ENG-1998 — Page 460

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CHAPTER 21 THE ENVIRONMENT

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HONG KONG's environmental problems are common to most developed communities. The rapid growth of its population coupled with a high degree of commercial and industrial activities remains at the root of pollution and environmental degradation arising from human activities.

A 1989 White Paper entitled Pollution in Hong Kong A Time to Act set out a 10- year programme to tackle the pollution problems. Measures have also been introduced over the years to ensure that decision-makers give greater emphasis to the environmental implications of government policies and programmes.

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.

Most of the environmental targets set previously have been achieved and it is time for a fundamental reassessment of the appropriate approach towards the environment. In 1998, it was announced that a Green Paper on environmental policy would be published in 1999. This would set out options for achieving a better quality environment for Hong Kong, making use of the new analytical tools being developed by the study on Sustainable development for the 21st Century (SUSDEV21). From discussion of these options a new White Paper will be developed and published in the year 2000, mapping out Hong Kong's environmental policies into the new century.

Urban Environmental Quality

Hong Kong's older urban areas present considerable environmental challenges. These areas consist of dense housing mixed with commerce and industry and an infrastructure that falls short of modern standards. Incompatible land uses stand cheek by jowl; air and water pollution abound; noise and waste disposal problems are

common.

Factors such as scarce habitable land, concentrated transport networks, immense housing demand and a lack of environmental concern in the past mean noise from road and rail traffic remains a major problem despite improvement measures. Construction noise is also a great concern for residents living near development

sites.

Air quality in Hong Kong is typical of any large modern city. Diesel smoke and fine dust in the urban areas are the most pressing problems, causing a nuisance and constituting a serious health concern. In 1998, the highest annual averages recorded