untitled by Civic Exchange

11 October 2006

PRESS RELEASE (For Immediate Release)

Tsang fails to address improving air quality, ignores growing community and global health concerns ----------------Policy Address fails to provide a comprehensive air management plan ----------------Public health has not be made a priority, Hong Kong chokes while Government consults -----------------“Government has opportunity to end decade of pollution, dangerous air and filthy skies, and chooses not to” (11 October 2006) – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, failed the test he set himself to focus on an “overall strategic direction”, “targets for different stages”, “guiding principles” and establishment of “specific policies initiatives” for environmental protection. Tsang put forward a few ideas but failed to provide a strategy even though he acknowledged air pollution was a serious problem. Civic Exchange believes the Chief Executive should have stated the goal is to improve Hong Kong’s outdoor air quality to the point where pollution no longer poses a significant risk to human health as it does at present. Unfortunately, the government has consistently refused to link air pollution and public health. Civic Exchange’s CEO, Christine Loh noted: “Mr Tsang is in a unique position to make changes that will benefit Hong Kong for years to come. Right now, people are getting sick and business confidence is eroding due to this fixable dirty air crisis. If the Chief Executive chose to act swiftly, he could end a decade of pollution, dangerous air and filthy skies, leaving a legacy of healthier, cleaner air that we all can breathe”. Civic Exchange calls on the Chief Executive to adopt the following: Recommended Air Management Plan for Donald Tsang: Concurrent Efforts on Four Fronts 1. Sharpen Policy Tools: A. Set a new Energy Policy (2007-2008) to focus on public health, worker productivity, economic growth, energy efficiency and conservation, and climate change; as well as delivering electricity reliably, safely, and at reasonable prices. • Use public procurement to promote energy efficiency (2007 onwards) in government purchasing of everything from goods and materials to services. • Revise the Scheme of Control (2007-2008) to reward the electric utilities for helping to cut customers’ bills through energy efficiency and demand-side management. • Create a new post of Minister for Energy (2007), whose role is to make Hong Kong more energy-efficient and to coordinate the efforts of other bureaux, departments and advisory committees to attain this goal. • Involve District Councils (2007 onwards) in finding ways to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency on a district basis. B. Tighten Air Quality Objectives (2007) so that they protect public health. • Re-calibrate the Air Pollution Index accordingly (2007). Visit us at: www.civic-exchange.org 思匯政策研究所香港中環雲咸街 69 號賀善尼大廈 7 樓 701 室 ROOM 701 HOSEINEE HOUSE, 69 WYNDHAM STREET CENTRAL, HONG KONG FAX: (852) 3105 9713 TEL: (852) 2893-0213 1

11 October 2006 •

Put in place Air Pollution Alerts (2007) for poor-quality days to help residents take appropriate action.

2. Take a Comprehensive Approach: A. Reduce Local Air Pollution Power Generation • Extend emissions caps to Lamma Power Station (2006). • Articulate a long-term fuel mix policy (2006-2007). • Secure LNG supply for Hong Kong in the foreseeable future (2007). • Explore emissions trading further before implementation (2006-2007). Vehicular Transportation – General Measures • Devise an overarching strategy for cleaner vehicles and fuels (2007). • Improve planning and urban design (2007-2008) to reduce ‘street canyon effect’. • Legislate to stop idling engines (2007-2008). • Set license renewal charges based on the amount of emissions from different types of ehicles (2007 Budget). • Exempt first registration charge on the basis of the level of emissions (2007 Budget). • Devise an electronic road-pricing scheme (2008-2009). • Declare Hong Kong a Low Emission Zone (2010) to get pre-Euro and Euro I vehicles off the road and to have Euro III or better vehicles on the road by 2012. Vehicular Transportation - Specific Measures Franchise Buses • Impose emissions caps on bus companies (2008-2009). • Encourage replacement of pre-Euro and Euro I buses (by 2010) by implementation of a Low Emissions Zone. Vehicular Fuels • Facilitate adoption and use of biodiesel and ethanol (2007). • Offer discounts to cross-border vehicles that refuel at the border (2008). Railway-Subway Expansion • Expedite construction of new rail lines such as the South Island Line, North Island Line, ShatinCentral Line and Northern Link (from 2007). Shipping and Port Operations • Reduce vessel speed within the harbour (2006). • Promote the use of lower-sulphur fuels on vessels’ propulsion and auxiliary engines within the harbour (2007). • Promote the use of latest technology in emission abatement (2007 onwards). • Provide shore-side power for ships docking at terminals (start preparation in 2007). • Promote the use of emissions control technology on port equipment (start preparation in 2007). • Consider discounts in port fees and tariffs; berthing priority; and awards; as well as providing financial grants for retrofitting, to drive change (2007-2008). • Ratify Annex VI of MARPOL Convention so that Hong Kong can apply for its port to be a Sulphur Emission Control Area (2006-2007). Airport Operations • Ask the Airport Authority to explore how airport operations can reduce emissions and be more energy-efficient. B. Reduce Regional Air Pollution Focus on manufacturing • Facilitate the supply of cleaner fuels for use by plants’ generators; starting by working with Shenzhen and Dongguan authorities (2007). • Extend this clean-fuel effort to other parts of the PRD (2008 onwards).

