2000-2007 2007 General - Saw the formation of the Environment Bureau arising from the re-organisation of the Government Secretariat on 1 July 2007.   Community Awareness - Broadcast a one-hour TV show on World Environment Day 2007. The programme featured a "Cool Biz Fashion Show" to promote energy conservation and dressing-down at work. - Launched the "I Love Hong Kong! I Love Green!" Campaign to encourage the public to switch to a greener lifestyle.   Air - Released a report on the monitoring results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network for 2006. - Launched a tax incentive scheme for environment-friendly petrol private cars. - Launched an incentive scheme to replace pre-Euro and Euro I diesel commercial vehicles with new commercial vehicles compliant with the prevailing statutory emission standards. - Commissioned a consultancy study to review the Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) for Hong Kong and to develop a long-term air quality management strategy to meet new AQOs. - Renewed the Specified Process licence for the Castle Peak Power Station, with emission caps progressively tightening up to ensure timely compliance with Hong Kong's 2010 emission reduction targets. - Released a report on the monitoring results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network for the first half of 2007. - Organised the ninth Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Technical Seminar in Hong Kong. - Launched a consultation to ban vehicles from running their engines during idling. - Provided a concessionary duty rate of $0.56 per litre for Euro V diesel for two years. - Renewed the Specified Process licence for the Black Point Power Station, incorporating a new emission offsetting arrangement to provide for more emission reduction from more gas burning. - Consulted the Legislative Council's Panel on Environmental Affairs on a proposal for mandating the use of ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) or cleaner diesel fuel in industrial and commercial processes.   Energy - Introduced the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Bill into the Legislative Council. - Launched a public consultation on the proposed mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes.   Noise - Consulted stakeholders on expanding the coverage of Designated Areas under the NCO to better protect the local community against construction noise. - Issued guidelines on driving habits and maintenance practices that reduce road traffic noise. The guidelines are for drivers, vehicle owners and vehicle repair technicians.   Waste - Commenced the EIA study for the West New Territories Landfill Extension project. - Commenced landfill gas export under the off-site landfill gas utilisation scheme for the North East New Territories Landfill. - Awarded the first batch of tenancies in EcoPark. - Conducted a two-month public consultation on a proposed environmental levy on plastic shopping bags. The proposal received overwhelming public support. - Held a Forum on Source Separation of Waste cum Award Presentation Ceremony. - Reached consensus with the computer trade to launch a voluntary recycling programme for computer equipment.  - Commenced the EIA study for the Sludge Treatment Facilities. - Launched the Waste Reduction Web and Hong Kong Second-hand Exchange. - Released the Guideline on How to Promote Green Lunch in Schools. - Launched the Programme for Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste. - Completed the EIA study for the North East New Territories Landfill Extension project. - Commenced revised charges prescribed in Schedules 1 and 2 to the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Chemical Waste) Regulation (Cap.354J). - Reached consensus with the lighting trade to launch a voluntary recycling programme for fluorescent lamps. - Gazetted the "Product Eco-responsibility Bill". The Bill would provide a legal framework for implementing producer responsibility schemes in Hong Kong, with the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags as the first scheme under the Bill. - Enlisted 766 housing estates/residential buildings to join the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste.   Water - Saw the Legislative Council agree to implement a ten-year plan to increase the sewage charge, with a view to applying the polluter pays principle to the provision of sewage services. The first annual increment will take effect on 1 April 2008. - Promulgated new standards, "Risk-Based Remediation Goals", for use in contaminated land assessment and remediation in Hong Kong. - Commenced planning and design work to upgrade Stonecutters Island sewage treatment works and preliminary treatment works under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. - Obtained approval of the EIA report for the construction and operation of Advanced Disinfection Facilities at Stonecutters Island sewage treatment works. - Saw the Public Works Sub-Committee of the Legislative Council agree to the funding of the Advanced Disinfection Facilities at Stonecutters Island sewage treatment works.   Environmental Assessment & Planning - Saw the release of the first 3-D EIA visualisation tool for public access through the internet, during the statutory public inspection period of a project EIA report. - Assisted Planning Department in completing the strategic environmental assessment study for the Hong Kong 2030 Planning Vision and Strategy.    