ENG-1993 — Page 441

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THE ENVIRONMENT

BEHIND the changing face of Hong Kong lie environmental problems which are common to most developed countries. The territory's rapid growth of population, industry and commerce remain at the root of pollution by human activities.

The government has substantially increased spending to clean up the environment in recent years. In 1993–94, this category of expenditure made up 2.6 per cent of public spending, totalling $4,045 million, compared to 0.8 per cent in 1988–89.

The year 1993 ended with the publication of an environmental review, entitled 'A Green Challenge for the Community', in which future courses of government action were outlined and a challenge was issued to the Hong Kong people to accept a share of the responsibility for improving the environment.

Much progress was made during the year towards controlling and eliminating pollution. Additional measures were introduced to control air, water, waste and noise pollution. These included controls on the handling and disposal of chemical waste; and the extension of the Water Pollution Control Ordinance to two new control zones that cover the industrial areas at Tsing Yi and Eastern Hong Kong. A review of the livestock waste control programme led to more effective controls on this form of organic pollutants.

Details of a programme of sewage improvement schemes, costing $12 billion (in 1993 prices), were announced in September, for completion by 1997. The programme aims to 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 1994 of a sewage services charging scheme, under which users will contribute towards the costs of better services under a 'polluter pays' principle.

Sewerage master plan studies were completed for North and South Kowloon, Chai Wan and Shau Kei Wan, and Tuen Mun. The Drainage Services Department has begun to implement these plans in phases.

The award of contracts for two new strategic landfills and one additional refuse transfer station was an important step forward in the government's waste disposal strategy.

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.

In October, the government announced plans to set up a task force, bringing together a number of its departments, to clean up pollution in the New Territories over the next

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