Visit us at: www.civic-exchange.org 思匯政策研究所香港中環雲咸街 69 號賀善尼大廈 7 樓 701 室 ROOM 701 HOSEINEE HOUSE, 69 WYNDHAM STREET CENTRAL, HONG KONG FAX: (852) 3105 9713 TEL: (852) 2893-0213 2

11 October 2006 Focus on Shenzhen ports, shipping and logistics • Collaborate with PRD authorities to develop a Regional Green Port Policy (start preparation in 2008-2009). • Collaborate with Guangdong to request the Central People’s Government to ratify Annex VI of he MARPOL Convention so that the entire waters of the PRD can be declared a Sulphur mission Control Area (start preparation by 2009-2010). Improve regional air quality management • Allow access to real-time air quality data of each pollutant from each of the local/regional air monitoring stations (2007). • Fund joint HK-Macau-PRD air quality research and collaboration to increase air quality management capacity, with a view to setting up a Regional Air Resources Board (by 2012). 3. Play a Pro-active Role to Facilitate Industries to Reduce Emissions (2007-2008): • Invite and facilitate various sectors (power generation, transport, manufacturing, port and airport operations and logistics, design and construction, etc.) to explore how they can become more energy efficient and reduce emissions. 4. Join National and International Efforts (2006 onwards): • Join the Chinese national team in attending international climate change meetings. Explore how Hong Kong, as a financial centre, can play a role in developing and financing renewable energy, clean coal technology, carbon capture technology and Clean Development Mechanism projects, with a special focus in South China. • Help safeguard national treasures threatened by air pollution, e.g. Mogao Grottoes at Dunhuang. • Join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to network with other cities to help reduce air emissions, including carbon dioxide. • Join the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group and join them in using collective influence to reduce carbon emissions.

– End of press release –

For more information please visit the Civic Exchange website at http://www.civic-exchange.org For enquiries, please contact: Ms Christine Loh cloh@civic-exchange.org 2893 0213 or 9802 8888 Ms Michele Weldon mweldon@civic-excahnge.org 2893 0213 or 6271 4147

Civic Exchange is a non-profit public policy think tank based in Hong Kong that helps to improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. For more information about Civic Exchange, please visit www.civic-exchange.org.

Visit us at: www.civic-exchange.org 思匯政策研究所香港中環雲咸街 69 號賀善尼大廈 7 樓 701 室 ROOM 701 HOSEINEE HOUSE, 69 WYNDHAM STREET CENTRAL, HONG KONG FAX: (852) 3105 9713 TEL: (852) 2893-0213 3

11 October 2006

新聞稿 ( 即時發放 ) 曾蔭權沒有處理改善空氣質素施政報告沒有提出一套全面的空氣管理計劃 ----------------政府諮詢需時、空氣質素持續惡劣公眾健康依然未受重視 -----------------「政府能把握這結束困擾港人經年的空氣污染問題的契機，令香港擺脫灰濛濛的天空，送贈香港人一口清新的空氣，但政府卻選擇放棄這個機會」（2006 年 10 月 11 日）行政長官曾蔭權在施政報告中提出要向大家報告環保的「總體策略方向、階段性的目標、原則方針和具體的政策措施」，然而他就連這一點也不能做到。雖然曾蔭權認同空氣污染是一個嚴重的問題，但他在施政報告中只提出了數項建議，整體策略則完全欠奉。思匯政策研究所認為，行政長官應該清楚說明政府的目的是，要改善香港的室外空氣質素，直至污染不會像現時般對人體健康構成嚴重威脅。可是，政府一直拒絕把空氣污染和公眾健康聯繫起來。思匯政策研究所行政總監陸恭蕙表示：「曾蔭權先是推動這個能造福香港社會的變革的關鍵人物。刻下，空氣污染危機正蠶食港人的健康，以至外商的投資信心，假如行政長官及特區政府能迅速地採取行動回應問題，他們將能把握這結束困擾港人經年的空氣污染問題的契機，令香港擺脫灰濛濛的天空，送贈香港人一口清新的空氣。」思匯政策研究所促請行政長官採用下列措施：建議行政長官採用的空氣管理計劃特區政府必須在四個範疇同步向前： I.