Customer Service and Partnership - Participated in the launching ceremony of the SME Development Fund Project on Cooking Fume Control for the Restaurant & Catering Trades in Hong Kong, organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades. - Collaborated with the Airport Authority to organise the 2007 Airport Environmental Best Practice – Air Quality Management Competition at the Hong Kong International Airport. - Organised a ceremony to mark the appointment of Environmental Ambassadors of the Vehicle Repair Trade for a new tenure. - Organised an environmental seminar on recent challenges related to the vehicle repair trade with the support of the Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee) and two SME vehicle repair trade associations. - Collaborated with the Development Bureau to develop technical specifications for the use of dust proof mechanical truck covers in local settings.   - Launched an "Environmental Guide for Smart Business" to facilitate environmental compliance by local trades and industry, and organised promotional seminars to publicise the Guide.  - Collaborated with the Hong Kong Construction Association to launch their first "Innovative Environmental Award" for the construction industry, to encourage the trade to develop creative solutions to overcome special environmental challenges.   Environmental Compliance - Implemented the Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation which provides control on VOC content of architectural paints/coatings, printing inks and selected consumer products in phases, as well as requires reduction devices to be installed on certain printing machines. - Brought into operation provisions under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Amendment) 2006 to facilitate the issuance of waste collection and disposal licences and to strengthen enforcement.   Cross Boundary and International Co-operation  - Announced the implementation framework of the Emissions Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants in the Pearl River Delta Region. - Introduced the HKSAR Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention at a ceremony to launch China's National Implementation Plan for the Convention which officially kick-started the Convention implementation phase in the Mainland and the HKSAR. - Promulgated the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance. - Signed an Agreement on Co-operation to Promote Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Production and Comprehensive Utilisation of Resources to Enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong between the Environment Bureau of the HKSAR and the Economic & Trade Commission of Guangdong Province.  - Adopted the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Leaders' Declaration on "Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development", which was announced at the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Sydney. - Established an Inter-departmental Working Group on Climate Change to strengthen the co-ordination of efforts to tackle climate change among the relevant bureaux and departments.  - Joined the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group to work closely with the participating cities to combat climate change. - Signed an Agreement on Enhancing Co-operation on Environmental Protection between the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR and the Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau. - Completed the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan Mid-term Review. - Completed the Cleaner Production Technical Support Pilot Project to promote cleaner production technologies to Hong Kong-owned factories in the Pearl River Delta region.   Nature Conservation - Reviewed the pilot scheme for Management Agreements for implementing the new nature conservation policy and obtained the support of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee to continue funding the scheme.          Sustainable Development - Saw the Council for Sustainable Development launch the engagement process on Better Air Quality, in which the community is invited to give views on actions during high air pollution days, electronic road pricing and demand side management. - Saw the Council for Sustainable Development organise an Air Summit to feed back the results of the engagement process on Better Air Quality to stakeholders and consolidate the responses to its findings.     2006 Community Awareness - Adopted the theme "Be Responsible for Our Environment, I Can and So Can You" for World Environment Day 2006 to educate the public on their responsibility to reduce waste. - Launched the Action Blue Sky Campaign to encourage public participation in improving air quality in Hong Kong.   Air - Implemented Euro IV emission standards for newly registered vehicles not more than 2.5 tonnes. - Saw Hong Kong's first wind power station begin commercial operation. - Implemented the Air Pollution Control (Emission Reduction Devices for Vehicles)(Amendment) Regulation 2005 which requires all pre-Euro diesel vehicles, except long idling ones, to be installed with approved emission reduction devices. - Announced that in early 2007 an 18-month comprehensive study would be commissioned to review Hong Kong's Air Quality Objectives (AQO) and develop a long-term air quality management strategy. - Obtained agreement in principle from the Central People's Government to extend the Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to Hong Kong. - Implemented Euro IV emission standards for newly registered vehicles more than 3.5 tonnes.   