ENG-2017 — Page 289

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The Environment

The Sustainable Development Division promotes sustainable development in the government and the community. All bureaus and departments must conduct sustainability assessments of their major initiatives and present the implications to the Policy Committee and Executive Council.

This division also renders secretariat support to the Council for Sustainable Development, which is appointed by the Chief Executive to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong. Another major role is to administer the Sustainable Development Fund, which provides grants. for projects that enhance public awareness of sustainable development or encourage sustainable practices. Since 2003, 67 projects had been approved and 63 of those completed, involving grants totalling more than $69 million.

The EPD works closely with the government-appointed Environmental Campaign Committee to encourage the public's contribution to a better environment through campaigns and community programmes. The department's environmental resource and education centres provide the public with easy access to environmental information. The government administers the Environment and Conservation Fund to promote behavioural and lifestyle changes by supporting local non-profit-making organisations to conduct educational, research and other projects about the environment and conservation.

Cross-boundary Cooperation

Hong Kong works with Guangdong and Macao on environmental matters. In 2017, the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments completed a mid-term review of emission reduction targets and ranges for the Pearl River Delta region and finalised the targets for 2020. All three sides also concluded the first regional air-quality study to understand the pollution characteristics of fine suspended particulates (PM2.5). This joint study helped formulate appropriate and effective policies to combat PM2.5 pollution in the region.

There are 23 air monitoring stations, including one in Macao. Results from the network showed a substantial reduction in the annual concentrations of most pollutants in the region in recent years. From 2006 to 2016, the annual concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and respirable suspended particulates decreased 74 per cent, 24 per cent and 38 per cent respectively.

The Cleaner Production Partnership Programme helps Hong Kong-owned factories in Hong Kong and Guangdong adopt cleaner production technologies and practices. In the light of environmental benefits brought by the programme, the EPD has extended it till March 2020.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen are implementing joint action programmes to protect the quality of adjoining waters. The programmes are progressing well. The water quality has shown noticeable improvement in Deep Bay and has remained consistently good in Mirs Bay. Separately, Hong Kong and Guangdong are taking forward a joint water quality management plan to protect the Pearl River Estuary water.

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