加強政策力度

A: 訂立一套新的能源政策［2007至2008年］，照顧公眾健康、員工生產力、經濟發展、能源效益及節能、氣候變化，以及提供可靠、安全和價錢合理的能源供應。 ♦

開設一個新的局長級職位，專責處理能源方面的工作［2007年］，進一步提高香港的能源效益，統籌及支援其他政策局、政府機構和諮詢委員會在能源方面的工作。 Visit us at: www.civic-exchange.org 思匯政策研究所香港中環雲咸街 69 號賀善尼大廈 7 樓 701 室 ROOM 701 HOSEINEE HOUSE, 69 WYNDHAM STREET CENTRAL, HONG KONG FAX: (852) 3105 9713 TEL: (852) 2893-0213 4

11 October 2006 ♦

♦

加強區議會的參與［2007年及以後］，在地區層面尋求節能和提升能源效益的方法。修訂管制計劃［2007至2008年］，對透過能源效益及需求管理協助用戶減少電費開支的電力公司給予獎勵。透過政府採購提倡能源效益［2007年及以後］，包括各項物資、物料和服務。

B: 收緊空氣素質指標［2007 年］，使其有效保障公眾健康 ♦ ♦

重新調準空氣污染指數［2007年］。設立空氣污染警報系統［2007年］，以便在空氣質素差的日子，協助市民作出適當的應變行動。

C: 探討市場機制［2007 年］ ♦ 探討如何把香港發展成區域性的排污交易市場（包括碳交易）［2007年］，長遠而言，強化香港作爲國際金融中心的角色。 II. 減少本地及區域性空氣污染 A: 減少本地空氣污染

發電 ♦ ♦ ♦

制訂長期平衡燃料組合政策［2006至2007年］在可見未來確保液化天然氣的穩定供應［2007年］在施行排汚交易計劃前做進一步探討［2006至2007年］

道路交通：一般措施 ♦ ♦ ♦

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

制訂一套有效而全面的策略，引入潔淨燃料和環保車輛［2007年］施行道路收費［2008至2009年］宣佈香港成為「低排放區」［2010年］，禁止歐盟前期和一期車輛在路上行駛，到2012年只容許歐盟三期或更環保的車輛在路上行駛。改善城市規劃及設計，減低「街道峽谷效應」的影響［2007至2008年］立法禁止空轉引擎［2007至2008年］根據車輛的廢氣排放水平釐定牌照年費［2007年財政預算案］以車輛的廢氣排放水平，作為豁免首次登記稅的基本原則［2007年財政預算案］

♦

道路交通：具體措施專利巴士 ♦ 向巴士營辦商施加排放總量上限［2008至2009年］ ♦ 鼓勵替換歐盟前期和一期巴士［2010年］，配合實施「低排放區」

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11 October 2006

商用柴油貨車 ♦ 鼓勵替換歐盟前期和一期巴士［2010年］，配合實施「低排放區」車輛燃料 ♦ 推廣及協助採用潔淨燃料，如乙醇及生物柴油［2007年］ ♦ 向使用邊境加油站的跨境司機提供折扣優惠［2008年］

鐵路擴展 ♦

盡快興建南港島線、北港島線、沙中線和北環線［2007年及以後］。

航運及港口經營 ♦

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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倡議船隻在維多利亞港範圍內使用低硫燃料發動推動引擎和備用引擎［2007年］倡議船隻在維多利亞港範圍內減慢船速［2006年］鼓勵業界使用最新的減排技術［2007年及以後］向停泊在碼頭的船隻提供靠岸的電力設施［2007年開始準備］鼓勵業界為港口裝卸設備引入廢氣排放控制技術［2007年開始準備］考慮提供港口收費及關稅優惠、優先泊位安排及加裝減排裝置的財政資助，以求推動轉變［2007至2008年］正式確認《國際防止船舶造成污染公約》附則六，創造條件把香港劃為「硫排放管制區」［2006至2007年］長遠訂立環保港口政策［2007年開始準備］

B: 減少區域空氣污染

關注製造業 ♦

率先與深圳及東莞有關當局合作，尋求辦法供應較潔淨燃料，供廠商用於私人發電機［2007年］

關注航運、港口經營及物流業 ♦ ♦

與珠三角有關當局合作，發展環保港口政策［2008至2009年開始準備］跟廣東省合作，促請中央政府正式確認《防污公約》附則六，創造條件把珠三角地區的整個水域劃為「硫排放管制區」［2009至2010年開始準備］

改善區域空氣質素管理 ♦ ♦

透過互聯網提供各種污染物在區內不同監測站的即時空氣質素資料［2007年］贊助港珠澳空氣質素研究，強化空氣質素管理能力，籌備設立珠三角空氣資源委員會［2012年］

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11 October 2006

III. 積極協助不同工業減少廢氣排放［2007至2008年］邀請及協助不同工業類別（發電、交通、製造業、港口及機場營運、物流業、樓宇設計與建造等）的朋友進行討論，尋求在業內提高能源效益，減少廢氣排放。 IV. ♦ ♦ ♦

加入國家及國際合作計劃［2006年及以後］協助保育受空氣污染威脅的國家重要遺產，如敦煌的莫哥窟。加入國際地方環境倡議理事會加入Large Cities Climate Leadership Group

思匯政策研究所為香港一所非牟利智囊組織，旨在透過研究及分析改善政策及決策。思匯政策研究所網頁：www.civic-exchange.org。如有查詢，請致電9802 8888聯絡陸恭蕙小姐或致電6271 4147聯絡Michele Weldon。完

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