ENG-2010 — Page 339

The Environment 285

To encourage the supply and use of Euro V diesel, the Government waived the fuel tax for Euro V diesel on July 14, 2008. The Government has tightened the standards of motor vehicle diesel and unleaded petrol to Euro V specifications and implemented the statutory control on the quality of motor vehicle biodiesel from July 1, 2010.

Another motor vehicle emission control strategy is to tighten control over smoky vehicles. Under the Smoky Vehicle Control Programme, all vehicles reported must be tested for smoke levels to find out whether the owners have corrected the smoke defects. The number of smoky vehicles on roads has decreased by about 80 per cent since 1999. The Government is also bringing the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill through the Legislative Council to introduce statutory prohibition against idling vehicles with running engines.

Apart from cleaner vehicles and 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 has introduced an IAQ Management Programme, a core element of which is a voluntary IAQ Certification Scheme for offices and public places that are served by mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems. It aims to recognise good IAQ management practices and to provide incentives for owners of buildings/premises or property management companies to pursue the best level of indoor air quality.

Ozone Layer Protection

The Montreal Protocol, which aims to control substances that deplete the ozone layer, is applicable to Hong Kong. The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance prohibits manufacture and import of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons for local consumption. The EPD also sets a quota to control the import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). To comply with the accelerated phase-out programme for HCFCs under the Montreal Protocol, the Government amended the Ozone Layer Protection (Products Containing Scheduled Substances) (Import Banning) Regulation in 2009 to extend the banning of import of controlled products to those containing HCFCs such as air-conditioners, portable fire extinguishers and aerosols containing CFCs such as metered dose inhalers in phases starting from January 1, 2010.

Noise

Road Traffic Noise

Under the existing policy, project proponents are required to assess traffic noise impact when planning new roads and provide necessary direct mitigation measures to ensure traffic noise at the noise sensitive receivers stay within acceptable levels. Where direct measures are inadequate, indirect noise mitigation measures must be used.