Clean Air Plan unveiled as Bureau says our air can be as good as that of Paris or Tokyo – if you’re still here in 2035

The Environment Bureau published its Clean Air Plan yesterday laying out measures to improve Hong Kong’s air quality by 2035. Pressure groups like Clean Air Network immediately countered that the proposals were not detailed enough. One of the areas in which the Government can be praised, however, like its curbing of Covid, is the improvement in air quality. Long-term residents can remember the days when you could not see across the smoggy harbour and you could taste pollution in your mouth. Mothers voiced fears about the health of small children growing up in a polluted environment. Showing tourists around Hong Kong, it was common to feel ashamed when you took them to the the likes of Fei Ngo Shan and they couldn’t see any more than the nearest districts of Kowloon.

Many graphs were presented by Secretary for the Environment KS Wong showing the reduction of air pollution over the years. They are believable based on personal observation.

The Bureau chief laid out measures the Government will be taking to ensure, it hopes that Hong Kong’s air will be as clean as major cities such as Paris and Tokyo by 2035:

• ELECTRIC AND HYDROGEN VEHICLES: The Government aims to popularise electric vehicles. Bus companies are moving to electricity powers buses. One bus company is testing hydrogen buses. New emission reduction devices for buses will be subsidised. Old diesel vehicles will be phased out. Zero vehicle emissions by 2050 is the aim.
• RAILWAYS AND GOVERNMENT TUNNELS: The railway network is to be expanded and measures to introduce free traffic flow implemented at the government owned tunnels by 2022.
• AT SEA: The Government will work with the ferry companies to bring in new energy ferries by 2035. The sulphur content in local marine fuels is to be cut to 0.001%. Ways to increase LNG use in ocean-going vessels will be explored.

• DISTRICT MONITORING: Using artificial intelligence, better district monitoring systems will be set up and the data made public.
• POWER PLANTS: Emission standards for electricity plants will be continually tightened.  More natural gas is to be used in power generation.
• PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS: More pedestrian and cyclist friendly policies will be introduced.
• TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES: Notoriously bad places for serious air pollution,the Government said they will be improved.
• HYDROGEN ENERGY: An inter-departmental group is to be set up to work on hydrogen energy for Hong Kong.
• REGIONAL COOPERATION: Working with the Guangdong Government, the Bureau will formulate regional emission reduction targets to be reached by 2025 and 2030.  Five new air quality monitoring stations are to be set up with LIDAR technology.

If you are interested  to read the full report  go to https://www.enb.gov.hk/sites/default/files/pdf/Clean_Air_Plan_2035_eng.pdf.