XN000022-1995-01-11 — Page 32

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Reduction in air pollution

Following is a question by the Hon Christine Loh Kung-wai and a reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Tony Eason, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In his policy address last October, the Governor made a policy commitment to cut vehicle pollution by 20 per cent over the next two years. Will the Administration inform this Council of:

(a)

(b)

(c)

the specific programmes that will be implemented to achieve this target;

the estimates of approximate pollution reduction, by type of pollutant, that are expected from each programme and the timetable for their implementation;

the way in which the reduction in air pollution will be verified as well as the numerical baseline the Administration is working from; and

(d)

the frequency of progress updates that the public can expect?

Reply:

Mr President,

To achieve the 20 per cent reduction in vehicle pollution we propose the following measures: the introduction of more stringent vehicle emission standards, a requirement for cleaner automotive diesel fuel, a more stringent vehicle inspection and maintenance programme, higher penalties for smoky vehicles, and a scheme to reduce the reliance on light duty diesel vehicles.

The 20 per cent reduction in vehicle pollution refers to the reduction in respirable suspended particulates. We aim to achieve about 9 per cent of the reduction by the introduction of more stringent vehicle emission standards and cleaner diesel fuel in 1995; about 9 per cent by reducing reliance on light duty diesel vehicles beginning in 1996; and about 2 per cent reduction by combining a stricter vehicle inspection and maintenance programme with the introduction of higher penalties for smoky vehicles by mid-1996.