ENG-2003 — Page 346

THE ENVIRONMENT

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tighter emission standards introduced in the past few years have significantly reduced the pollution from motor vehicles.

To deal with the problem of in-use diesel vehicles, grants were provided to encourage owners of the 18 000 diesel taxis to replace their vehicles with ones that run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This incentive programme was completed at the end of 2003. Nearly all of Hong Kong's taxis are now running on LPG. A similar scheme was launched in August 2002 to encourage the early replacement of diesel light buses with LPG or electric light buses. Nearly 80 per cent of the newly registered public light buses are fuelled by LPG. A programme to retrofit pre-Euro diesel light vehicles with particulate reduction devices was completed in October 2001, with about 24 000 vehicles retrofitted. A similar retrofit programme for pre-Euro diesel heavy vehicles began in December 2002. A new regulation to mandate the installation for pre-Euro diesel light vehicles of up to four tonnes was introduced on December 1, 2003.

Another motor vehicle emission control strategy is to tighten the control against smoky vehicles. A Smoky Vehicle Control Programme has been operating since 1988. All vehicles reported under the scheme must be smoke tested by an advanced test method using a chassis dynamometer at designated vehicle emission testing centres to confirm that the vehicle owners have rectified the smoke defects. Under this scheme, 14 553 tests were conducted in 2003.

Apart from having cleaner vehicles and cleaner fuels, it is essential to promote mass transit systems that are pollution-free at street level. The Government has adopted a policy that gives priority to rail over road, and encourages innovation wherever practical.

Indoor Air Quality

To promote good indoor air quality (IAQ) and public awareness of its importance, the Government is implementing an IAQ Management Programme. One of the core elements of the programme is a voluntary IAQ Certification Scheme for Offices and Public Places. The certification scheme is for buildings or premises used as offices and public places that are served by mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems. It aims to recognise good indoor air quality management practices and to provide incentives for owners of buildings/premises or property management companies to pursue the best level of indoor air quality. The scheme opened for applications in September.

Noise

Road Traffic Noise

Hong Kong, like many metropolitan cities in the world, experiences various noise problems, one of which is road traffic noise. Under the existing policy, when planning new roads, the project proponent must ensure that traffic noise will stay below the established noise limits. If it is envisaged that traffic noise generated will exceed the noise limits, the project proponent must adopt all practicable direct measures such as adjusting the road alignment, surfacing the roads with low noise material or erecting noise barriers to reduce the noise impact on the neighbourhood. Where direct measures are inadequate, the project proponent has to provide the affected noise

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