Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04 Reply Serial No.
CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)063
Question Serial No.
Head : 44 Environmental Protection Department Subhead(No. & title): 1045
Programme : (2) Air
Controlling Officer : Director of Environmental Protection
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question : Under the above Programme, there has been an annual decrease in the "percentage of time with all
monitoring stations complying with short term Air Quality Objectives" since 2001. What are the reasons?
Does it indicate that the situation on exceedance of air pollution is becoming more serious in Hong Kong?
What measures have been taken by the Government in 2002-03 to alleviate the situation and what is the
expenditure involved? What is the estimated expenditure for the related work in 2003-04?
Asked by : Hon. LAW Chi-kwong
Reply : The decrease in the compliance rate for the short-term Air Quality Objectives (AQO) in 2002 was caused by an
exceptionally long spell of calm weather between 1 January 2002 and 12 January 2002.
Gototop
Despite that high air pollution episode, the compliance rate for the long-term AQOs (i.e. annual averaged pollution
level) in 2002 had increased from 64 to 67%. So, over the whole year, the air pollution in 2002 had improved.
Moreover, the air pollution levels at the roadside in 2002 dropped by 6% to 12% as compared with 2001.
Motor vehicles are the major cause of our local air pollution. To tackle the problem, the Administration has
continued to implement the comprehensive motor vehicle emission control strategy in 2002-03. Specifically, the
following are the key programmes:
(a) an incentive scheme to encourage the early replacement of diesel taxis by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
taxis,
(b) an incentive scheme to encourage the early replacement of diesel light buses by LPG or electric light buses,
and
(c) a subsidy scheme to install particulate removal devices in large pre-Euro diesel vehicles.
The expenditure for the above programmes in 2002-03 is estimated to be $150.1 million. In 2003-04, the above
programmes will be continued. We have made a provision of $380.4 million for them.
Actions should also be taken to control the regional air pollution. Otherwise, the air quality in Hong Kong will
deteriorate in the years ahead as the result of the worsening regional air quality. The Administration has reached a
consensus with the Guangdong Provincial Government to aim to reduce, on a best endeavour basis, air pollution in
the Pearl River Delta Region to a satisfactory level by 2010. In 2003-04, the following work will be carried out
jointly:
(a) drawing up a plan for improving regional air quality,
(b) evaluating the feasibility of a pilot emission trading scheme for some power stations in the region,
(c) establishing and operating a network of regional air quality monitoring stations,
(d) developing a handbook for compiling regional emission inventory,
(e) compiling the regional emission inventory for year 2001, and
(f) conducting technical exchange programmes.
Our part of the work is estimated to cost about $6.40 million.
Signature
Name in block letters ROBERT J. S. LAW
Post Title Director of Environmental Protection
Date 21 March 2003