Environmental Protection Department

Major Reporting Areas under EPD's Programmes

VII – CROSS-BOUNDARY AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION

Long term objective (1) :

Fulfil the HKSAR's obligations under the Stockholm Convention.

Targets

Measurement
Method / Indicator

Progress (or slippage with reason(s) if applicable) / Remark

Targets in 2006
i.	To submit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HRSAR) Implementation Plan to the Central People's Government for inclusion in China's National Implementation Plan, which will be submitted to the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention before November 2006.

Measured in terms of progress and achievement of targets.

Progress
The HKSAR Implementation Plan was submitted to the Central People's Government in September 2006. China's National Implementation Plan will be submitted to the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Stockholm Convention before the 3rd COP in May 2007.

ii.	To introduce the Hazardous Chemicals Control Bill into the Legislative Council in 2006.

The Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council in May 2006.

Targets for 2007
i.	To initiate priority action items under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention.

ii.	To secure early passage of the Hazardous Chemicals Control Bill.

Measured in terms of progress and achievement of targets.

Remark
Nil.

Long term objective (2) :

Work with Guangdong authorities to improve regional air quality in the Pearl River Delta region.

Targets

Measurement
Method / Indicator

Progress (or slippage with reason(s) if applicable) / Remark

Targets in 2006
i.	To implement jointly with Guangdong authorities the 2006 Work Plan for the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan.

Measured in terms of progress of tasks in the Work Plan by end 2006.

Progress
Good progress has been made. A summary of achievements can be found in a press release issued on 18 December 2006.

Targets for 2007
i.	To implement jointly with Guangdong authorities the 2007 Work Plan for the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan.

Measured in terms of progress of tasks in the Work Plan by end 2007.

Remark
Nil.

Long term objective (3) :

Explore with Guangdong authorities the introduction of emissions trading and other measures to improve air quality.

Targets

Measurement
Method / Indicator

Progress (or slippage with reason(s) if applicable) / Remark

Targets in 2006
i.	To work out jointly with Guangdong authorities an Emissions Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants in the Pearl River Delta Region in 2006.

Measured in terms of progress in developing the proposed pilot scheme.

Progress
The implementation framework of the emissions trading pilot scheme was endorsed on 18 December 2006.

Targets for 2007
i.	To set up the Hong Kong-Guangdong Emissions Trading Management Panel to promote the Emission Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants in the Pearl River Delta Region to power plants and seek their participation on a voluntary basis.

Measured in terms of progress in setting up the Management Panel.

Remark
Nil.

VIII – NATURE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION

Long term objective (1) :

Formulate policies and implement measures to regulate, protect and manage natural resources that are important for the conservation of biological diversity of Hong Kong.

Targets

Measurement
Method / Indicator

Progress (or slippage with reason(s) if applicable) / Remark

Targets in 2006
i.	To oversee the implementation of the new nature conservation policy, in particular the pilot scheme on two new conservation measures, viz. management agreements and public-private partnership.

Measured in terms of progress of the programme.

Progress
•	Three pilot management agreement projects were launched in Long Valley and Fung Yuen at the end of 2005. Their progress is satisfactory.

•	An inter-departmental task force was set up to examine the applications received under the Pilot Scheme for Public-Private Partnership.

ii.	To oversee the implementation of the new Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.

Measured in terms of on-going progress review.

The Ordinance has been in smooth operation since its implementation on 1 December 2006.

iii.	To prepare a legislative proposal to extend the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety under the Convention on Biological Diversity of Hong Kong.

Measured in terms of progress of the proposal.

The draft Bill is under preparation.

iv.	To amend the Marine Parks and Marine Reserve Regulation to strengthen the control of vessels and specimen collection activities in marine parks and marine reserves.

Measured in terms of progress of the proposal.

The Amendment came into effect on 18 October 2006.

Targets for 2007
i.	To oversee the implementation of the new nature conservation policy, in particular the pilot scheme on two new conservation measures, viz. management agreements and public-private partnership.

Measured in terms of progress of the programme.

Remark
Nil.

ii.	To amend the Schedule to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, so as to implement the decisions made by the Conference of the Parties.

Measured in terms of progress of the proposal.

iii.	To prepare a legislative proposal to extend the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety under the Convention on Biological Diversity of Hong Kong.

Measured in terms of progress of the proposal.

Long term objective (2) :

Formulate policies and implement measures to promote energy efficiency and conservation.

Targets

Measurement
Method / Indicator

Progress (or slippage with reason(s) if applicable) / Remark

Targets in 2006
i.	To oversee the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programmes.

Measured in terms of progress of the programmes.

Progress
The "Action Blue Sky" Campaign was launched in July 2006 to encourage the public to participate in improving air quality, including conserving energy. A wide range of energy efficiency and conservation initiatives have been implemented, including the voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, the Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme for Buildings, and the Pilot Scheme for Wider Use of Fresh Water in Evaporative Cooling Towers.

ii.	To prepare a legislative proposal on a mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme.

Measured in terms of progress of the proposal.

New legislation is being prepared to implement a mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, which will be introduced into the Legislative Council in the second quarter of 2007.

Targets for 2007
i.	To oversee the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programmes.

ii.	To introduce legislation for a mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme into the Legislative Council.

Measured in terms of progress of the proposal.

Remark
Nil.

Long term objective (3) :

Formulate policies and implement measures to promote the development of renewable energy in Hong Kong.

Targets

Measurement
Method / Indicator

Progress (or slippage with reason(s) if applicable) / Remark

Targets in 2006
i.	To gather the public's views on proposed measures to promote renewable energy, as set out in the Stage II Consultation Paper on Future Development of the Electricity Market in Hong Kong.

Measured in terms of progress of the programme.

Progress
The Stage II Consultation on Future Development of the Electricity Market in Hong Kong was completed in March 2006. Discussions are underway with the two power companies on the post-2008 Scheme of Control Agreements.

Targets for 2007
i.	To discuss with the two power companies the post-2008 Scheme of Control Agreements, in particular to promote the use of renewable energy.

Measured in terms of progress of the programme.

Remark
Nil.