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Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Keith Kwok says improving Hong Kong's air quality is his bureau's top priority, adding details of the Emissions Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants in the Pearl River Delta will be finalised later this year.
Reviewing the work of the new Environmental Protection Department for the last 12 months since it merged with the bureau's Environment Branch last April, Mr Kwok said it is committed to tackling challenges in the coming months.
"This can be achieved through the progressive tightening of emissions caps for the power plants, the implementation of emission-reduction projects, the use of ultra-low sulphur coals and natural gas for power generation, and the reduction of export of electricity to the Mainland when the power shortage in the Pearl River Delta is eased."
On the regional front, Mr Kwok said both Guangdong and Hong Kong are committed to achieving emissions reduction targets by 2010 as scheduled through the continued implementation of the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan.
"In this regard, we are working on the Emissions Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants in the PRD region with the Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau," he said.
Municipal waste management
On the management of municipal solid waste, Mr Kwok said the department will introduce umbrella legislation this year for implementing the Producer Responsibility Schemes for products such as electrical and electronic equipment, vehicle tyres and plastic shopping bags.
"We will ensure that the scheme for specific products will be put in place progressively from 2007 onwards," he said.
The 20-hectare EcoPark in Tuen Mun Area 38 has been progressing speedily, and phase one will be available for occupation by the end of this year, Mr Kwok said.
On cleaning up the harbour, Mr Kwok said the Government has decided in principle to proceed with Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme. The $8 billion works will be completed in 2013 and funding approval from the Finance Committee has been obtained for the preparatory work.
Mr Kwok said the Government is reviewing the existing sewage charging scheme in accordance with the "polluter-pays" principle and developing a proposal which will ensure an equitable distribution of the burden of the cost of sewage services among the public and all the affected trades.
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