hong Kong.

Power Plants

4.       Power plants are Hong Kong's largest contributors to regional air pollution, accounting for 92% of sulphur dioxide, 49% of nitrogen oxides and 51% of respirable suspended particulates emissions in Hong Kong. From August 2005 we imposed a cap on total yearly emissions from power plants when they renewed their specified processes licences; previously a cap was imposed on hourly pollution concentrations and rates. The two power companies also agreed to set up production-scale wind turbines to test their applicability in Hong Kong.

Volatile Organic Compounds

5.       VOCs contribute to smog. In 2005 the EPD reached agreement with traders to impose mandatory controls on VOCs in paints, inks and selected consumer products by 2007. An earlier proposal to require labelling and registration in advance of mandatory controls was dropped after taking into account the objections of the trades and careful consideration of the cost-effectiveness of controls. Hong Kong will be one of very few places in the world to impose VOC limits on products, placing it at the vanguard of VOC controls.

VOC-containing products.

Motor Vehicle Emissions

6.       Our programme to control motor vehicle emissions continued in 2005, with Euro IV petrol introduced in step with the European Union (Euro IV diesel is already our statutory standard). Since 1999 roadside levels of nitrogen oxides have fallen 17% and respirable suspended particulates 14%.

Planning Advice

7.      The EPD provides professional advice in the planning processes for strategic land use and transport. In 2005 we provided advice in 686 cases (see Figures 2a and 2b).

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Figure 2a - Statistics of Air Planning Advice in 2005

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Figure 2b - Yearly Statistics of Air Planning Advice

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING

AIM
To pre-empt environmental problems associated with projects, plans, policies and strategies by assessing their environmental implications and ensuring that effective preventive and mitigatory measures are implemented where potential problems are identified.

Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs)

8.       The HKSAR Chief Executive announced in October 2005 that all major Government policies would be subject to environmental protection scrutiny. This was a major breakthrough as it systemised the application of SEAs, which have been carried out in selected cases such as the Territorial Development Strategy Review and Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy. The EPD set up an SEA web site in December 2005 featuring guidelines, information, best international practices and other material. We also held two workshops for SEA practitioners during the year.

9.       In a related area, the EPD reviewed and commented on 172 environmental implications sections in 2005, contained in submissions to the Policy Committee, the Executive Council, the Legislative Council's Public Works Sub-committee and Environmental Affairs Panel, and other official bodies.

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO)

10.      The EIAO has been applied since 1998, protecting approximately 1.5 million people and approximately 14 hectares of fishponds through changes of alignment. By the end of 2005, 93 projects worth about $340 billion combined had met EIAO requirements and been approved. The EPD also operates an EIAO Support Section to provide assistance to other government departments and the private sector.

Public Engagement

11.      The EPD promotes continuous public involvement in the EIA process. To assist this process we developed a 3-D EIA public engagement tool in 2004, which makes it easier for non-professionals to understand the implications of projects. By the end of 2005 eight major works projects announced that they would use the tool, such as landfill extensions, CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd's liquefied natural gas terminal, the Logistics Park, the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) and the Sha Tin Central Link.
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A virtual reality model shows the predicted impacts of a project.

CONSERVATION

AIM
To conserve the natural resources and bio-diversity of Hong Kong and promote efficient use of energy in a sustainable manner, taking into account social and economic considerations, for the benefit of the present and future generations of the community.

12.      Conservation is a new responsibility for EPD, resulting from the department's merger with the environment arm of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau.

Energy Conservation

13.      The EPD's goal of reducing consumption of non-renewable energy was supported in the Government's "A First Sustainable Development Strategy for Hong Kong", released in May 2005. During the year we secured agreement from Hong Kong's two power companies to set up production-scale wind turbines. We also consulted industry, the public and the Advisory Council on the Environment on a proposed mandatory energy efficiency labelling scheme, receiving generally favourable feedback. A legislative proposal on this is now being prepared. In addition, the EPD promoted a Government initiative to set air-conditioning temperatures at 25.5 degrees Celsius in summer months.

