2012
Community Awareness
- Held the 2011 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) Awards Presentation Ceremony cum 2012 HKAEE Launching Ceremony with the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC)..
- Jointly organised the “Green Living Collage Competition" and "Green Living Digital Drawing Competition" for the ECC MTR Environmental Award for Schools 2012 with the ECC and the MTR Corporation.
- Organised a series of events for World Environment Day which included a household engagement campaign entitled “Green Home Action”, roving exhibitions on the 3R principles and the publication of the “Green Living Green Cooking” cookbook for foreign domestic helpers.
- Saw the ECC introduce new glass bottle recycling bins under the Promotion Programme on Source Separation of Waste.
Environmental Compliance
- Fully implemented a regulation to control the volatile organic compounds content in architectural paints, vessel paints, pleasure craft paints, vehicle refinishing paints, printing inks, selected consumer products, adhesives and sealants.
Air
- Announced the Government would adopt proposed new Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) together with a package of air quality improvement measures to better protect public health. Legislation will be introduced to implement the new AQOs.
- Commenced regular, real-time reporting of the hourly concentration of fine suspended particulates (known as PM2.5) as measured by the air quality monitoring network.
- Set up the Working Group on Upgrading the Quality of Marine Light Diesel to study tightening the fuel sulphur content from 0.5% to 0.05% for marine light diesel supplied locally. Members include representatives of EPD, the Marine Department, Transport Department and local vessel operators and a non-Government expert on marine engineering.
- Launched a three-year Incentive Scheme to encourage ocean-going vessels to switch to cleaner fuel when berthing in Hong Kong waters. The scheme allows for a 50 per cent reduction in port facilities and light dues.
- Tightened emission standards for newly registered vehicles from Euro IV to Euro V.
- Released the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Report for 2011 and for the first half of 2012.
- Issued the "Third Technical Memorandum for Allocation of Emission Allowances in Respect of Specified Licences" to further tighten the emission caps of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and respirable suspended particulates of the power sector from 2017.
Noise
- Consulted stakeholders on the refinement of the administrative Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment scheme to enhance and promote the use of quieter and more environmentally friendly construction equipment.
Energy
- Commenced full operation of the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (Cap.610).
- Announced the outcome of a public consultation on a proposal to restrict the sale of energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs, and the proposed way forward.
Environmental Assessment & Planning
- Approved the environmental impact assessment report of the Integrated Waste Management Facility and gained town planning approval for the proposed Outline Zoning Plan of the Shek Kwu Chau site.
Waste
- Launched the Community Participation Programme in Environmental Protection in collaboration with all 18 District Councils.
- Completed a public consultation on municipal solid waste (MSW) charging to engage the community and relevant stakeholders on the pertinent issues and explore appropriate solutions.
- Invited tenderers interested in designing, building and operating the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Treatment Facility to apply for prequalification.
- Awarded one of the Phase 2 lots in EcoPark to a food waste recycler.
- Awarded the West Kowloon Transfer Station Follow-on Contract.
- Awarded the Island West and Island East Transfer Stations Follow-on Contract.
- Enlisted 1,940 housing estates/residential buildings and 804 commercial & industrial buildings to join the Programme on Source Separation of Waste. The Programme now covers more than 80 per cent of the Hong Kong's population.
Customer Service and Partnership
- Facilitated the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education to develop the Environmental Management Course for Construction Managers, which is recognised by the Development Bureau.
- Produced “Guidelines on Air Pollution Control for Joss Paper Burning at Chinese Temples, Crematoria and Similar Places” and organised a seminar to encourage the trade to adopt the best available technology for air pollution control.
- Co-organised the annual Safety, Health and Environmental Seminar to promote green construction technology to the construction industry, with CLP Power, the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Highways Department.
- Engaged in the Development Bureau's annual Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme to audit participating contractors' environmental performance, and served on the assessment panel for its Outstanding Environmental Management and Performance Award.
- Co-organised with the Hong Kong Construction Association a seminar on environmental law and ISO 14001, to facilitate a proposal that contractors under the Government's List of Approved Contractors for Public Works be required to obtain ISO 14001 Certification.
- In collaboration with two SME vehicle repair trade associations and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, organised an Environmental Seminar for Environmental Ambassadors, trade practitioners and other stakeholders to share knowledge on vehicle repair, design, and environmental protection.
- Collaborated with Wong Tai Sin and Kowloon City District Councils to conduct environmental building audits under the Quality Building Management Competitions.
Cross Boundary and International Co-operation
- Sent a delegation of representatives from Hong Kong's green industry to Europe, led by the Secretary for the Environment, to promote the market for green technological and innovative solutions in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region.
- Jointly announced with Guangdong and Macau the Regional Cooperation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area.
- Set up a “Hong Kong Pavilion” at the 2nd International (Guangdong) Energy Conservation Expo held in Guangzhou, to support Hong Kong's environmental service sector and showcase the environmental technologies and services of Hong Kong.
- Co-organised the 7th Eco Expo Asia to promote the development of the environmental industry and a low carbon economy in the region, and set up a “Hong Kong Pavilion” to support Hong Kong's environmental service sector and showcase the environmental technologies and services of Hong Kong.
- Concluded that Hong Kong had met the 2010 air pollution emission reduction targets jointly set with Guangdong in 2002, and agreed with the Guangdong Provincial Government on new emission reduction targets for four pollutants for 2015 and emission reduction target ranges for 2020.
- Awarded “Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partner” commendations to the 4th batch of Hong Kong enterprises, to recognise their efforts in pursuing cleaner production.
Sustainable Development
- Received a report and recommendations from the Council for Sustainable Development on the public engagement on “Combating Climate Change: Energy Saving and Carbon Emission Reduction in Buildings”.
- Launched the 10th round of applications under the Sustainable Development Fund.