Environmental Protection

The Secretary for the Environment, who has overall content of fuels sold in Hong Kong. All commercial and policy responsibility for environmental protection, receives industrial processes are required to use ultra low sulphur assistance on the formulation of new policies as well as diesel under an amendment regulation that became effective management of environmental issues from the Permanent in October 2008. Subsidiary regulations have been in place to Secretary for the Environment, who is also the Director of control smoke from furnaces, open burning, construction dust, Environmental Protection. The Advisory Council on the volatile vapour from petrol filling stations, dry-cleaning Environment advises the Government on measures for the machines, products containing volatile organic compounds and prevention and abatement of pollution. emissions from non-road mobile machineries. The Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) Specific control on asbestos work requires registration provides funding support to local non-profit making of asbestos consultants, laboratories, contractors and organisations for educational, community waste reduction supervisors. The use, supply, import or transhipment of all and recovery, research, technology demonstration and other types of asbestos has been totally banned from 4 April 2014. projects in relation to environmental and conservation To promote good indoor air quality (IAQ), an IAQ matters. The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) set Management Programme has been introduced, of which the up in 1990 promotes public awareness of environmental implementation of the IAQ Certification Scheme for Offices matters and encourages the public to contribute actively and Public Places is one of the major tasks. Organisations towards a better environment. The EPD’s Environmental participating in the certification scheme have been Resource Centres provide easy access of environmental progressively adopting the more stringent IAQ Objectives, protection information, and organise regular workshops for which were updated in 2019, as the certification standard. the public. IAQ labels can be displayed at certified premises to demonstrate the attainment of good IAQ levels. Planning Against Pollution: Considerable emphasis is To tackle air pollution caused by vehicle emissions, the placed on pre-empting environmental problems by requiring Government is implementing a number of programmes. designated works projects to undergo statutory These include introducing stringent vehicle fuel and emission environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to ensure standards that are practical and commercially viable, that environmental factors are considered at all stages of exploring clean alternatives to diesel vehicles and project planning and development. strengthening vehicle emissions inspection. In July 2010, the At strategic level, key environmental information relating Government tightened the statutory specifications of motor to major proposals has to be provided in submissions to the vehicle diesel and unleaded petrol to Euro V standards and Executive Council to facilitate decision-making. For some implemented statutory control on the quality of motor vehicle major proposals or plans, strategic environmental biodiesel. In addition, the statutory emission standards for assessment would also be conducted. newly registered motor vehicles were tightened from Euro V At local level, environmental quality is safeguarded to Euro VI in phases according to vehicle class, starting from through the application of the guidance provided in the Hong 1 July 2017. The statutory emission standards for newly Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. registered diesel private cars and motorcycles were also The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance tightened to California LEV III from 1 October 2017 and Euro provides the legal framework for applying the EIA process to designated projects and implementation of agreed IV from 1 October 2020 respectively. To reduce emission environmental measures through Environmental Permits. from diesel vehicles, all newly registered taxis must use To lead by example, all government bureaux and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or unleaded petrol. Almost all departments are required to publish annual environmental taxis are now fuelled by LPG. The incentive scheme to reports starting 2000. Private and government owned public encourage diesel public light buses to switch to LPG or corporations are encouraged to do likewise. electric light buses was completed in end 2005; around 80 The EPD has been actively promoting environmental per cent of the public light buses now run on LPG. From April audit, environmental management system and environmental 2008, buyers of newly registered environment-friendly reporting to improve corporate environmental performance in commercial vehicles enjoy concessions for their first both private and public sectors. To assist organisations in registration taxes. pursuing environmental management, useful guidelines are Moreover, the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) available at the EPD’s website at http://www.epd.gov.hk. Ordinance which introduced a statutory prohibition against idling vehicles with running engines came into operation in Legislation and Pollution Control: The EPD is responsible December 2011. Apart from using advanced smoke test by for the enforcement of most of the measures contained in the chassis dynamometer to test all smoky vehicles spotted 10 pollution control legislation. under the Smoky Vehicle Control Programme, the Air: The control on air pollution is effected under the Air Government