Environment Hong Kong 2006 Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Cross-boundary and International Co-operationChapter 3: Community AwarenessChapter 4: Customer Service and PartnershipChapter 5: Environmental Assessment and Planning
Chapter 6: AirChapter 7: NoiseChapter 8: WasteChapter 9: WaterChapter 10: ConservationChapter 11: Environmental Compliance
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Chapter 2 Cross-boundary and International Co-operation
 
Mission:

To protect the environment and human health by tackling cross boundary pollution problems and by promoting collaborative efforts through regional and international co-operation.
 
Highlights in 2005
  • Established a joint regional air quality monitoring network with Guangdong and started reporting the Regional Air Quality Index on a daily basis.

  • Signed a co-operation arrangement with the State Environmental Protection Administration on air pollution.

  • Participated in environmental protection work under the Pan Pearl River Delta Co-operation.

  • Held a stakeholder consultation workshop on the preparation of the Hong Kong Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

  • Started preparing new legislation to control the import, export, manufacture and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals in Hong Kong.


TACKLING POLLUION across BOUNDARIES

Hong Kong and Guangdong share the same air and water.

Pollution does not respect boundaries. It can drift by air or sea or be imported as waste aboard ships, from one jurisdiction to another. The only way to tackle these problems is through joint efforts in which all parties share responsibility for reducing pollution. Recognising this situation, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has set up a Cross-boundary and International Division to put a sharper focus on our efforts to deal with regional and international pollution issues.

The division was set up on 1 April 2005, when the EPD merged with the environment arm of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau. The merger provided an opportunity to elevate our regional and international efforts by having them spearheaded by a Deputy Director. Cross-boundary co-operation is a major part of our work and the new division will bolster our efforts here. The division will also deal with international conventions to restrict pollution and help to promote the EPD’s work and achievements at international conferences.

Working Together

At the heart of our cross-boundary work is the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection. This high-level group provides a structure for regular co-operation on a range of environmental and sustainability issues, under the co-chairmanship of Hong Kong’s Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works and Guangdong’s Director of Environmental Protection. It was formed in June 2000, following a decade of contacts and co-operation between the two administrations.

The Joint Working Group held its sixth meeting in December 2005 to review progress on a number of co-operative initiatives and discuss the work plan for 2006. Emphasis was placed mainly on air and water pollution, as described below, but other tasks were also discussed. These included the protection of the Dongjiang River’s water quality, afforestation, conservation of marine resources, promotion of energy efficiency and clean production in industries, and the strengthening of technical exchanges and training for officers from both administrations.

The Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection holds its sixth meeting in Guangdong on 20 December 2005.  

Regional Air Pollution

A top priority for both Hong Kong and Guangdong is air pollution. Smog has become a frequent, visible problem, formed when air pollution from across the region mixes under the sun. The best way to solve this problem is through joint action so in 2002 the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments agreed to work together to reduce air pollution. Ambitious targets were set for cutting pollution to well below 1997 levels by 2010. The two governments produced a joint plan of action, released in 2003, that aimed to achieve the targets. So far we have made good progress in getting key initiatives in place.

Individually, each side has taken a number of steps towards meeting their targets. Hong Kong has made considerable progress in reducing street-level pollution through our motor vehicle emissions programme. We have also turned our sights to power plant emissions and volatile organic compounds (see Chapter 6 for details). Guangdong, for its part, is building four large scale natural gas power plants that will start operating in phases from 2006. Flue gas desulphurisation will be installed in all other power plants with a capacity of 125 megawatts or greater by 2007. Low nitrogen oxide burners are also being installed and highly polluting coal-fired boilers and industrial furnaces are being phased out. For vehicles, strict emission standards for new vehicles are being introduced together with low sulphur motor diesel.

Mr K K KWOK, Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment), (front row second right in left photo, and first left in right photo), and members of the Advisory Council on the Environment visit Guangdong to see the operation of the Pearl River Delta regional air quality monitoring network.

The EPD and Guangdong’s Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) are also pursuing co-operative actions to tackle air pollution. They meet formally twice a year and hold frequent working level meetings and site visits, to monitor progress, share expertise and undertake joint initiatives. On November 30, two sides launched a joint regional air quality monitoring network comprising 13 stations in Guangdong and three in Hong Kong. The Regional Air Quality Index for each station is being reported on a daily basis on both the EPD’s and EPB’s web sites. A longer-term report on air quality trends will be published every six months. Another goal for the coming year is to finalise details of a pilot emissions trading scheme for power plants in the region.

The public can view the Regional Air Quality Index for each monitoring station through the Internet. Dr Sarah LIAO, Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (centre left), and Mr ZHU Xingxiang, Director-General of the Department of EIA Management of SEPA (centre right), exchange views on a boat trip.