Wind Turbine on Lamma Island.

Nature Conservation

14.      The Government announced a New Nature Conservation Policy in November 2004 to protect important ecological sites. From that emerged two pilot schemes to enhance protection of sites on private land. The Pilot Scheme for Management Agreements allows non-government organisations to apply for government funding to provide landowners with financial incentives for protecting sensitive sites. Three projects were approved in 2005, receiving a total $4.6 million from the Environment and Conservation Fund. The Pilot Scheme for Public-Private Partnership allows development in less-sensitive areas of a site, but applicants must commit to long-term conservation of the rest of the site. Six applications are now under consideration.

15.      In addition, a legislative amendment was proposed so Hong Kong can fully comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regarding medicines made from these species. The proposed amendment also streamlines existing licensing mechanisms.

NOISE

AIM
To prevent, minimise and resolve environmental noise problems through formulation of noise policy, intervention in the planning process, implementation of noise abatement measures and enforcement of the Noise Control Ordinance.

Traffic Noise

16.      One million people in Hong Kong are exposed to excessive traffic noise. The EPD has undertaken a number of measures to tackle this problem. In 2005, we compiled our efforts into a package of five strategies to give the public a better understanding of our work. The strategies are described below:

	(i)	New roads: The EPD uses planning and environmental impact assessment to reduce noise on new roads. Since 1990, 500 000 people have been protected through planning measures including road alignment. Another 190 000 people have been protected by road barriers on new roads, costing $1.3 billion (see Figure 3). Low-noise surface has now become a standard practice for high-speed roads. In addition, 7 700 flats have been protected through insulation since 1995 (see Figure 4).
	(ii)	Newly registered vehicles: Vehicles must meet the latest European and Japanese noise standards for first registration. We are also exploring ways to enhance the community's awareness of proper vehicle maintenance to help reduce noise.
	(iii)	Existing roads: This is our biggest problem. A programme to resurface suitable road sections over the territory provided noise relief to some 50 000 people upon its completion in 1999. Under an on-going retrofitting programme, we have identified some 30 roads for retrofitting barriers or enclosures and 72 local roads for low-noise surfacing, protecting 210 000 people upon their completion (see Table 2). That leaves 550 existing noisy roads. For some road sections, traffic management is a possible option. A pilot scheme in 2003 met with objections from the transport trade. However, in July 2005 we started banning buses from Texaco Road Flyover from midnight-6am. Further such solutions will require co-operation from the community.
	(iv)	Public education: In 2005, we used a 3-D tool during public consultation for the first time, to help improve public understanding of noise issues. The tool vividly demonstrated the benefits of retrofitting a noise barrier along Tseung Kwan O Road to Kwun Tong District Councillors. We are also developing Practice Guides encouraging operators to take responsibility for reducing noise, such as using quieter driving practices.
	(v)	Research and development: The EPD is working with local universities to develop home grown solutions to technical needs, such as low-noise surfaces.

17.      Since 1986 the EPD has protected 150 000 flats through intervention in the planning process. In 2005, we provided advice in 1 370 cases (see Figure 5).

Nearby residents are protected against traffic noise from West Kowloon Expressway through a landscape buffer and noise barriers.

See Data

Figure 3 - Screening Structures to Reduce Traffic Noise

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Figure 4 - Accumulated Number of Dwellings Insulated in 2005

Table 2- Retrofitting Noise Barriers - Tentative Implementation Programme

Enlarge

See Data

Figure 5 - Breakdown of 1 370 Noise Planning Advice/Cases in 2005

WASTE

AIM
To develop and implement a sustainable waste management strategy for Hong Kong to reduce waste and to safeguard the health and welfare of the community from any adverse environmental effects associated with the improper handling and disposal of waste. This is done through a framework of programmes for the provision of facilities as well as legislative and institutional measures.