started in September 2014 to strengthen control Pollution Control Ordinance. Major emitters, such as power of emissions from petrol and LPG vehicles using roadside plants and cement plants, are categorised as Specified remote sensing equipment. The ex-gratia payment scheme Processes and subject to stringent licensing control. launched in March 2014 and completed in June 2020 has Emission caps have been imposed on all power stations phased out about 80 000 pre-Euro IV diesel commercial through licence conditions since 2005. Amendments to the vehicles. In addition, to help timely replacement of diesel Ordinance have enabled the stipulation of emission caps for commercial vehicles in the long run, the Government also the power sector by a Technical Memorandum (TM). A total limits the service life of diesel commercial vehicles first of nine TMs were issued from 2008 to 2021 to progressively registered after 31 January 2014 to 15 years. The tighten the emission caps from 2010 to 2026 and onwards. Government launched again in October 2020 an incentive- For other processes, the installation and alteration of fuel cum-regulatory programme to progressively phase out some burning equipment need prior approval from the EPD. To 40 000 Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles by end 2027. reduce air pollutants, limits are imposed on the sulphur

Since March 2011, the Government has put in place a $1.1 with the Basel Convention, the ordinance enables a permit billion New Energy Transport Fund (previously named Pilot control on import and export of hazardous waste and bans Green Transport Fund) to subsidise the trial and wider use of the import of hazardous waste from developed countries to green innovative transport technologies on a variety of Hong Kong. Since 1 January 2021, Hong Kong has commercial transport tools including goods vehicles, taxis, enhanced its control over the import and export of waste light buses, buses, vessels, motorcycles, non-road vehicles, plastics in accordance with the Plastic Waste Amendments or the aforesaid transport tools of charitable/non-profit to the Basel Convention. making organisations providing services to their clients Based on the principle of “polluter pays”, charging In addition, the Government has been promoting a schemes have been introduced under the respective wider adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) which have no Ordinances to charge for the treatment of chemical, clinical tailpipe emissions. The Government has fully subsidised the and MARPOL waste at the Chemical Waste Treatment franchised bus companies in 2012 to try out single-deck Centre. In addition, private sector users of refuse transfer electric buses respectively. The Government has launched stations are required to pay for the service. Similarly, the $2 billion EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme on 21 disposal of construction waste at the landfills, outlying October 2020, to help existing private residential buildings islands transfer facilities or sorting facilities, and disposal of retrofit EV charging-enabling infrastructure in the car parks. inert construction waste at public fill reception facilities, are The subsidy scheme is expected to cover more than 60 000 also subject to charges. parking spaces in three years. Furthermore, the Environment The Dumping At Sea Ordinance controls marine Bureau announced the first Hong Kong Roadmap on dumping activities in line with the requirements under the Popularisation of EVs (the Roadmap) in March 2021, setting 1996 Protocol to the London Convention. out the long-term policy objectives and plans to promote Water: The Water Pollution Control Ordinance provides adoption of EVs with a view to achieving the goal of zero for declaration of 10 Water Control Zones and four vehicular emissions before 2050. Key measures under the supplementary Water Control Zones to cover the whole area Roadmap include no new registration of fuel-propelled of Hong Kong. Except discharge of domestic sewage to foul private cars including hybrid vehicles from 2035 or earlier; sewers and unpolluted water to storm drains, rivers and trials for electric public transport and commercial vehicles, other water bodies, all other discharges into these zones with a view to formulating a concrete way forward and have been subject to regulatory control. A Technical timetable around 2025; expansion of the EV charging Memorandum of Effluent Standards provides transparency in network and promote its marketisation; training for EV setting control limits for any discharge licences to be issued technicians; formulation of a producer responsibility scheme to dischargers. They are designed to enable achievement of for retired EV batteries; establishment of a task force to the Water Quality Objectives. examine the high-end development of new decarbonisation Noise: The Noise Control Ordinance provides for the technology globally; and a review of the Roadmap around control of noise from construction sites, domestic premises every five years. and public places, industrial and commercial premises, motor Joining the global effort to protect the ozone layer, vehicles, intruder alarm systems as well as specified noisy Hong Kong has honoured the full obligations of the Montreal equipment. Noise from general construction works at night Protocol and its subsequent amendments through the and on public holidays is controlled through a permit system enforcement of the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance. To which has essentially banned non-essential noisy comply with the requirements under the Protocol, Hong Kong construction works in built-up areas. All percussive piling has banned the import of all products containing works are prohibited at