THE ENVIRONMENT
environment. Up to December 1997, the two green funds approved about $36 million to support environmental education, community action projects and research projects. The funds also financed the setting up and initial operation of the second environmental resource centre, in Tsuen Wan, which has been run by a green group since May 1997.
The State of the Environment
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A 1989 White Paper entitled Pollution in Hong Kong A Time to Act acknowledged that the environment was in an unsatisfactory state largely because of the earlier lack of emphasis placed on this area by the government. Measures have been introduced over the years to ensure that decision-makers give greater emphasis to environmental matters. In December 1993, the government issued A Green Challenge for the Community, which was its second review of the 1989 White Paper.
Aside from stressing the need for public awareness and participation to improve the environment, the document examined the progress of the government's environmental protection programme, set down the basis for action and explained new initiatives for improving the performance of the government and the community. It emphasised the development of collective responsibility, including sustaining the environment, private sector participation and the adoption of the 'polluter pays' principle.
The third review was published in March 1996. It reported on the progress of environmental programmes stipulated in the 1989 White Paper and set the course for preventing environmental problems and promoting sustainable development. The fourth progress report will be issued in January 1998, to take stock of further progress made towards the 1989 targets, and the new targets set in the subsequent reviews.
Urban Environmental Quality
The government has put a lot of effort into meeting the challenges of Hong Kong's older urban areas. These areas consist of dense housing mixed with commerce and industry and an infrastructure that falls short of modern standards. Incompatible land uses stand cheek by jowl, air and water pollution abound, noise and waste disposal problems are common.
Hong Kong's objectives for air quality are comparable with the air quality standards adopted in developed countries. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will complete a review of these objectives in 1998.
Air quality in Hong Kong is typical of any large modern city. Diesel smoke and fine dust in the urban areas are the most imminent problems, causing a nuisance and constituting a serious health concern. In 1997, the highest annual averages recorded were 131 micrograms per cubic metre of total suspended particulates and 73 micrograms per cubic metre of respirable suspended particulates. The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and ozone also exceed the objectives for a few days in a year.
A combination of factors
such as scarce habitable land, concentrated transportation networks, an airport in the urban area, immense housing demand and a lack of environmental concern in the past means noise from road, rail and aircraft operations continue to be major problem despite mitigation measures.
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