2014
Air
- Implemented new Air Quality Objectives from January 1, 2014.
- On reducing air pollution from existing vehicles, launched an $11.4 billion ex-gratia payment scheme to progressively phase out pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles and completed a one-off $150 million subsidy programme to replace the emission control devices on about 17,000 petrol and liquefied petroleum gas taxis and light buses.
- On alternative vehicles, added 100 medium chargers for electric vehicles in Government car parks to reduce the charging time, and supported the trial of hybrid buses by the franchised bus companies.
- On marine air pollution, introduced a new regulation to cap the sulphur content of locally- supplied marine light diesel at 0.05 per cent.
- Regionally, signed the “Cooperation Agreement on Regional Air Pollution Control and Prevention among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao”. Macao has become part of the now-renamed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao PRD Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network, and the three sides agreed to launch the 30-month “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Regional PM2.5 Study”.
Energy
- Conducted a three-month public consultation on the future fuel mix for electricity generation in Hong Kong.
- Signed up a record number of participants to the Energy Saving Charter on Indoor Temperature.
Waste
- Received the report from the Council for Sustainable Development on recommendations on implementing municipal solid waste (MSW) charging in Hong Kong, and tested quantity- based MSW charging in several local housing estates.
- On food waste, unveiled the “Food Waste and Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022”, continued the Food Wise Hong Kong campaign, and made food waste the focus of the World Environment Day campaign “Eat Wise, Waste Less”.
- On the collection of recyclables, expanded the glass container collection network and collected more than 7,700 items of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) under the Schools WEEE Recycling Programme.
- On producer responsibility schemes (PRSs), secured the passage of a legislation to enable the plastic shopping bag charging scheme to be implemented in all retail outlets from April 2015, and made preparations for the introduction of mandatory PRSs for WEEE and glass beverage containers.
- On waste facilities, substantially completed construction of the Sludge Treatment Facility Phase 1 and received Legislative Council (LegCo) funding approval for the Organic Waste Treatment Facility (OWTF) Phase 1. Funding approval was also received to implement the Southeast New Territories Landfill Extension and Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension projects, and to commission an investigation study of the West New Territories Landfill Extension project.
- Implemented a scheme to provide a one-off subsidy for improvements to private refuse collection vehicles to ensure more hygienic transportation of waste.
Cross Boundary and International Co-operation
- Organised a climate change adaptation workshop for officials from Hong Kong and Guangdong.
Water
- Completed a joint study to assess the pollution load carrying capacity of the Pearl River Estuary, which will provide a scientific basis for future water quality management.
- Completed construction of a 21-kilometre tunnel network connecting the north and southwest of Hong Kong Island to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works, thus bringing the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2A closer to completion.
Nature Conservation
- Sought stakeholder input to the drafting of the first Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Hong Kong