XN000022-1993-10-06 — Page 21

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993

11

"IN A PLACE AS SMALL AND AS CROWDED AS HONG KONG, WE HAVE A DUTY TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT COUNTRYSIDE WE HAVE LEFT, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

MR PATTEN NOTED THAT EXISTING LEGISLATION HAD FAILED ΤΟ STOP THE HAPHAZARD CONVERSION OF FARM LAND INTO STORAGE AND DUMPING SITES.

"THIS HAS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MANY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THROUGH FLOODING, HEALTH HAZARDS AND ROAD CONGESTION, HE SAID.

11

MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY PUBLISH THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION IN HONG KONG,

"IT IS A GOOD DOCUMENT.

WE HAVE DONE A GOOD DEAL.

NOT

"BUT FOR ALL OUR ACHIEVEMENTS, THERE IS ONE THING WE HAVE MANAGED TO DO AND THAT IS TO MOBILISE THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY BEHIND OUR EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP OUR ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID.

tt

THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED TO ESTABLISH AN ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION FUND FOR HONG KONG, WHICH WOULD BE SET UP WITH AN INITIAL CAPITAL INJECTION OF $50 MILLION.

THE FUND WILL HELP TO PAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL

EDUCATION AND

RESEARCH.

ΤΟ

"IT WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO GIVE WELCOME MATERIAL ASSISTANCE 'GREEN GROUPS' UNDERTAKING WORTHWHILE ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDS EVERYONE'S COMMITMENT, HE SAID.

MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT MORE BUSINESS LEADERS NEEDED TO BE RECRUITED TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

HE NOTED THAT MANY OF THEM HAD ALREADY INVOLVED AND THE WORK OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT WAS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THIS.

HE SAID BUSINESSES WOULD BE INVITED TO :

*

*

CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDITS OF THEIR COMPANIES;

APPOINT A "GREEN MANAGER" WITHIN EACH OF THEIR ORGANISATIONS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS; AND

WORK CLOSELY WITH THOSE BODIES

TECHNOLOGY,

-

- SUCH AS THE THE ENVIRONMENTAL

CENTRE OF

CAMPAIGN

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE AND THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH CAN HELP THEM TO BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE.

ALL GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENTS

WILL APPOINT THEIR OWN "GREEN

MANAGERS"

HE SAID.

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