night and on public holidays, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) since January 2020. require a permit at other times. Noisy diesel, steam and The Government has implemented a series of pneumatic piling hammers are essentially banned in built-up measures to control marine emissions. These include areas. Hand-held breakers and air compressors must comply implementing MARPOL Annex VI requirements, controlling with stringent noise emission standards and be fitted with vessel smoke emissions by legislation, upgrading the quality noise emission labels. The management of bodies corporate of locally supplied marine light diesel in April 2014 and is to be held personally liable for repeated noise offences. mandating ocean going vessels to switch to cleaner fuel Noise from domestic premises and public places is while berthing in July 2015 by legislation. Hong Kong is the controlled by the police on a reasonableness approach, first port in Asia to introduce the fuel switch requirement. In whereas noise from industrial or commercial premises is addition, Hong Kong has collaborated with the Ministry of controlled by the EPD through noise abatement notices. To Transport and the Guangdong authorities to jointly minimise traffic noise, newly registered vehicles including implement control measures set under the domestic marine motorcycles are required to comply with stringent noise emission standards. emission control area in the Pearl River Delta waters. Enforcement of the above pollution control ordinances Starting from 1 January 2019, all vessels, irrespective of is undertaken by the EPD through investigation of pollution whether they are sailing or berthing, are required to use low complaints, inspection and licensing of pollution sources, sulphur marine fuel in Hong Kong waters. issuing pollution abatement notices and prosecution of To continuously improve the air quality for better offenders. The Regional Offices have proved to be very protection of public health, the Government tightened Air effective in tackling local pollution concerns and Quality Objectives (AQOs) since 1 January 2014 and strengthening communication with the local communities on required a review of the AQOs be conducted at least once the government’s environmental protection work. In parallel, every five years. The Government completed a review of the the EPD also develops partnership with the trade and AQOs in end 2018 and amended the legislation in 2021 to industry to assist in law compliance and , tighten three AQOs, namely the 24-hour AQO of sulphur promote corporate environmental management as well as dioxide (SO2), and the annual and 24-hour AQOs of fine raising environmental awareness of the general public. suspended particulates (FSP/PM2.5). The new AQOs will take effect on 1 January 2022. In addition, the Government Sewage and Waste Collection, Treatment and Disposal: announced the “Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035” in June Based on a sewage disposal strategy, the Government has 2021, setting out long-term goals and strategies to further devised 16 sewerage master plans (SMPs) to cover the improve air quality, with a view to leading Hong Kong to whole territory of the HKSAR. Most of these SMPs have become a liveable city with air quality on par with major been reviewed in light of population increase and land international cities by 2035. development. Waste: The Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) The Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS), which provides for the control and regulation of the production, comprises a major deep tunnel collector system and storage, collection and disposal of waste. Moreover, in line treatment works, has been implemented for handling sewage generated from all districts around Victoria Harbour. HATS 2021 which outlines the strategies, goals and measures to Stage 1 collects sewage from Kowloon and the north-eastern tackle the challenge of waste management up to 2035. Under part of Hong Kong Island and transports it through a network the vision “Waste Reduction‧Resources Circulation‧Zero of deep tunnels to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Landfill” advocated by the Blueprint, the Government will work Treatment Works (SCISTW) for treatment. HATS Stage 2A with the industry and the community to move towards two collects sewage from the remaining parts of Hong Kong main goals. The medium-term goal is to gradually reduce the Island to the expanded SCISTW for treatment. With full per capita MSW disposal rate by 40-45% and raise the commissioning of Stage 2A in December 2015, all sewage recovery rate to about 55% by implementing MSW charging, from both sides of Victoria Harbour has been intercepted and while the long-term goal is to move away from the over- diverted to the SCISTW for centralised treatment and reliance on landfills for direct disposal of MSW by developing disinfection before discharge, resulting in further adequate waste-to-energy/ resources facilities. improvement in the water quality of the harbour. Meanwhile, the Government is taking focused effort to tackle the Enshrining the principle of “polluter pays” and the discharge of residual pollutants to the harbour caused by element of “eco-responsibility”, Producer Responsibility sewer misconnections, leakages and street activities. Scheme (PRS) requires relevant stakeholders including Engineering measures including the provision of dry weather manufacturers, retailers and consumers to share the interceptors and rehabilitation of the sewerage network are responsibility for the collection, , treatment and being progressively implemented with a view to further disposal of end-of-life products. The Product Eco-responsibility enhancing the quality of