1950s - 1970s
1978
General
- Replaced the 1974 Advisory Committee on Environmental Pollution with an Environmental Protection Advisory Committee supported by three Special Committees: Land and Water, Air and Noise.
Noise
- Enacted the Summary Offences (Night Work) Regulations to provide for the general banning of the use of powered mechanical equipment for works between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and on general holidays.
1977
General
- Established the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), within the Environment Branch (based on ERL's preliminary report), as a small unit responsible for developing policy and formulating legislation on environmental protection.
- Completed ERL study and submission of proposals for noise abatement, waste disposal, water pollution control, air pollution control and environmental impact ordinances.
1976
Noise
- Enacted the Public Health and Urban Services (Minor Amendments) Ordinance to prescribe control of air conditioner noise.
1975
General
- Established the Environment Branch as the policy branch for the land, transport and environmental programme areas.
- Enacted the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution) Ordinance to make oil pollution liability insurance mandatory for all cargo-carrying vessels.
1974
General
- Consolidated Advisory Committees on Land, Water, Air and Noise to form a new more broadly-based committee: the Advisory Committee on Environmental Pollution.
- Commissioned Environmental Resources Ltd. (ERL) to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the growing need for environmental controls in Hong Kong.
Air
- Declared the whole Territory as a smoke control area.
- Enacted the Clean Air (Restriction and Measurement of Smoke) Regulations to impose emission limits on combustion plants.
1973
Noise
- Banned aircraft movements between midnight and 7 a.m.
1972
Noise
- Enacted the Summary Offences (Noise at Hong Kong Airport) (Exemption) Order 1972 to require all aircraft movements and engine run-ups between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. to conform with specified conditions.
- Amended the Summary Offences Ordinance to provide for the control of general noise at night between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and the banning of use of pile-drivers between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on public holidays.
- Enacted the Summary Offences (Night Work) Regulations to restrict works other than piling between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. through a permit system.
1970
Air
- Established Air Pollution Control Unit in Labour Department.
- Required Hok Yuen Power Station to burn low sulphur fuel oil in order to reduce air pollution during adverse meteorological conditions.
1962
Air
- Declared Shatin the first smoke control area.
1959
Air
- Enacted Clean Air Ordinance to control dark smoke emissions from fossil fuel burning installations.