Waste Arisings

18.      Municipal solid waste has increased by about 3% annually in the past nine years as against a 0.9% growth in population. As a result landfills are running out of capacity earlier than expected. In 2005, it was estimated that all landfills would be full in six to ten years. (A breakdown of municipal, construction and special waste arisings can be seen in Figure 6). These wastes are disposed of in three strategic landfills (see Appendix II). In addition a Chemical Waste Treatment Centre (CWTC) on Tsing Yi Island treats chemical waste (see Figure 7 for details on 2005 arisings).

See Data

Figure 6 - Types of Solid Waste Disposed of at Landfills in 2005

See Data

Figure 7 - Chemical Waste Collected at CWTC in 2005

Policy Framework for Waste Management

19.      The Government identified waste management as a priority in A First Sustainable Development Strategy for Hong Kong, released in May 2005, and in the HKSAR Chief Executive's Policy Address in October 2005. Following that, the EPD issued A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014) in December 2005, laying out our goals and strategies for reducing waste loads and prolonging landfill life span.

A comprehensive package that addresses our waste problem.

20.      The framework sets three chief goals for 2014:

	(i)	Reduce the total of domestic, commercial and industrial waste that is recycled and landfilled by 1% per year.
	(ii)	Increase the recovery of municipal solid waste to 50%, as opposed to 40% at present.
	(iii)	Reduce the proportion of municipal solid waste taken to landfills to 25% from 60% today.

21.      The framework describes three broad strategies for achieving these goals. First, minimise, recycle and recover waste at source. Floor-based source separation will be in place in about 1 360 housing estates by 2010, covering 80% of the population (223 estates signed up to the source separation programme in 2005), with the aim of increasing the domestic waste recovery rate to 26% by 2012. Recyclers are also being supported with affordable short-term tenancies in advance of the commissioning of the EcoPark in Tuen Mun in 2006.

22.      Second, introduce incentives to reduce waste. Charges for disposal are being implemented, starting with construction waste (see Chapter 5). A bill on producer responsibility schemes is also being developed to provide a legal framework for these schemes.

23.      And third, provide treatment and disposal. We will adopt a multi-technology approach to treat and reduce the bulk of waste, and invest over $8 billion to extend existing landfills.

Other Waste Issues

24.      An amendment bill was proposed to the Legislative Council in May 2005 to provide proper controls on clinical waste. The EPD also opened a low-level radioactive waste storage facility on Siu A Chau that provides proper storage of low-level radioactive waste generated in Hong Kong.

A low-level radioactive waste facility opened on Siu A Chau in 2005.

WATER

AIM
To ensure that the quality of our marine and fresh water is such that the various conservation goals for them can be met, and that plans are formulated and implemented to ensure Hong Kong's sewerage systems can operate safely and effectively both now and with further urban development in future.

Water Quality

25.      The EPD monitors water quality to check compliance with Water Quality Objectives (WQOs). We have achieved more than 80 per cent compliance across Hong Kong as a whole. Further improvements will require extra investment in the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) and village sewerage improvement works. Details of our monitoring results can be seen in Figure 8 (Marine Water Quality in Hong Kong), Figure 9 (River Water Quality in Hong Kong) and at Beach Water Quality in Hong Kong.

See Data

Figure 8 - Overall Compliance with Marine Water Quality Objectives in Hong Kong 1986–2005

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Figure 9 - Compliance of Water Quality Objectives in Inland Waters from 1986–2005

HATS

26.      Stage One of the HATS was commissioned in 2001 and treats 75 per cent of the sewage around Victoria Harbour. However, we need to implement Stage Two to fully meet our WQOs. The public was consulted on options in 2004 and we reported the results to the Executive Council (ExCo) and Legislative Council (LegCo) in 2005. The Chief Executive-in-Council directed that we should split Stage Two into two phases and seek full recovery of the operating costs of sewage services (see Chapter 5 for details). Stage 2A, costing $8.1 billion to build and $430 million a year to operate, would collect the remaining untreated sewage and provide disinfection. Stage 2B, costing $10.8 billion to build and $700 million a year to operate, would provide a higher level of treatment.

