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A 10-year plan for waste reduction will be published shortly, setting out targets for improving efficiency.

The announcement was made by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, in his second Policy Address today (Wednesday).

"Our key aim will be to encourage the community to produce less waste, thereby conserving resources and helping to make Hong Kong a cleaner city.

"We will also look to maximise efficiency in waste collection and disposal, and to promote greater private sector involvement in re-cycling materials and handling waste in an environmentally responsible manner.

Mr Tung said the efficient use of energy was a practical, economically sensible step.

"To improve energy efficiency and conservation within Government, we are carrying out audits for the use of energy in our buildings, and we will publish building energy codes. All new Government buildings will be designed for high energy efficiency.

"We are also looking at the potential for developing waste-to-energy incineration so as to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel," Mr Tung said.

He said a study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century was being conducted. It would give the Government better tools to identify the consequences of the choices made for developing the society.

Mr Tung welcomed discussion by the Legislative Council and the community of the measures that would be needed to make Hong Kong a truly sustainable city.

To stimulate the process of community education and debate, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands would issue a green paper on environmental policy next year.

Mr Tung urged everyone to raise their awareness of the issue of environmental protection, to examine the options the Government would put forward and to consider the choices which the Government must make in order to steer Hong Kong towards a better environment.

End/Wednesday, October 7, 1998

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