ENG-2014 — Page 296

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The Environment

Marine transport

Marine vessels are the largest emission source in Hong Kong. To control marine emissions, the government has implemented a series of measures, including introducing MARPOL Annex VI requirements and regulating marine fuel quality. In September 2012, the government launched a three-year Port Facilities and Light Dues Incentive Scheme to encourage ocean-going vessels to use cleaner fuel while berthing. The EPD plans to mandate this practice in 2015. Legislation in April 2014 tightened the sulphur limit on local marine light diesel from 0.5 per cent to 0.05 per cent.

Power generation

Power plants are a major source of local emissions. To improve local and regional air quality, the government has progressively tightened the statutory emission caps on the power sector and encouraged the power companies to use cleaner fuels and to retrofit their major coal-fired electricity generation units with advanced emission reduction devices. In December 2014 the emission caps for the three key pollutants (SO2, NOx and RSP) were tightened from 2019 onwards by 40 to 63 per cent of the 2010 levels.

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 Pollution

Road Traffic Noise

As in most major cities, noise is an issue in Hong Kong and more than one million people are affected by 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. 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.

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