ENG-2000 — Page 341

THE ENVIRONMENT

Ozone Layer Protection A Global Responsibility

Joining a global effort, Hong Kong has taken up its obligations under the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance was introduced in 1989. Hong Kong has prohibited both local manufacture and import of substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons for local consumption. CFCs are commonly used as refrigerants in air conditioners and freezers, and halons in fire extinguishers. The EPD also sets a quota to control the import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which do less damage to the ozone layer. In 2000, there were two prosecutions for the illegal import of ozone-depleting substances, with fines totalling $20,000.

Noise

Noise from industrial or commercial activities is controlled by means of Noise Abatement Notices. The EPD may serve notice to require the owners of premises emitting excessive noise to reduce it within a given period. In 2000, the department investigated about 2 900 complaints and served some 240 abatement notices, which led to about 70 convictions.

Road traffic noise is one of the most pervasive forms of pollution in Hong Kong. Under existing policy, when planning new roads, the relevant department or developer must ensure that traffic noise will stay below the noise limit. If it is envisaged that the traffic noise generated will exceed the noise limit, they must adopt all practicable direct measures such as adjusting the alignment and erecting barriers or enclosures to reduce the impact on residents in the neighbourhood. Where direct measures are inadequate, they have to provide affected residents with indirect technical remedies in the form of good quality windows and air-conditioning.

To ensure that individual vehicles do not produce excessive noise, the Government introduced legislation in 1995 requiring all newly registered vehicles to comply with stringent noise standards. It will continue to move in step with the European Union on this front. In addition, all high-speed (70km/hr or above) roads have been resurfaced with low noise material where technically feasible.

To address the noise impact of existing roads on residents, the Government established a new policy in 2000 under which engineering solutions, by way of retrofitting of barriers and enclosures, and resurfacing with low noise material, would be implemented where practicable at existing excessively noisy roads. Where such direct engineering solutions are impracticable or where these solutions alone are inadequate in reducing the noise to an acceptable level, the feasibility of non- engineering solutions such as traffic management measures would be explored on a case-by-case basis.

The Government has identified 29 existing roads as candidates for the retrofitting of noise barriers or enclosures. As this will be a massive works project, the retrofitting programme would be carried out in phases with priority given to roads with a more serious noise problem and that affect the largest number of residents.

In addition, 72 local roads have been identified as possible candidates for resurfacing with new low noise material. Further feasibility studies will be carried out on these roads to establish whether they are suitable for resurfacing with low noise material.

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