Apart from working with Guangdong, the EPD also co-operates with its colleagues at the national level in the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA). Regular exchanges and co-operation started in 2004 on environmental impact assessment matters and was extended to air pollution in 2005.

Regional Water Pollution

While Hong Kong and Guangdong share the same airshed, they also share several water bodies, such as the Pearl River estuary, Deep Bay and Mirs Bay. We have an established history of co-operation with Guangdong to improve water quality, particularly in Deep Bay and Mirs Bay. In 2005 the focus was broadened through Hong Kong’s membership of the Pan Pearl River Delta Co-operation.

The Co-operation covers nine Mainland provinces (including Guangdong), Hong Kong and Macao. In 2005 members agreed at their annual meeting to co-operate to control pollution along the length of the Pearl River. The primary goals are to protect water quality at source through sustainable means.

Separately, Hong Kong and Guangdong continued to work on the development of a joint Pearl River Delta Water Quality Model in 2005. This has a more specific downstream focus and aims to provide a reliable analytical tool for devising solutions to control water pollution in the Pearl River Delta region. The model should be completed in 2006. We are also collaborating with the Shenzhen authorities to investigate additional measures and further joint actions for controlling water pollution in Deep Bay.

A joint Pearl River Delta Water Quality Model is being developed. Mr Edmond HO, Principal Environmental Protection Officer, presents a paper at the Pan Pearl River Delta Water Environment Protection Forum in Guangzhou in September 2005.

The EPD’s efforts to reduce trans-boundary pollution reflect the idea that environmental protection is a shared responsibility. This applies to our international efforts, too, as described in the boxes. Collaboration at a regional and international level is essential for combating those forms of pollution that cross boundaries. Governments everywhere are recognising that fact, as reflected by the growing number of international conventions, agreements and conferences. The result will be a healthier environment for everyone.

Dr Michael CHIU, Acting Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment) (1st row, third from right) and Mr Esmond LEE, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (1st row, second from left), attend the 2nd Joint Conference on Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Environmental Protection Co-operation in Chengdu in July 2005.

INTERNATIONAL C0-OPERATION: Global Warming

The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change came into effect in February 2005, in which a large number of developed countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent by 2012. China, and by extension Hong Kong, is a developing country and not required to meet this deadline. Nonetheless, as a member of the international community, the Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to trying to reduce our emissions. We have placed a cap on power plant emissions to address regional air pollution, which will also reduce greenhouse gases. We are also working with the State Environmental Protection Administration on procedures for pursuing projects under the "clean development mechanism" in Hong Kong.

INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION: Hazardous Chemicals

EPD holds a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on the preparation of the Hong Kong Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on 18 November 2005.

The dramatic growth in chemical production and trade during the past three decades has highlighted the potential risks posed by hazardous chemicals (including pesticides) to human health and the environment. Recognising this fact, a number of international conventions have been adopted in recent years to deal with the global issue of hazardous chemicals.

The Stockholm Convention aims to control potentially harmful persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It came into effect in China, and by extension Hong Kong, in November 2004. Since then the Hong Kong SAR Government has been developing a Hong Kong Implementation Plan for incorporation into the national implementation plan of the People’s Republic of China, which will be submitted to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention in November 2006. Stakeholder consultation is an important part of this process. In Hong Kong, a stakeholder consultation workshop was convened in November 2005, led by the EPD, to seek views on POPs-related issues in Hong Kong. Our implementation plan will take into account stakeholders’ opinions and suggestions.

A second recent convention, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, became applicable to China in June 2005, but is not yet applicable to Hong Kong. To prepare for its implementation, as well as fulfil the requirements of the Stockholm Convention, the EPD is preparing new legislation to control the import, export, manufacture and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals in Hong Kong. We aim to submit this legislation to the Legislative Council in 2006.

Mr Esmond LEE, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (centre left), meets Mr YUE Ruisheng, Deputy Director General of SEPA (centre right) and Mr MENG Jianhong, Second Secretary of Ministry of the Foreign Affairs (third from right), in Beijing in September 2005 to discuss the preparation of the draft Hong Kong Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention.

LOOKING AHEAD

  • Introduce an emissions trading pilot scheme for thermal power plants in the Pearl River Delta region.

  • Complete the Pearl River Delta Water Quality Model and initiate discussion with Guangdong authorities on the development of a regional water quality management plan for the Pearl River Delta.

  • Submit the Hong Kong Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to the Central People’s Government.

  • Introduce the Hazardous Chemicals Control Bill into the Legislative Council.

The Pan Pearl River Delta region

 

 




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