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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
environmental protection and launching recovery exercises is the cause of the lack of obvious effects.
In the Draft Paper, the Government accepts that public attitude and action must change for smooth running of the waste management strategy. The Government, commercial and industrial sectors, non-government organisations and members of the public are the four key parts. The Government has been seen to be cautious and hesitant in implementing a waste policy. That is precisely why its steps to change social attitude and promote environmental protection concepts were tied down.
In past years, the Government implemented low-level waste management methods to treat ever-increasing waste. These included landfill dumping and low-temperature incineration. In the short term, such outdated methods seem to cost less, but in fact, the society of Hong Kong has been paying high social costs. Therefore, in the long run, the Government should step up efforts to change the present situation. In particular, the Government should promote the environmental protection awareness and commitment of Government bodies, non-government organisations, the commercial and industrial sector, and every member of the public.
Other advanced countries emphasize promotion of awareness of environmental protection. Their governments play a key role in this. As for the Government of Hong Kong, it is slow in devising waste treatment policies, hesitant in committing to the task, and there is no long-term environmental planning project or promotion of environmental protection awareness. Consultation at this stage is late, but it is still better than not studying the issue. I hope the Government can come up with a stricter plan on environmental matters, a feasibility study report on waste management on a larger scale, and a more forward-looking handling of waste management.
I think the Government should commit more to environmental protection and waste management. It would be the key to the issue. The Government should promote the concept more actively by introducing waste recovery schemes and implementing better waste management policies, including the building of new incineration plants as suggested by the Chairman.
A study report entitled 'Rising challenges of change in Asia' (literal translation) points out that the environment in Asia is deteriorating mainly because some countries or governments do not have environmental protection policies or have not implemented such policies properly. I feel that as we know the reason for environmental deterioration and given that we have sufficient financial means and structures, we in Hong Kong should rise up to the challenge by promoting environmental protection and improving waste management methods. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support your motion.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, Hong Kong is one of the cities with the highest population density. We generate 8,900 tonnes of solid waste
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