27.      LegCo was in general agreement, but raised two concerns. One was over disinfection. The EPD is planning to chlorinate then de-chlorinate the treated effluent to remove the residual chlorine. An environmental impact assessment for the proposed disinfection is being carried out to ensure this will be the case. LegCo's second concern was the timing of Stage 2B. The Government agreed to review the timing in 2010 or 2011, taking into account water quality trends, sewage flow and population growth.

Trade Effluent Surcharge

28.      Commercial and industrial operators with higher pollution loads pay a Trade Effluent Surcharge. They can seek re-assessment if they reduce the contamination of their effluent, however this can be expensive for smaller operators. The EPD therefore is looking into how this process can be streamlined to reduce the corresponding costs.

Village Sewerage

29.      Contamination of rivers and streams by unsewered village houses has been a long-standing problem. In 2005 the Government earmarked $1.3 billion to connect sewers to the properties of 235 000 people in 236 villages. This was in addition to $500 million provided in 2004. The investment will also bolster a programme that has already connected or is connecting 94 000 people to sewers.

OTHER AREAS OF WORKS

Environmental Compliance

30.      Compliance with environmental law is encouraged through partnerships and enforcement. In 2004 the former Local Control Division was re-named the Environmental Compliance Division (ECD) to reflect these dual priorities, as well as our customer service work. Following that, in April 2005 the Central Prosecution Unit was separated from the ECD and now reports directly to a Deputy Director. This provides a clearer division between prosecution and enforcement activities.

	(i)	Partnerships: The EPD has formal partnerships with four key polluters: the construction industry, restaurants, vehicle repair workshops and property management companies . Between 2000 and 2005 convictions for these groups dropped from 1 095 (65% of the total) to 111 (40% of the total). Our 2005 programme included expanding a safety payment scheme for contractors to cover environmental performance; presenting guidelines on cold water thawing at a seminar for the restaurant trade; launching a Green Garage web site; and training 576 Property Management Environmental Protection Ambassadors. Apart from our formal partnerships, we produced ISO14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) support packages for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the construction and electronic/electrical sectors, and updated our support packages in line with the latest ISO 14001 EMS requirements. We also prepared to launch a Compliance Assistance Centre to provide tailor-made information to operators.
	(ii)	Enforcement: Prosecutions and complaints continued to decline in 2005 due to better behaviour by operators and improved enforcement. There were 300 prosecutions with 272 convictions (see Table 3), and 24 086 complaints (see Table 4). These include 3 410 noise complaints made to the Police. In addition, our Customer Service Centre handled 37 390 general enquiry calls during the year. We also conducted around 53 000 routine and inspections (see Table 5) and issued about 5 700 licences and permits (see Table 6).

31.      Apart from these routine activities, we held a workshop on managing pig farms and waste water for local farmers and launched a Livestock Waste Information System to provide the public with more information on this subject. We also developed a real-time monitoring system for dumping at sea, which will go on trial in 2006.

See Data

Figure 10 – Annual Record of Pollution Complaints

Table 5 - No. of Inspections in 2005

Ordinance No. of inspections APCO 20 300 OLPO 10 DASO 529 NCO 4 965 WDO 8 805 Livestock Waste 2 353 Chemical Waste 3 936 Illegal Dumping 1 880 Import & Export 636 WPCO 17 880 EIAO 643 Cumulative Total 53 132

Community Awareness

32.      The EPD appreciates the importance and necessity of raising community awareness on environmental and sustainability issues. In 2005 our activities focused largely on waste recycling to support the new programme on floor-based source separation of waste (see Waste section in this chapter).

