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THE ENVIRONMENT
SINCE the publication of its first White Paper on the environment in 1989, the Hong Kong Government has been moving rapidly and investing large sums of money to correct past environmental mistakes.
The territory's environmental problems are common to most developed countries. Its rapid growth of population, industry and commerce remains at the root of pollution by human activities.
In 1994–95, government expenditure on the environment is expected to make up three per cent of public spending, totalling $5,235 million, compared to 0.8 per cent in 1988-89.
Much progress was made during 1994 towards controlling and eliminating pollution. More emphasis was also put on environmental education.
Additional measures were introduced to control water, waste, air and noise pollution. The Water Pollution Control Ordinance was extended to new zones that cover the industrial areas at Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan and Shau Kei Wan. The livestock waste control programme was improved to provide more effective controls on this form of organic pollutant.
A programme of sewerage improvement schemes, costing about $12 billion, was in progress, and was aimed at completion by 1997. The programme is designed to help clean up Victoria Harbour, where as much as 50 per cent of the territory's sewage goes untreated, and to improve sewage services in other areas. It includes proposals for the introduction in 1995 of a sewage services charging scheme, under which users will contribute towards the cost of better services under a 'polluter pays' principle.
Two new strategic landfills became operational in 1994 and the contract for a third landfill was awarded during the year. These new landfills will be served by a network of refuse transfer stations, three of which are already operational. Provision of these essential waste management facilities marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Waste Disposal Plan, which was published in 1989.
Under the 'polluter pays' principle, plans are also afoot to introduce charges for the disposal of privately-collected wastes at landfills and for the treatment and disposal of chemical wastes.
Legislative amendments to the Air Pollution Control Ordinance extended its scope to cover more air-polluting industries and environmental asbestos, and increased penalties and fines. Further controls under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance accelerated the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances as part of a global programme.
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