ENG-2019 — Page 278

15

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 and encourage sustainable practices. Since 2003, 74 projects had been approved and 67 of those completed, involving grants totalling about $76 million.

The EPD works 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 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. The HKSAR and Guangdong governments have been implementing various measures to meet the 2020 reduction targets for regional air pollutant emissions. Both governments are conducting a study on post-2020 reduction targets and concentration levels, and collaborating on forecasting air quality.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network comprises 23 air monitoring stations. Results from the network showed substantial reductions in most pollutants in recent years. From 2009 to 2018, the average annual concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and respirable suspended particulates (RSP) decreased 69 per cent, 21 per cent and 32 per cent respectively. The ozone level increased 4 per cent, indicating alleviation of the regional photochemical pollution is required.

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 its environmental benefits, it was proposed in the 2019 Policy Address to extend the programme for five years up to March 2025.

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

228