33.      During the year we broadcast two television programmes on TVB Jade explaining Hong Kong's waste problem and the Government's waste management policy. We also sent our officers into the community to promote and demonstrate waste recycling. About 500 Environmental Protection Ambassadors for Property Management were enrolled to undergo training on organising waste reduction activities in housing estates. The annual Environmental Protection Festival in December also promoted waste reduction and featured a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Day. Larger green groups and smaller organisations were also encouraged to pair up to conduct waste reduction projects, with funding from the Environment and Conservation Fund.

34.      Another theme in 2005 was energy conservation. World Environment Day 2005 promoted the Government's initiative to set air-conditioning temperature at 25.5 degrees Celsius. This message was also publicised in a TV Announcement of Public Interest (API). Another TV API will be launched in early 2006 to promote energy conservation in general.

35.      Our community awareness work also involved these on-going programmes:

	(i)	Schools Environmental Award Scheme cum Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme. In 2005/06, 778 schools and 15 447 students participated (see Figures 11a and 11b).
	(ii)	Hong Kong Green School Awards. In 2005, 147 primary and secondary schools participated, and 83 primary schools and 64 secondary schools gained the "Green School" status. Another 135 pre-schools participated in the Hong Kong Green Pre-School Award.
	(iii)	2005 Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards. We received 144 entries in the categories of Green SME Award, Green Property Management Award and Green Construction Contractor Award. The Award Scheme is organised jointly by the Environmental Campaign Committee, EPD, The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and Hong Kong Productivity Council.
	(iv)	Environmental Resource Centres. Some 100 000 people visited the centres in Fanling, Tsuen Wan and Wan Chai and the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre in 2005.
	(v)	Community Green Network Programme. "Green Desks" were set up in 118 shopping malls, housing estates and other public places during the year. Officers also gave 42 talks to members of mutual aid committees and owners incorporations.
	(vi)	Environmental Education and Information Counter. This counter handled over 8 000 enquiries and received some 5 000 visitors.
	(vii)	Others. The EPD reports regularly on beach water quality, the Air Pollution Index, the Regional Air Quality Index, prosecutions, environmental impact assessments, monitoring of rivers, streams and marine waters and monitoring of solid waste in Hong Kong. The Environmental Protection Interactive Centre enables users to set parameters for the information they are seeking, and apply, pay for and receive permits and licences on-line.

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Figure 11a -	Number of Primary & Secondary Schools Participating in the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme

See Data
Figure 11b -	Number of Students Participating in the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme

Estates joining the Pilot Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste organise publicity and educational programmes to enhance residents' awareness of waste recovery.	The Mobile Environmental Resource Centre draws the interest of students on the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste.

Cross-boundary and International Co-operation

36.      Cross-boundary: The EPD has an active programme of co-operation with Guangdong to control regional pollution. In December 2005 the sixth Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection was held to review progress on our co-operative initiatives and identify tasks for 2006. Attention focused mainly on air and water pollution.

37.      For air pollution, the two administrations continued to work towards reducing pollution to well below 1997 levels, as agreed in 2002. A joint regional air quality monitoring network began operating on 30 November 2005. Each administration also carried out individual initiatives (see Air section of this chapter for details of Hong Kong's programme).

38.      For water pollution, Hong Kong and Guangdong continued to develop a joint water quality model for the Pearl River Delta, due to be completed in 2006. We are also studying further joint actions on Deep Bay. Hong Kong is a member of the Pan Pearl River Delta Co-operation, together with Macao and nine Mainland provinces (including Guangdong), and in 2005 members agreed to co-operate to control pollution along the length of the Pearl River.

39.      At a national level, the EPD co-operates with the State Environmental Protection Administration. Regular exchanges and co-operation started in 2004 on environmental impact assessment matters and were extended to air pollution in 2005.

40.      International: The EPD made preparations in 2005 to enable Hong Kong to comply with two international conventions, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. The Stockholm Convention has applied to Hong Kong, whereas the Rotterdam Convention is not yet applicable. A draft implementation plan has been compiled for the Stockholm Convention, incorporating suggestions from stakeholders. Legislation to control the import, export, domestic production and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals is also being drafted.