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Following is a question by the Hon. Leung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment and Food, Mrs Lily Yam, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question :

Early this month, the Air Pollution Indexes ("API") recorded by the Environmental Protection Department's roadside monitoring stations in various districts in the territory were abnormally high for several days. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the causes of the sharp rise in the API early this month, and the major source of the air pollutants; and

(b) whether it has immediate and specific measures to prevent the air quality in the territory from further deteriorating?

Reply :

Madam President,

(a) Very high Air Pollution Indexes (APIs), i.e. more than 100, were recorded at the three roadside air quality monitoring stations during four of the first ten days of the month. On these four days, the roadside monitoring stations recorded high levels of nitrogen dioxide emitted from vehicles. These air pollutants were trapped at the street level due to still wind conditions.

(b) The air pollution problem at the street level is mainly caused by the intensity of vehicle use particularly diesel vehicles in our urban environment. The highly visible ambient air pollution problem is largely caused by local sources including emissions from vehicles, power generation and other fuel combustion processes. It is also affected by regional air quality.

The 1999 Policy Address set out a series of measures which aim to reduce the total emissions of respirable particulates from diesel vehicles by 60% by end 2003 and 80% by end 2005; and to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide by 30% by end 2005. The measures were listed in detail in the reply to the Legislative Council question raised by Dr Hon Lui Ming-wah at the sitting of 27 October 1999. An updated version is attached at the Annex.

Following is the annex :

Measures to reduce emissions from vehicles

A wide range of on-going and new measures are being implemented to reduce emissions from all categories of vehicles. These include:

(i) taxis: there are about 18000 diesel taxis in Hong Kong. Grants will be provided to assist owners to switch to LPG vehicles. We are also working to ensure that adequate supporting facilities for LPG vehicles can be provided at relatively low costs;

(ii) light buses: there are about 6400 diesel light buses including public, private and school light buses in Hong Kong. A trial of LPG and other alternative fuelled light buses will be launched this year. If the results are satisfactory, we intend to provide financial assistance similar to that for the taxi trade to encourage operators to switch to clean alternatives;

(iii) light diesel vehicles: there are about 70000 other diesel light goods vehicles (up to 5.5 tonnes in weight) in Hong Kong. Subject to on-going operational trials, we intend to provide free installation of particulate traps which are capable of reducing about 20% particulates emissions for all pre-Euro standard light diesel vehicles (including diesel taxis and light buses before they switch to LPG). For the longer term, we will be considering other alternatives to diesel for these vehicles;

(iv) buses: there are about 12000 buses (including franchised, public and private buses) in Hong Kong. The franchised bus companies have agreed to retrofit some 2000 buses that do not meet the Euro II emission standards over the next 2 years with catalytic converter. They also plan to scrap most of their older buses over the next 3 years. All replacement buses will be new models which meet the latest emission standards. The Transport Department is also continuing with its programme to rationalise bus services and re-organise bus stops in busy areas to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and reduce pollution;

(v) medium and heavy diesel vehicles: there are about 40000 medium and heavy vehicles in Hong Kong. Subject to on-going operational trials, we intend to provide free installation of catalytic converters which are capable of reducing up to 50% of the particulates emissions for all pre-Euro standard medium and heavy diesel vehicles;

(vi) all vehicles: we will be adopting the more stringent Euro III emission standard for all new diesel vehicles as from 2001. As further practicable emission standards for diesel or for petrol vehicles are developed in coming years, they will be introduced into Hong Kong. We will present within this year proposals for phasing in age limits for different categories of vehicles for consultation;

(vii) fuels: we intend to reduce the benzene in petrol to not more than 1% in 2000 and to reduce the sulphur content of motor diesel to not more than 0.035% in January 2001. We are seeking also to introduce ultra low sulphur diesel (with sulphur content of 0.005%) initially for the franchised bus fleet;

(viii) emission control: we introduced in September 1999 an advanced smoke test (by means of a dynamometer) for light diesel vehicles spotted for emitting excessive smoke. Dynamometers for conducting smoke tests on to heavy diesel vehicles will be introduced this year. We intend to shortly introduce legislative proposal to increase the fixed penalty for smoky vehicles to $1,000. We will also conduct strengthened smoke tests as part of the annual inspection programme of all commercial vehicles and to introduce an emission check in the roadworthiness inspection to petrol vehicles;

(ix) education and training: seminars and workshops for the vehicle service trade aim to promote proper maintenance to reduce emissions and to familiarise them with the dynamometer smoke tests are being held. We are working with the vehicle service trade and the Vocational Training Council to study ways to assist the trade to improve its standards of service;

(x) pedestrianisation: pedestrian precincts are being planned in a number of new development areas and on both sides of the harbour. An inter-departmental action group is studying potential street level pollution blackspots which could benefit from pedestrianisation or other means which could reduce pedestrian exposure to pollution;

(xi) transport planning: we will integrate transport and land use planning in a more timely and coordinated manner in order to reduce the public's need to travel, which in turn alleviates the demands put on the transport system and reduces vehicle emissions.

End/Wednesday, January 19, 2000

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