Hong Kong chief calls for green transport
The chief executive of Hong Kong, C Y Leung has pledged to introduce “green transport” in the city on his maiden policy address this morning by introducing a number of environmental protection measures, Seatrade Asia online reports.
“For the well-being of future generations, the Government and the community must commit to improving the environment. To tackle key issues such as waste management and air quality requires us to make choices. The community and the Government must both take responsibility for making the decisions. To this end, we will engage the public in our discussion and foster co-operation among policy bureaux in introducing various environmental protection initiatives step by step,” Leung said.
Leung stressed the importance of improving air quality through both roadside and ocean shipping. “The emissions of ocean-going vessels at berth accounted for about 40% of their total emissions within Hong Kong waters,” Leung warns.
Leung revealed that the government is considering bringing in new legislation to enforce the requirement of fuel switching at berth. “We plan to submit our proposal to this Council in the next legislative session following the completion of consultation with the maritime sector. Meanwhile, we are stepping up our efforts with the Guangdong Provincial Government in exploring the feasibility of requiring ocean-going vessels to switch to low-sulphur diesel while berthing in Pearl River Delta ports.”
Speaking of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, which will be commissioned in the middle of this year, Leung said the government now plans to install on-shore power supply facilities for use by cruise vessels with such capability and enable cruise vessels to switch to electric power while berthing and hence minimize their impact on air quality.
Leung also proposes injecting HK$5bn into the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) so that investment returns of the fund can provide long-term and sustained support for green actions.