Strategic Environmental Assessment Initial Assessment Report
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STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT Hyder - Mott Connell Joint Venture This report is prepared by Hyder-Mott Connell Joint Venture for information and discussion purposes. The findings and recommendations do not necessarily represent the views of the HKSARG. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. BASELINE CONDITIONS 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CAPITAL STOCK AND CARRYING CAPACITY 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 5. ENVIRONMENTAL TARGETS 6. IDENTIFICATION OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES ABBREVIATIONS APPENDICES FIGURES TABLES FOOTNOTES 1 1 Introduction 1.1 Preamble 1.1.1 Hong Kong like many major cities around the world has its share of environmental concerns and pollution problems to contend with. The issues which are particularly at the forefront of attention are reflections of the urban environment in which we live and work and indeed have changed over recent years and decades. Key environmental concerns affecting Hong Kong include: • Air pollution problems which are caused by both mobile and stationary sources with the street level air quality mainly affected by vehicle emissions. • Water pollution due to the discharge of domestic and industrial effluents into the marine waters surrounding Hong Kong. • Noise pollution due to high density living in the metropolitan areas, the extent of vehicle traffic, the congestion on the roadways and the close proximity of residential developments to roads especially in the older areas and also the effects of the ever changing landscape and the associated construction works. • Waste generation and the fast dwindling disposal site capacity coupled with the problem of siting new facilities in diminishing rural areas. • Natural conservation and the juxtaposition of increasing development areas with the pressures of retaining the ecological resources and biodiversity. • Landscape resources, both in the urban area and in the countryside, have been eroding at an alarming rate as a result of rapid development in the last few decades. 1.1.2 Clear recognition must be given to the anthropogenically influenced trans- boundary effects. In the latter connection, consideration must be given to “mobile” pollution sources such as water and air quality. It is of particular concern to decision makers and strategists that without appropriate management and planning, the environmental ‘carrying capacity’ (the number of individuals which can be supported in a given area without degradation to the natural, social and economic environment), could easily be exceeded or overwhelmed by internal and external pressures. In the latter context, the triggers could be development pressures such as population migration and shifts in economic development. As such, these influences must be given due regard in the development of targets and sustainable solutions. 1.1.3 The ultimate goal is for Hong Kong to be recognised as a ‘World City’ with internationally recognised lifestyles, environmental quality and city planning. To achieve this, various actions are required. These include a review of the environmental baseline conditions and a clear definition of the extent of the changes which have taken place over the years and are predicted to take place due to policies and practices which are being implemented. In addition to which, the current situation within the Hong Kong SAR needs to be examined in the context of “think globally, act locally”. This translates as reviewing environmental standards and targets set in Hong Kong against an international framework. Targets and standards can then be compared to international standards to allow Hong Kong’s performance to be benchmarked against international standards. 2 1.2 Background 1.2.1 In 1984 the first Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) adopted the then farsighted approach of utilising environmental protection principles by integrating environment, transport and land use planning into a framework which was flexible enough to guide the physical development of Hong Kong into the 1990s. Although it had been updated twice, in 1986 and 1988, to take account of changing circumstances, it was not until 1990 that a comprehensive review of the TDS was undertaken. The technical work of the TDS Review was completed in late 1996 and the report, including a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), of the development strategies was published in 1998. 1.2.2 Since the completion of the TDS Review in late 1996, some of the fundamental assumptions have been superseded such as population projections and economic growth rates. Other new influencing factors which have strategic planning implications include China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation and the increasing socio-economic interactions between Hong Kong and the Mainland which must now be introduced. 1.2.3 It is evident that an updated planning framework is needed to guide the formulation of a long-term development strategy (referred to as HK2030) for Hong Kong and to provide a basis for allocating land for various land uses and investment in infrastructure. The focus of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is to address the issues of land-use planning in the context of sustainable development and in terms of minimising environmental impacts arising from the development options. 1.2.4 The definition of World City, as noted by the Commission on Strategic Development in its report “Hong Kong’s Long-Term Development Needs and Goals”, are cities which have defining characteristics (http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/brandhk/index_e.htm). Such cities possess a strong, internationally oriented services sector and a workforce with specialised skills and knowledge that, in turn, attract others with skills and specialised resources. These cities have excellent ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ infrastructure including transportation and telecommunications, world-class education and training, as well as a commitment to sustainable development. The quality of key institutions - universities, the media and civic organisations - and less tangible features including commitment to the rule of law, freedom of expression and association, free flow of information, openness and diversity, are also fundamental in determining whether cities have achieved the “world class status”. 1.2.5 World cities are, by definition, very cosmopolitan and this enables them to attract international capital, business and skilled individuals that make them centres for global commerce. As noted previously, the aim is for Hong Kong to become a World Class City, having facilities, services, and infrastructure which accord with such definitions. 1.2.6 Given that this Study spans a 30-year period it is evident that significant changes will take place in Hong Kong and elsewhere during this time. Changes which need to be considered include application of new technologies although other areas such as changes in lifestyle and method of working (from home, shorter weeks, different types of activities, etc.) are also important as these could affect the environment in which we live. It is of interest to note that other cities such as Singapore have confined their Sustainable Development plans to one decade rather than three decades. 3 1.2.7 Obvious uncertainties prevail over the extent and nature of the changes, however it is an exciting challenge to formulate a framework which addresses such possibilities. Uncertainties in the projections over a 30-year timespan such as population, transportation, housing and the provision of associated infrastructure, present obvious challenges. However, the goal is to develop a flexible and adaptable framework for land use planning and for the protection of our environment and resources while ensuring it is robust enough to withstand both external and internal influences. 1.2.8 Opportunities will be taken to examine innovative ideas, options and measures that could be adopted in the future to bring about continuous and sustainable improvements to Hong Kong’s living environment. 1.3 Scope of Work 1.3.1 The fundamental building block for Hong Kong to maintain and enhance its status as a World City in Asia (which is founded on its role as the gateway to the Mainland and a hub for business in the Asia-Pacific region) is environmental responsibility. Responsibilities include the provision of a ‘healthy environment’, protection of existing resources as well as identifying opportunities for expanding our capital stock and carrying capacity in local, regional and global terms. 1.3.2 To put the SEA into context, it should be noted that the Main Study of the HK2030 involves four key stages viz: Stage 1 : Agenda Setting, Baseline Review and Identification of Key Issues; Stage 2 : Examination of Key Issues; Stage 3 : Formulation and Evaluation of Scenarios and Options; and Stage 4 : Formulation of Development Strategies and Response Plans. 1.3.3 The SEA will be integrated with the Main Study by providing strategic environmental information and suggestions to facilitate the formulation, development, and identification of scenarios and options which could meet the environmental targets of a World City in Asia. 1.3.4 Strategic evaluation methodologies and assessment tools will be used to examine the development options in respect of their environmental sustainability implications and strategic environmental impacts. Reference will be made to the relevant environmental sections of the Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century (SUSDEV 21) when considering and evaluating the environmental