ENG-2012 — Page 293

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The Environment

Indoor Air Quality

To promote good indoor air quality (IAQ) and public awareness of its importance, the Government has introduced an IAQ Management Programme, which includes a voluntary IAQ Certification Scheme for offices and public places 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 for controlling substances that deplete the ozone layer applies to Hong Kong. The Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance prohibits manufacture of these substances as well as their import for local consumption, except hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The import of HCFCs is now subject to quota control with a view to completely banning their import by 2020.

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 stays within acceptable levels. Where direct measures are inadequate, indirect noise mitigation measures must be used.

To address traffic noise from existing roads, a programme to retrofit noise barriers on noisy road sections is being carried out in phases under the Public Works Programme. All high-speed (70 kilometres per hour or above) roads have been resurfaced with low-noise material wherever practicable. In addition, a trial programme to surface local roads with low-noise material is being implemented.

To prevent individual vehicles from producing excessive noise, since 2002 legislation requires all newly registered vehicles to comply with the latest internationally recognised noise standards.

Railway Noise

Various noise reduction programmes have been implemented by the railway operators since the early 1990s to address noise problems along railways, bringing relief to some 110,000 affected residents thus far. New railway projects are required to undergo environmental impact assessments to ensure their noise impact is properly addressed.

Aircraft Noise

The impact of aircraft noise on almost all residents in the vicinity of Hong Kong International Airport flight paths is within the planning standard. However, there is still concern about aircraft noise nuisance, especially during evenings and early mornings. The Government continues to explore all practicable aircraft noise mitigating measures.

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