In 2001 Hong Kong made solid progress in improving air and water quality and in reducing waste.

Two years ago we formulated a comprehensive action plan to bring down the levels of particulate and nitrogen oxide by tackling harmful emissions from diesel vehicles. By the end of the year under review, we have replaced 80% of our diesel taxis with vehicles run on liquefied petroleum gas and installed particulate reduction devices in many of our pre-Euro light diesel vehicles. Ultra low sulphur diesel has become the only motor diesel available in the Special Administrative Region. Through these measures we were able to achieve nearly 70% of the targets set out in the 1999-2000 action plan. We are pressing ahead with a replacement scheme for diesel light buses and the installation of particulate reduction devices in pre-Euro heavy diesel vehicles. Furthermore, we hope to reach an agreement with the Guangdong Provincial Government very soon on a plan to improve air quality in the Pearl River Delta Region.

During the year the Environmental Protection Department launched a community education programme to promote the separation and recycling of domestic waste. It is bearing fruit. The first five months of the programme saw an increase of 4% in the quantity of recyclable waste collected. To facilitate the development of the recycling industry, we plan to establish a waste recovery park by 2004. We see signs of improvement in the water quality of Victoria Harbour following the full commissioning of Stage 1 of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme.

These efforts would not have been possible without the whole-hearted support of stakeholders and the wider community, the dedication and hard work of colleagues in the Environmental Protection Department, and the cooperation of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Drainage Services Department. I am confident that in the years to come my colleagues would show the same commitment in combating air and water pollution, in reducing waste and in finding solutions for disposing of the large volumes of solid waste that cannot be recycled.

I will be retiring from the civil service at the end of June 2002. As this report goes to press, the Special Administrative Region is poised to restructure the senior levels of government. I very much hope that my successor would continue to accord top priority to the important area of environmental protection in his policy agenda.



Lily Yam
Secretary for the Environment and Food

 

Lily Yam
Secretary for the Environment and Food