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CHAPTER 23

THE ENVIRONMENT

SINCE the publication of its first White Paper on the environment in 1989, the government has moved rapidly and invested large sums of money to correct past environmental abuses and prevent future abuse. Hong Kong's environmental problems are common to most developed communities. The rapid growth of its population, industry and commerce remain at the root of pollution by human activities.

Government spending on the environment in 1997-98 is expected to make up 3.3 per cent of public spending, totalling $8.08 billion, compared with 0.8 per cent in 1988-89. All areas in Hong Kong are now covered by various water control zones and other measures controlling waste, air and noise pollution.

The Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works, a key component of the $9.4 billion High Priority Programme, was commissioned in June 1997. The programme should be fully commissioned in 2000. It will provide for the proper collection, treatment and interim disposal for some 70 per cent of the sewage discharged into Victoria Harbour each day. With the commissioning of the last strategic landfill in 1995, all three new strategic landfills are now in operation. They will be served by a network of refuse transfer stations, five of which are already operational. Provision of these essential waste management facilities marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Waste Disposal Plan, which was published in 1989.

Under the 'polluter pays' principle, schemes to charge for the treatment and disposal of sewage, chemical wastes and oily waste from ships (MARPOL) were introduced in 1995.

To abate air pollution, a policy has been established to adopt the most stringent and practical vehicle fuel and emission standards which can be made available to Hong Kong. Open burning has been prohibited. As part of a global programme, 89 ozone-depleting substances are under legislative control.

New legislative provision to phase out the use of noisy percussive hammers (including diesel, steam and pneumatic hammers) in built-up areas was in place for implementation in early 1998. A consultancy study is under way to assess the technical feasibility of installing noise barriers and enclosures on existing roads for formulating necessary strategies and plans to mitigate excessive traffic noise.

The government and a private organisation launched parallel 'green' funds, totalling $100 million in 1994, to fund educational, research and community action projects and activities which will benefit the environment of Hong Kong, increase public environmental awareness and mobilise the community to act for the