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The Council for Sustainable Development today (April 30) launched a new website to set the scene for its upcoming engagement process on better air quality.
"Hong Kong's growing calls for action on air pollution are not falling on deaf ears. The council will provide the public with a channel to express concerns – and, crucially, a chance to make a difference," the council's vice-chairman, Dr Edgar Cheng, said.
"To ask the Government to do more for our skies, we must all prepared to shoulder responsibility. Taking part in the engagement process is the first step," Dr Cheng said.
The new engagement website www.susdev.org.hk features the Council Report on Better Air Quality, which was published by the council in late 2006 to provide comprehensive background on the air quality issue, including the contributing factors and key issues pertinent to the long-term sustainability of Hong Kong.
Also available on the website is an interactive game, based on the content of the council report. Free admission tickets to the Hong Kong Wetland Park are available to highest scorers in the game.
The website is a prelude to the council's full-fledged engagement process, to be launched around the end of May. The latest information on the upcoming engagement programme will be available on the website.
The council earlier decided to take forward the priority area of Better Air Quality in its public engagement process. A study group was convened in 2006 by Dr Cheng to put together information on the current state of air quality in Hong Kong and identify scope for public engagement.
The council is preparing for the Invitation and Response document for the upcoming engagement process to invite community views on three areas:
(a) appropriate action to be taken during days with high Air Pollution Index readings;
(b) demand side management to foster energy efficiency and conservation measures that will avoid the need to burn fossil fuels for power generation; and
(c) congestion charging mechanisms such as road pricing to reduce road traffic and hence lower roadside air pollution.
Ends/Monday, April 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:59
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