Noise - Released A Draft Comprehensive Plan to Tackle Road Traffic Noise in Hong Kong for public consultation.   Waste - Started charging for disposal of construction waste. - Invited Expressions of Interest for establishing environmental and recycling businesses in the EcoPark. - Launched the first "No Plastic Bag Day" on April 15. Riding on the success, major green groups continued to organise monthly "No Plastic Bag Days" between June and December with the support of the EPD. Ten major retail chains, including the three largest supermarket chains, agreed to continue the campaign in 2007 on a self-supporting basis. - Enacted the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Ordinance 2006 to tighten control on the disposal of imported waste, and to provide legal back up for the Basel Ban on the import of hazardous waste from developed countries. - Shipped the first batch of rechargeable batteries (13 tonnes) collected under the "Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme", to a recycling facility in South Korea. - Organised a forum for the property management sector to share successful experiences on source separation of domestic waste in housing estates, and issued the "Guidebook on Source Separation of Waste in Residential Buildings". - Started construction of EcoPark Phase I. - Awarded a contract for the provision of management services for EcoPark. - Launched a three-month Trial Scheme on Municipal Solid Waste Charging at 20 housing estates to examine the feasibility of introducing a variable rate charging scheme for municipal solid waste. - Substantially completed a consultation with stakeholders on a new set of risk-based land contamination standards for Hong Kong. - Saw the Environment and Conservation Fund agree to allocate $10 million for a public education programme under "A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)". - Started the tender invitation for tenancies of the first batch of Phase I lots in EcoPark for recycling designated materials. - Enlisted 497 housing estates/residential buildings (reaching some two million people) to join the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste.   Water - Commenced planning, investigation and design work for the tunnel system for the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A. - Commissioned an advanced treatment plant for a demonstration scheme on reclaimed water uses in North District and started supplying reclaimed water to selected users. - Issued a Guidance Note on "Implementation of the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972". - Announced a proposal to increase sewage charges under the polluter pays principle, to provide sustainable financial support for the operation of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A and other sewerage facilities.   Environmental Assessment & Planning - Issued a circular memorandum to implement a policy commitment in the Chief Executive's 2005-06 Policy Address to subject all new major government policies to environmental protection scrutiny. The circular stipulates the guidelines and procedures that all bureaux/departments should observe when formulating policy proposals with potential environmental implications. - Saw the release of the first 3-D EIA for a major development project to facilitate public consultation.   Customer Service and Partnership - In collaboration with the Vocational Training Council, organised a series of workshops on the application of environmental spray guns with enhanced paint transfer efficiency for the vehicle repair trade. - Collaborated with the Airport Authority to organise the 2005/06 Airport Environmental Best Practice – Green Restaurant Competition at the Hong Kong International Airport. - Issued an educational CD-ROM for the restaurant trade to promote awareness of environmental legislative and licensing requirements, and practical measures on green management. - Saw the commissioning of an SME Development Fund Project for Mitigation and Control of Cooking Fume Emissions from the Restaurant Trade, which arose from partnership efforts with the restaurant trade associations and related stakeholders. - Opened a dedicated one-stop assistance centre, the Compliance Assistance Centre on 28/F, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, where businesses can obtain updated information and advice on environmental compliance, pollution prevention and environmental management. - Launched a new Property Management Partnership Web site. - Released an information leaflet on "Smart Environmental Tips for the Vehicle Repair Workshops Trade" to promote good environmental practices.     Environmental Compliance - Banned backyard poultry farming in Prohibition and Restriction Areas pursuant to the amendment to the Waste Disposal Ordinance, and the Public Health (Animals and Birds)(Licensing of Livestock Keeping) Regulation. - Launched a training course for construction site environmental officers, which was jointly developed by the EPD, Hong Kong Construction Association and Construction Industry Training Authority.