coastal waters of Victoria Harbour. Ordinance was enacted in July 2008 to provide the legal basis The sewerage system is also being extended to serve for introducing PRSs in Hong Kong. Following the full more rural village areas. As of 31 December 2020, a implementation of Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme in population of about 232 900 in the rural areas has been the entire retail sector since April 2015, the PRS on waste connected to public sewers. electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been fully The EPD is the waste disposal authority responsible for implemented in 2018. The treatment and recycling facility planning and development of waste treatment and disposal (WEEE·PARK) developed to underpin the scheme has also facilities. commenced full operation in March 2018. In parallel, the EPD In 2019, the three large modern landfills in the New has been implementing the PRS on glass beverage containers Territories received and disposed of a daily total of about 11 progressively and is also preparing to introduce a PRS for 060 tonnes of (MSW) including domestic plastic beverage containers. waste, and commercial and industrial waste, in which 8 480 In addition, the Amendment Bill on MSW charging was tonnes were containerised waste transported to the landfills in introduced into the Legislative Council in November 2018. bulk from six refuse transfer stations in urban areas and seven To complement the implementation of MSW charging, and to refuse transfer facilities at outlying islands. Overall support the public to practise waste reduction and recycling construction waste disposed of at landfills amounted to a more proactively, the Government undertook to provide further 3 950 tonnes per day. recurrent resources to strengthen our work on these fronts The Chemical Waste Treatment Centre on Tsing Yi starting from the financial year 2019-20, which would be further Island has treated more than 1.07 million tonnes of chemical increased to no less than $800 million to 1 billion approximately waste since the plant commissioned in 1993. Moreover, it also from the financial year when MSW charging is to be incinerated more than 20 092 tonnes of clinical waste since its implemented. The amount of this annual provision would be first reception of the waste in August 2011. A storage facility commensurate with the estimated gross revenue to be for low level radioactive waste on Siu A Chau was generated from MSW charging in the initial period so as to commissioned in 2005. Livestock waste collected from local achieve the effect of “dedicated-fund-for-dedicated-use”. farms is delivered to landfills for disposal, while some horse Food waste is a major constituent of MSW in Hong Kong, stable waste is treated at the Ngau Tam Mei Animal Waste the EPD officially launched a Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign Composting Plant. T·PARK, a sewage sludge incineration in May 2013 to raise public awareness and promote reduction in facility at Tsang Tsui, Tuen Mun has commenced its operation food waste. The “Food Wise Eateries” Scheme was also since April 2015 with daily throughput reaching 1 000 - 1 200 launched in November 2015 in encouraging eateries to offer tonnes per day. The heat generated from the incineration food portioning options to their customers in order to reduce process is converted to electricity for internal operation use food waste. The “Big Waster” who symbolises food wastage in while surplus electricity is exported to the public grid. the Campaign has disseminated information on food waste There are 13 closed landfills in Hong Kong; their reduction to the general public through different channels restoration works have been completed and the sites are safe including the social media platforms and strengthened for beneficial use by the public. A soccer-cum-baseball pitch at interaction with supporters, in particular the youth. In support of Sai Tso Wan Landfill was opened in 2004. A BMX Park and a the Government’s target to attain carbon neutrality before 2050, Temporary Cricket Ground, built on Gin Drinkers Bay Landfill, the terms of reference and membership of the Food Wise Hong were opened in 2009 and 2018 respectively. Two recreation Kong Steering Committee have been updated in 2021 to parks developed on Jordan Valley Landfill and Ngau Chi Wan encourage and facilitate the separation and collection of Landfill were opened to the public in 2010. Part of the Ma Yau unavoidable food waste to enhance recycling of resources and Tong Central and Ma Yau Tong West Landfills were help reduce the carbon footprint. developed into two sitting-out-areas and opened to the public To complement public education, drive behavioural in 2011. At Tseung Kwan O Stage I Landfill (TKOL-I), the changes and improve the recovery rate of waste plastics, the cycle track cum pedestrian footpath along the waterfront was EPD has commenced progressively since January 2020, a opened to the public in 2012 while the Pet Garden and two-year pilot scheme on waste plastics collection and Football Training Centre were opened to the public in 2013 recycling in Eastern District, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin. All types and 2018 respectively. In addition, the Tung Wah Group of of waste plastics from non-commercial and non-industrial Hospitals is planning to develop a camp site cum green sources will be collected for proper handling and recycling. We education ground (named E-Co Village) at the TKOL-I with a will further extend the Pilot Scheme to nine districts from the view to commissioning the facilities in 2023 tentatively. end of 2021, covering about half of the population in Hong Kong. Subject to the experience and effectiveness of the Pilot MSW Management: Hong