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Press Release
Government response to Report on Better Air Quality Engagement Process
The Government today (October 15) released its response to the Council for Sustainable Development's Report on Better Air Quality Engagement Process.
"We are thankful to the council for its effort to improve Hong Kong's air quality through conducting the public engagement process and putting together this detailed report. The council's analysis and recommendations will serve as useful references for the formulation of further proposals to reduce emissions," a government spokesman said.
"We fully agree with the council that a holistic and comprehensive approach is required to combat air pollution. To this end, we are reviewing Hong Kong's Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) in light of the latest Air Quality Guidelines released by the World Health Organisation, as well as the new scientific evidence and data on the health effects of air pollution. We will tap into the council's recommendations when developing a long-term air quality management strategy to achieve the proposed AQOs. Our aim is to complete the study by the end of this year.
"Regarding the council's specific recommendations, the Government has already taken many of them on board. In particular, we are reviewing the Air Pollution Index System to provide more timely advice to the community on the effect of air pollution on public health. The study will look into the need to have different objectives for roadside air quality as well."
"The Government is also taking action to further reduce vehicular emissions at source, such as making preparation to ban idling vehicles and extending the application deadline for the one-off grant scheme to assist owners of old diesel commercial vehicles replace their vehicles with cleaner ones. Actions are also in hand to further control emissions from other sources. For example, we are studying the technical feasibility of local ferries using ultra-low sulphur diesel. We are also developing plans to extend the control over the content of volatile organic compounds in selected products," the spokesman said.
"At the same time, to enhance energy efficiency and conservation, we are planning for the coverage of the second phase of the mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, and working on the proposal to introduce mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes for certain new and existing buildings.
"The Government will continue to collaborate with the Guangdong authorities to control cross-boundary air pollution. The two sides will initiate discussion about the post-2010 emission reduction arrangements, including the future emission reduction targets," the spokesman said.
The council conducted a public engagement process on air quality from June to October 2007, and submitted a report with recommendations on the way forward to the Government in February 2008.
The Government's response can be downloaded at http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/news_events/other/BAQ.html.
Ends/Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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