Milestones in Hong Kong Environmental Protection - 2010

2010

Community Awareness

  • Continued to promote the “I Love Hong Kong I Love Green” Campaign with two new Announcement of Public Interest focusing on combating climate change and low carbon living.
  • Jointly organised a 'Global Warming and Climate Variation' Seminar Series under the Combating Climate Change Campaign, with the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC), the Polar Museum Foundation, the Hong Kong Observatory and the Hong Kong Science Museum.
  • Commemorated World Environment Day with a Global Warming and Climate Variation Seminar, co-organised with the ECC, the Polar Museum Foundation, the Hong Kong Observatory and the Hong Kong Science Museum, and the release of a set of DVDs for students that vividly illustrates the disastrous effects of global warming.
  • Launched the Climate FootPRINT Book Series with the ECC and the Climate Group (Hong Kong). The series is targeted at the general public and includes four publications on the themes of New Green Generation, Low Carbon Economy, Environmentally Friendly Households and Green City Life.

 

Air

  • Submitted the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill to the Legislative Council for scrutiny, with a view to introducing a statutory requirement for drivers to switch off engines while their vehicles are stationary.
  • Amended the Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) Regulation to tighten the motor vehicle fuel standards to Euro V levels.
  • Implemented the regulatory control of specifications and labelling requirements on motor vehicle biodiesel as set out in the Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) Regulation.
  • Launched an Incentive Scheme to encourage vehicle owners to replace their Euro II diesel commercial vehicles with newer, less polluting commercial vehicles.
  • Completed a trial of local ferries using ultra low sulphur diesel.
  • Completed a stakeholder consultation on a proposal to control emissions from non-road mobile sources.
  • Further tightened emission caps for the power sector through the promulgation of the Second Technical Memorandum (TM), which sets caps 34 per cent-50 per cent below those of the First TM levels, with effect from 2015.
  • Renewed the specified process licence of Lamma Power Station and continued to impose emission caps according to the TM.

 

Energy

  • Introduced the second phase of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, which will be fully implemented in September 2011 after an 18-month grace period. The scheme covers room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances, compact fluorescent lamps, washing machines and dehumidifiers. All these prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong are required to bear labels stating their energy efficiency performance.
  • Enacted the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance, which mandates the compliance with codes of practice promulgated by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department concerning the energy efficiency of four types of buildings services installations and energy audits. Those installations are air-conditioning, electrical, lifts and escalators and lighting installations. The Ordinance is expected to result in energy savings of 2.8 billion kWh in its first decade for new buildings.


Environmental Assessment & Planning

  • Approved an EIA report on Organic Waste Treatment Facilities, Phase I.
  • Approved an EIA report on Black Point Gas Supply Project.
  • Approved an EIA report on Development of a 100MW Offshore Wind Farm in Hong Kong.
  • Approved an EIA report on South Island Line (East).


Waste

  • Held a public consultation on introducing a new producer responsibility scheme (PRS) for the proper management of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
  • Organised a workshop on the management of mooncake packaging to share the latest developments in green packaging and printing with the trade and promote good practices.
  • Saw the Legislative Council approve the Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste) (General) Regulation and the Waste Disposal (Charge for Disposal of Clinical Waste) Regulation to tighten control on clinical waste and enable charges to be introduced for clinical waste disposal at waste management facilities.
  • Reached the target of 80 per cent population coverage for the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste, as laid out in the Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014). 1 637 housing estates / residential buildings and 700 rural villages are enrolled in the Programme.
  • Opened a public recreation park on the restored Jordan Valley Landfill. The Jordan Valley Park features a radio-controlled model car racing circuit, horticultural centre, community garden, children's play area, elderly exercise corner and jogging track.
  • Fully commissioned a public recreation park on the restored Ngau Chi Wan Landfill (its first phase was opened in August 2009). The Ngau Chi Wan Park provides an archery field, jogging track, elderly fitness corners, children's play areas and basketball court.
  • Signed a “design, build and operate” contract for a Sludge Treatment Facility which will adopt state-of-the-art thermal incineration technology and have a design capacity of 2 000 tonnes per day.

Water

  • Commenced operation of the Advance Disinfection Facilities at Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works, under the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) Stage 2A.
  • Saw a further $7.9 billion approved for upgrading Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works and eight associated preliminary treatment works on Hong Kong Island, under HATS Stage 2A. Total funding for the project has reached $17.2 billion.
  • Began a study to review HATS Stage 2B.


Customer Service and Partnership

  • Collaborated with the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education to develop an environmental training course for Environmental Officers (EO) working at construction sites.
  • Organised a workshop for leaders and pioneers of various trades to share their experiences and practices in greening their businesses, under the Environmental Compliance Promotion Programme. Since the Programme's implementation in April 2009, nine seminars and workshops have been organised.
  • Implemented the amended Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation to extend the control of VOC content to paints/coatings for vehicle refinishes, vessels and pleasure crafts, as well as adhesives and sealants in phases.
  • Collaborated with community organisations in Tsuen Wan District to organise an environmental restaurant workshop to promote environmental compliance and address environmental concerns.
  • Collaborated with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to develop an environmental training course for Environmental Officers (EO) working at construction sites.
  • Collaborated with the Quality Tourism Services Association & Association for HK Catering Services Management to organise the “Green Restaurants & Retailers Seminar”. The seminar promoted environmental compliance and legislative requirements for the restaurant trade and retail sector.
  • Facilitated the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades and Hong Kong Productivity Council to implement the “Quality Restaurant Environmental Management Scheme”, and joined the Steering Committee which provides technical advice and support to restaurants. The Scheme is funded under the Environment & Conservation Fund.
  • Collaborated with two SME vehicle repair trade associations and the Hong Kong Productivity Council to organise an Environmental Seminar for Environmental Ambassadors, trade practitioners and other stakeholders to share knowledge on vehicle repair, design and environmental legislation.
  • Shared Hong Kong's experience in pollution control enforcement with two delegations from the Bureau of Environmental Supervision, under a training programme led by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China.


Cross Boundary and International Co-operation

  • Widened coverage of the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme to also provide professional advice and technical support in the treatment and reduction of effluent discharges from Hong Kong-owned factories in the PRD region.
  • Hosted the C40 Hong Kong Workshop on Low Carbon Cities for High Quality Living.
  • Awarded "Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partner" commendations to a second batch of Hong Kong enterprises, to recognise their efforts in pursuing cleaner production.
  • Co-organised the EcoExpo Asia in Hong Kong with the Trade Development Council.
  • Completed a public consultation on “Hong Kong's climate change strategy and action agenda.”


Nature Conservation

  • Saw the Legislative Council pass the Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Ordinance and its subsidiary regulation, which together control the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment and give effect to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The legislation will come into effect on 1 March 2011.


Sustainable Development

  • Saw the Council for Sustainable Development hold Community Outreach Programme in Tsuen Wan.
  • Saw the Council for Sustainable Development hold the “Sustainable Business for Our Future” Conference.
  • Saw the Council for Sustainable Development submit its Report on the Public Engagement Process on Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment to the Government, together with its recommendations.
  • Saw the Council for Sustainable Development approve a total of $5.4 million in grants for five projects in the seventh round of applications under the Sustainable Development Fund.
  • Saw the Council for Sustainable Development launch the eighth round of applications under the Sustainable Development Fund.
  • Saw the Government release its response to the Council for Sustainable Development's Report on the Public Engagement Process on Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment.
  • Saw the Council for Sustainable Development decide to embark on a new round of public engagement on climate change-related issues in 2011-2012.