Kong’s daily per capita domestic Scheme, we will progressively extend the service to cover the waste generation rate is still high in comparison to other Asian entire territory. In addition, the EPD has launched the second cities with similar economic development, which puts phase, and larger scale, pilot scheme on food waste collection tremendous pressure on the entire waste management in 2021 to enhance the recycling of food waste from strategy. The Environment Bureau published the “Waste commercial and industrial sources (including the food and Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035” (the Blueprint) in February beverage sector) with a view to progressively covering more housing estates. It is expected that the daily collection of food glass, waste rubber tyres and food waste. The Government waste would reach 250 tonnes by 2022. has 17 short-term tenancy sites occupying 3.5 hectares of For unavoidable and non-recyclable waste, the land leased out exclusively for use by the recycling industry. department proposes to develop a number of waste treatment The EPD continues to support waste reduction and facilities. It includes state-of-the-art multi-technology integrated recycling work at community level through progressive waste management facilities with advanced incineration as the expansion and upgrading of its Community Recycling Network, core treatment technology to substantially reduce the volume comprising Recycling Stations which promotes green living of such waste before final disposal and to recover energy from and provides recycling support, Recycling Stores and the waste. Construction of the first phase of the integrated Recycling Spots which are conveniently located near waste management facilities (IWMF) at an artificial island site residential areas. As at end 2020, over 130 community near Shek Kwu Chau was started in December 2017 and is collection points have been in operation and more are scheduled for completion in 2025. In parallel the Government expected to commence operation in the coming years. The will continue to develop the O·PARKs and optimise the use of EPD has also set up a Green Outreach to provide on-site sewage treatment works for carrying out food waste/sewage waste reduction and recycling support in the entire territory. sludge anaerobic co-digestion, as well as explore other The Green Outreach collaborates with community partners to innovative food waste treatment technologies, with a view to educate the public proper separation of waste at source and enhancing the overall food waste treatment capability in Hong clean recycling, and assists property management companies Kong. The first O·PARK, located at Siu Ho Wan, North Lantau, and residents’ organisations to identify proper recycling outlets. was commissioned in 2018 for recycling source separated Besides, the EPD has been running a Reduce and food waste to useful compost and biogas products. The Recycle 2.0 Campaign since mid-2020 to promote wider second O·PARK located at Sha Ling of the North District is adoption of clean recycling practice in more types of under construction and is expected to be commissioned in recyclables. To promote waste reduction and recycling, the 2023. In the meantime, the EPD is carrying out the food Government has been taking the lead in adopting a green waste/sewage sludge co-digestion trial scheme at Tai Po procurement policy, such as avoiding single-use disposable Sewage Treatment Works and the associated food waste items and purchasing products with improved recyclability, pretreatment facilities have commenced its operation since higher recycled contents, less packaging and greater durability May 2019. As for yard waste, the EPD has developed a as far as practicable. temporary yard waste recycling centre Y·PARK, which has commenced operation in June 2021, to turn suitable yard Environmental Monitoring and Investigations: The EPD waste into useful materials such as mulch for planting and has introduced environmental monitoring schemes and gardening, compost, biochar feedstock, and wood boards specific investigations to establish an objective basis for local and wood beams for making wooden furniture, decoration, action. artworks and renovating facilities. A pilot plant to convert Water quality monitoring includes 82 routinely-sampled yard waste into biochar is also being developed. stations for inland waters, 94 for marine waters and 60 for The EPD is proceeding with work on the three landfill bottom sediments. The EPD monitors the water quality of 42 extension schemes for the final repository of waste that cannot gazetted beaches closely during the bathing season and be recycled or treated such as mixed construction waste and reports on the latest beach water quality weekly. residues after treatment. In addition, the EPD has also Hong Kong has a long coastline of about 1 178 km in commenced another detailed study to review the use and length. To upkeep its cleanliness for public enjoyment, the development direction of all waste disposal facilities in order to Government has set up an inter-departmental working group respond to the long-term waste disposal need in the territory. to oversee the clean up operations by relevant departments Apart from the Government’s efforts in waste and engage the public in clean up activities as part of its management, local recycling operations are playing an environmental education programme. important role. In 2019, 1.64 million tonnes of MSW Air pollutant levels are measured continuously at 15 recyclables were recovered with an export value of $5.8 general and three roadside monitoring stations. The EPD billion. Under the steer of the Steering Committee to Promote launched a health risk-based Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) the