***********************************************************
Following is the opening remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, at the special meeting of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council today (March 30):
Chairman,
I would like to brief Members on the part of the Estimates relating to the Environment Bureau (ENB) and our major policies in the new financial year.
The Government has been allocating more resources to environmental protection, and puts emphasis on better air quality, cleaner sea water and better management of solid waste, to enhance the quality of living of our community. In this financial year, the total allocation of the ENB and departments under my portfolio is about $16.4 billion, which is about 8 per cent or $1.2 billion more than the revised estimate for 2014-15.
Of the total allocation of $16.4 billion, recurrent expenditure accounts for about $7.4 billion, up about $900 million or 14 per cent from the revised estimate for 2014-15. The additional allocation is mainly for meeting the increase in operation fees of various waste treatment facilities and sewage treatment facilities, implementing the waste diversion plan to complement the designation of the South East New Territories Landfill to receive construction waste only in the future, expanding the recycling network services including the operation of Community Green Stations and glass bottle recycling, preparing for the future Municipal Solid Waste Charging scheme, and carrying out energy audits and implementing initiatives on energy efficiency. There will be a net increase of 26 posts in the ENB and the Environmental Protection Department in 2015-16.
The provision in 2015-16 for non-recurrent expenditure, the capital account and cash flow for projects under the Capital Works Reserve Fund is about $9 billion, representing a net increase of $330 million or 4 per cent over the revised estimate for 2014-15. The increase is mainly for continuing the ex-gratia payment scheme to phase out pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles and to meet the increased cash flow requirements of some capital works projects, including the organic waste treatment facilities phase 1.
I will now give a brief outline of the work priorities of the ENB in the coming year.
One of our priorities is to improve air quality. Our measures include phasing out old diesel commercial vehicles, supporting electric vehicles, supporting franchised buses to reduce emissions, and implementing new regulations for ocean-going vessels and non-road mobile machinery. In addition, we will work together with relevant departments of Guangdong Province to take forward further regional collaboration to reduce emissions.
On improving the water quality of Victoria Harbour, upon commissioning of Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme this year, water quality in Hong Kong will be gradually improved. We will also carry out a study on enhancing the quality of urban coastal waters, to investigate in-depth the specific causes of near shore pollution for identifying further mitigation measures to improve the environment, and to enhance the opportunity of water-friendly culture in Hong Kong.
On the energy front, the Government will strengthen our measures to combat the impacts of climate change, conserve energy and reduce emissions this year. In addition to leading by example to reduce emissions, since the current Scheme of Control Agreements will expire in 2018, we will conduct a review on the future development of the electricity market and the regulatory framework. We will also announce the outcome of the fuel mix public consultation.
With regard to waste management, the ENB is continuously taking forward various initiatives committed to under the "Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources", increasing manpower to implement relevant policies including producer responsibility schemes. The full implementation of plastic shopping bag charging on April 1 this year can help ease the pressure on landfills.
As for waste infrastructure, the first phase of organic waste treatment facilities is anticipated to be commissioned in 2017. We will also complete the engineering feasibility study for the second phase of organic waste treatment facilities.
Finally, on nature conservation, we are formulating the first Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Hong Kong with a view to stepping up conservation efforts and supporting the sustainable development of Hong Kong in the next five years.
Chairman, we will strengthen our efforts in protecting the environment and are committed to building a green Hong Kong.
Thank you, Chairman.
Ends/Monday, March 30, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:30
NNNN
