DEPTH AND BREADTH IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Hong Kong's small but complex environment – where dense concrete streets are just a short drive away from country parkland and marine waters, and land is at a premium – contains many challenges. Environmental protection programmes have to address urban and regional pollution, nature conservancy, and climate change, and also prevent new problems from arising, all within a geographical area of 1,100 square kilometres. The Government has a full slate of programmes to address these issues and in 2012 we continued to edge forward towards our vision of a quality, sustainable living environment.

IMPROVING THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Two issues loom largest for Hong Kong given their urgency and nature. Waste management is a critical problem because Hong Kong will run out of landfill space by 2019, while air pollution remains of high concern to the community. In 2012 complaints about air pollution rose 30 per cent over 2011. This was not a reflection of pollution levels, rather of the surrounding debate and discussion about this problem. The reaction to air pollution is a good illustration of the strong desire within the community for a better environment, but also the need to improve understanding, not just on air pollution but all issues. Our progress can get overlooked and yet, as our 2012 record shows, the Environment Bureau (ENB) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have been working steadily across a spectrum of environmental issues.

Waste separation facilities in commercial & industrial buildings

Waste separation facilities in commercial & industrial buildings

Hong Kong's heavy traffic

Hong Kong's heavy traffic

The Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance came into effect in 2012

The Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance came into effect in 2012

Aerial photo of HATS

Aerial photo of HATS

SUPPORTING REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOALS

Hong Kong works very closely with its neighbours in Guangdong and Macau on environmental issues. Our geographical proximity means that pollution from one jurisdiction often affects the others. Hong Kong and Guangdong have been cooperating on reducing air pollution for more than a decade, with good results. In 2012 we agreed on a major plan and targets to further reduce pollutant emissions up to 2020. We also worked with Guangdong and Macau to draft the Regional Cooperation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area, a statement of intent that will underpin our environmental goals and policies.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen to strengthen cooperation in improving quality of adjoining waters (Deep Bay and Mirs Bay)

Hong Kong and Shenzhen to strengthen cooperation in improving quality of adjoining waters (Deep Bay and Mirs Bay)

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Separately, Hong Kong and Guangdong set up a new Joint Liaison Group on Combating Climate Change in 2012 to explore how both sides can work together to reduce their contributions to global climate change.

Representatives of the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments attended the first meeting of Hong Kong/Guangdong Joint Liaison Group on Combating Climate Change held in Guangzhou.

Representatives of the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments attended the first meeting of Hong Kong/Guangdong Joint Liaison Group on Combating Climate Change held in Guangzhou.

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FOSTERING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Public engagement is essential in all of our work. In 2011 we held a public engagement exercise on Combating Climate Change: Energy Saving and Carbon Emission Reduction in Buildings, and recommendations from that exercise were largely adopted by the Government. Apart from agement on climate change, we run or support a wide range of community programmes to raise awareness, promote green behaviour and encourage positive action for the environment. Participation in these activities is climbing steadily. In 2012 we had tens of thousands of visitors to our community-based centres and record numbers of participants in several of our programmes. Interest is high and community understanding of environmental issues is gradually becoming more sophisticated. But there remains, as ever, scope for improvement.

Summer programme at Wan Chai Environmental Resource Centre: Draw a Tree by natural color(Left) and Take a closer look to Microscopic World(Right)

Summer programme at Wan Chai Environmental Resource Centre: Draw a Tree by natural color(left) and Take a closer look to Microscopic World(right)

We need everyone's support to build new facilities, particularly for waste, but there is still a hurdle of “Nimby-ism” (not-in-my-backyard) to overcome. We also need people to do more in their daily lives, particularly with regards to waste reduction and energy conservation. These demands will not lessen over time – quite the opposite. More than ever, our continued efforts to improve the environment will require a high degree of public participation and recognition that everyone in the community has a responsibility to bear in achieving a healthy, sustainable environment for Hong Kong.

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS OF 2012

Environment

A consultancy study has been commissioned to review the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme.

A consultancy study has been commissioned to review the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme.

Social

Publicity event on community-wide participation in energy saving

Publicity event on community-wide participation in energy saving

Economic

An incentive scheme has been launched to encourage ocean-going vessels to use cleaner fuel when berthing in Hong Kong waters

An incentive scheme has been launched to encourage ocean-going vessels to use cleaner fuel when berthing in Hong Kong waters

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2013