of the Recycling Industry on 30 December 2013. The index informs the public of the chaired by the CS, the Government has formulated policies short-term health risk of air pollution and helps them take to upgrade the operational capabilities of the recycling precautionary measures to protect their health. The AQHI is industry. These include providing infrastructure such as land released every hour via the internet, mobile app and telephone sites and dedicated berths in Public Cargo Working Areas, hotline. training and development of the industry’s workforce, Surveys of waste generation throughout Hong Kong have encouraging research and investment in relevant been conducted since 1981 to collect information needed for technologies, and fostering community support for recycling planning future waste disposal facilities. and enhancing the collection network of recyclables. Most major development projects are subject to The $1 billion Recycling Fund was launched in October environmental monitoring and audit. The EPD oversees 2015 and is open for applications. The Recycling Fund programmes to ensure that recommendations in the EIA are promotes the recovery and recycling of waste into useful strictly implemented and appropriate mitigation actions are resources and products by facilitating the upgrading of promptly taken. operational capabilities and efficiency in the recycling industry to support its sustainable development. It further Regional and International Co-operation: To tackle regional promotes low-carbon transformation by supporting the environmental issues, Hong Kong has been co-operating with recycling industry to apply technology to make high value- its Mainland and Macao partners through the Hong Kong- added products, so as to achieve re-industrialisation, reduce Guangdong Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection disposal at landfills and promote a to and Combating Climate Change, the Hong Kong-Guangdong reduce waste and the carbon footprint. Another $1 billion Joint Working Group on and the Hong was injected in April 2021 and the application period has been extended to 2027. Moreover, the EPD will continue to Kong-Macao Environmental Protection Liaison Meeting. provide long-term land at affordable cost at the 20-hectares The governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong signed EcoPark in Tuen Mun for the recycling industry with a view to an Environmental Co-operation Agreement in August 2009, encouraging investment in more advanced technologies and including key co-operation areas in regional air and water value-added recycling processes in Hong Kong. A total of 12 quality, nature conservation, and green business development, lots have been leased to the private recyclers for recycling etc. The two governments also signed a 2016-2020 Co- waste cooking oil, waste metals, waste wood, WEEE, waste operation Agreement on Environmental Protection in plastics, waste batteries, waste construction materials, waste

September 2016 to further strengthen regional collaboration pesticide hazardous chemicals regulated under the Stockholm on environmental protection. Convention and the Rotterdam Convention. Five and one new Since November 2005, a Pearl River Delta (PRD) non-pesticide POPs have been added to the Ordinance for Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network set up by the regulation starting from January 2015 and June 2017 governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong has been respectively, in accordance with amendments to the reporting daily air quality information to the public. With Stockholm Convention. Two new non-pesticide hazardous growing concerns about air pollution control and economic chemicals have also been added to the Ordinance for development of the region, Hong Kong, Guangdong and regulation starting from July 2018, in accordance with Macao signed a “Co-operation Agreement on Regional Air amendments to the Rotterdam Convention. The updated Pollution Control and Prevention among Hong Kong, HKSARIP was submitted by the Central People’s Government Guangdong and Macao” in September 2014 to foster regional to the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention in December co-operation and enhance the regional air quality monitoring 2018 to include the latest progress and strategy in implementing the Convention. network by additional monitoring stations and monitoring The Minamata Convention on Mercury became effective parameters to enrich the air quality monitoring information. to the HKSAR in August 2017. To ensure HKSAR's full The enhanced network has been releasing real-time hourly air compliance with the international obligations under the pollutant concentrations since then. The monitoring results of Convention, and protect public health and the environment the network from 2006 to 2020 showed a substantial reduction from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and in the major air pollutant concentrations in the region. To mercury compounds, the Mercury Control Ordinance (Cap. continuously improve regional air quality and provide a robust 640) was passed by the Legislative Council in May 2021 and scientific basis for mapping out further air quality improvement is expected to commence before the end of 2021. Cap. 640 strategies in the PRD Region, the governments of Guangdong has four main provisions, namely the introduction of a permit and Hong Kong are working together on the study “Post-2020 system to control the import and export of all forms of mercury, Regional Air Pollutant Emission Reduction Targets and the phasing out of mercury-added products listed in the Concentration Levels” to formulate emission reduction plan Convention, the phasing out of the use of mercury and and targets for 2025 and 2030. mercury compounds in the manufacturing processes listed in Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao also launched a the Convention, and the introduction of a permit system to study “Characterisation of photochemical ozone formation, control the storage of all forms of mercury and mercury regional and super-regional transportation in the Greater Bay compounds. Area” in 2021. Through a series of air quality measurements at To address the climate change challenge, the HKSAR, sea, land and air, the formation and transportation as part of the People’s Republic of China, has been working characteristics of ozone in the Greater Bay Area could be closely with the international community under the United explored. Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its The Government in collaboration with the Guangdong Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement. The HKSAR has also authorities launched a Cleaner Production Partnership joined the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) to Programme in April 2008, which provides technical support to enhance co-operation with participating cities to combat Hong Kong-owned factories in Guangdong and Hong Kong to climate change. Hong Kong is also a member of the C40 facilitate adoption of cleaner production technologies and Steering Committee, which is responsible for setting the practices. As at June 2021, more than 3 400 funding direction of work of the C40. Furthermore, the “Co-operation applications were approved and about 600 awareness and Agreement between Hong Kong and Guangdong on technology promotion activities were organised with about Combating Climate Change” was signed between the two 55 000 participants. To enhance the efforts in promoting governments in August 2011. Co-operation between the two cleaner production, the two governments jointly launched the places on combating climate change and the related scientific Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners research and technology development are overseen by the Recognition Scheme in August 2009 to give recognition to the Special Panel on Combating Climate Change established efforts of Hong Kong-owned factories and commercial under the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on enterprises in pursuing cleaner production. As at June 2021, Environmental Protection and Combating Climate Change. there were 336 enterprises holding valid commendations. The The Government launched “Hong Kong’s Climate Action two governments also signed the Hong Kong-Guangdong Co- Plan 2030+” (Action Plan) in 2017, setting a target to reduce operation Agreement on Cleaner Production in November our carbon intensity by between 65% and 70% by 2030 2014. compared with the 2005 level. The Action Plan also set out in Hong Kong and its neighbour Shenzhen, meanwhile, are detail the key measures on mitigation, adaptation and jointly implementing action programmes to protect the water resilience to combat climate change for achieving the target. quality of the adjoining water bodies, including Deep Bay and The 2020 Policy Address announced that Hong Kong would Mirs Bay. The EPD and the Shenzhen government also strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. To this end, entered into agreements to strengthen co-operation on the Government will update Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan environmental protection and promotion of cleaner production in 2021 to set out more proactive strategies and measures to in December 2007 and November 2008 respectively. reduce carbon emissions. The Government also set up a new Exchanges and collaboration in various areas of Steering Committee on Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality environmental protection with Macao have been enhanced under the Chairmanship of the Chief Executive in 2021 to under the steer of the annual Hong Kong-Macao oversee climate strategies and actions at the highest level. Environmental Protection Liaison Meeting since 2008. In The Government set up the $200 million Green Tech October 2016, the EPD and the Macao Environmental Fund in 2020 to provide better and more focused funding Protection Bureau signed the Hong Kong-Macao support to research and development projects which can help Environmental Protection Co-operation Agreement to further Hong Kong decarbonise and enhance environmental strengthen exchange and co-operation in various areas. protection, thereby helping Hong Kong pursue the target of The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) became effective to the HKSAR in striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. November 2004. The HKSAR Implementation Plan Hong Kong is moving along the “low carbon” pathway (HKSARIP) was included in China’s National Implementation to become an economy based on low energy consumption Plan. The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed and low pollution. A host of actions are being pursued to Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and enhance energy efficiency, use clean fuels, and rely less on fossil fuels. By implementing various environmental Pesticides in International Trade became effective to the protection HKSAR in August 2008. The Hazardous Chemicals Control measures and promoting low carbon initiatives, Ordinance came into operation in April 2008 to regulate non-

Hong Kong is aspiring to be one of the greenest cities in China.

GovHK Website: http://www.gov.hk Environmental Protection Department Home Page address: Information contained in this publication may be freely used. http://www.epd.gov.hk (Main) July 2021 No acknowledgement is necessary. http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/ (EIA Ordinance)