SCMP Young Post (urgent!!)

SCMP
Y6 | Young Post 2007-12-19

HK people want tough green laws A study shows that a majority of Hongkongers want the government to introduce more stringent environmental protection policies and are willing to pay for clean air

The government will take practicality and the public's willingness to pay into account when considering recommendations by the Council for Sustainable Development to clean Hong Kong's air.

A spokesman said this after results of the council's public consultation found a majority favoured a tougher hand by the government to improve air quality.

The findings, gleaned from 81,112 questionnaires collected between June 2 and October 15, were released at Monday's Air Summit held by the council.

They showed that 72 per cent of respondents said schools and offices should be compelled to switch lights and air conditioners off when not in use.

Meanwhile, 71 per cent supported mandatory switching-off of advertising lights in the early hours of the morning.

Each of three other proposed mandatory measures - purchase of energy-efficient office equipment by the government and companies, environmentally friendly building design and construction, and replacement of existing lighting with energy-efficient bulbs - was backed by more than 50 per cent of respondents.

Council chairman Edgar Cheng Wai-kin said legislation should be considered as a way to push forward certain measures, as incentives for voluntary actions might not be effective.

Citing the HK$3.2 billion subsidy scheme announced in last year's policy address as an example, he said fewer than 2,000 light trucks and vans switched from pre-Euro emission standards to the more stringent Euro V models. This means more than 72,000 models with environmentally unfriendly engines are still on the roads.

Dr Cheng also suggested that the government seriously consider introducing an electronic road-pricing system, which had been studied since the 1980s.

The council will compile public opinion received and make recommendations to the government in a report in mid-January.

Speaking at the summit, Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau Tang-wah said the proposals would need abundant discussion before they could be turned into policies. Mr Yau pointed out that two hurdles had to be overcome when imposing new measures to improve the air - people's willingness to pay extra and difficulties in implementation.

A government spokesman said the administration looked forward to receiving the council's report and would give due consideration to its recommendations, especially their practicality.

Apart from pushing for mandatory measures, respondents also gave positive answers to questions about voluntary action to help clean the air.

Eighty per cent said they were prepared to turn off unnecessary lights and air conditioning, while 69 per cent said they would avoid excessive electricity use and 63 per cent said they would persuade others to buy energy-efficient appliances.

As for possible measures to provide incentives to enhance efficiency, 61 per cent of respondents supported cheaper electricity in off-peak hours.

This is an edited version of an article which appeared in yesterday's South China Morning Post