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Letter to the Editor of International Herald Tribune dated 13 October 2006 - Response to the report entitled "Something in Hong Kong's Air"
I refer to your report, 'Something in Hong Kong's Air' (October 13).
Far from missing an opportunity to lay out a plan for dealing with local air pollution, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to tackle such problems using a 'carrot and stick' approach to encourage good practices and to deter polluters.
We adopt forward looking policies to set clear targets and milestones for pollution control. Since 1997 only natural gas fueled power plants are allowed to be built and emission caps have been imposed on power generation since 2005 to reduce emission from the major pollution source of HK. Vehicular pollution is dealt with by a rigorous public transport policy which enables 95% of the traveling public to use the efficient public transport system. Emission standards of vehicles follow closely the EURO standard and the 2006 standard is EURO IV. We also strive to adopt the polluter pays principle to provide incentive to people to pollute less. Where necessary, we will resort to legislative options which contains punitive measures of fines and imprisonment.
For the more immediate measures, the Chief Executive announced last week in his Policy Address a major plan costing HK$3.2 billion to subsidise some 74,000 owners of commercial diesel vehicles to replace their pre Euro or Euro I models. For private car owners, a maximum of HK$50,000 concession for First Registration Tax will be offered to lure those who want to choose an environmentally friendly model.
Apart from our efforts to reduce local emissions, our government has been working closely with Guangdong Province to our north. Together we have a commitment to implement a list of solid measures to cut emissions of four major air pollutants - sulphur dioxide , nitrogen oxides, respirable suspended particulates and Volatile Organic Compounds - by 40%, 20%,55% and 55% respectively by 2010. In order to monitor the air quality in the Pearl River Delta region, we have jointly established a state-of-the art monitoring network consisting of 16 stations where the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Index, an objective indicator of air quality in the region, can be accessed by the public online.
Our community is aware of the problems we face and are anxious to find solutions. We have enlisted the support of many schools and business groups to take part in the Action Blue Sky campaign, challenging our community to adopt environmental stewardship at all levels. Together we have planted 7.3 million trees in the past 3 years and the effort will continue.
As is the case in any modern metropolis, combating environmental pollution resulting from economic activities is a long-term and complex undertaking, requiring effective strategies, perseverance and public support - all of which we have in Hong Kong.
Dr Sarah Liao
Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
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