11 October, Hong Kong - Press Release
Business Environment Council Welcomes HKSAR Chief Executive’s Policy Address
The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang's policy address today placed significant emphasis on sustainability, quality of life and environmental protection. Tsang opened by stating that economic development, wealth creation, improving livelihoods enhanced quality of life, support for families and intensified efforts in anti-pollution strategy were at the top of his policy agenda. He also called for joining of hands to reach consensus for future development.
Key Sustainable Development aspects in the address included:
- A confirmation of the establishment of a Financial Reporting Council to strengthen corporate governance.
- A clear indicator of growth in the financial and trade and logistics sectors, and move towards higher value added business including information technology and cultural and creative industries.
- Commitment to fine tune measures to attract international talent to Hong Kong, and measures to protect labour rights, particularly in the cleansing and guarding sectors through the launch of a Wage Protection Movement monitored by the Labour Advisory Board.
- Significant emphasis on family friendly policies, with clear implications for business tied in with Corporate Social Responsibility trends - flexi-time, work from home, job sharing etc.
- Building family friendly neighbourhoods.
- Reconfirmation of Big Market, Small Government with a clarification of community engagement in discussion when and how government should intervene in the market.
Most importantly the CE said, "I believe in the days ahead it will be important for the Government to enhance communication with the business community, the Councils and the environmental groups on development goals".
"This is clearly a positive policy address, and one which we should openly welcome. Commitment to engagement and dialogue is clear, and also to the establishment of strategies and specific targets for environmental improvements. There is a positive indication that Tsang believes it is important to set bold goals, foster community consensus, and that economic development and environmental/ cultural conservation should not be seen as mutually exclusive", Dr Andrew Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of BEC said.
Key Environmental aspects in the address included:
- The need for a forward looking strategy with goals for different stages – the CE cited the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan and partnership with the Guangdong Provincial government to achieve 2010 emission reduction targets.
- Continued tightening of emission caps on Castle Peak, Black Point and Lamma power stations, and focus on negotiations with the power companies regarding the new Schemes of Control including permitted rates of return linked to the achievement of emission caps.
- Focus on energy efficiency of buildings was highlighted, including green rooftops, however this element of the address was limited in emphasis in terms of encouraging strengthening of the building energy codes or moving towards stricter requirements for new or existing developments.
- As part of the review of Hong Kong's Air Quality Objectives - A commitment to examine the World Health Organisation's new guidelines for air quality and in light of the local situation come up with suitable targets and strategies.
- A brief update on the implementation of the policies for wastewater and solid waste was included. Progress on track according to policy frameworks. Success of 36% reduction in construction waste to landfill of positive note.
- Government commitment to Polluter Pays Principle was reiterated (waste reduction and resource conservation) as were incentives in the appropriate areas to achieve environmental benefits (accelerated replacement of old vehicles, tax breaks for low emission, high fuel efficiency vehicles).
- Commitment to voluntary measures was reiterated, with the hanging caveat of seeking mandatory measures if voluntary measures fail (idling vehicles).
- Indication that community engagement will be undertaken for the implementation of measures such as electronic road pricing and more draconian road traffic control on bad air days.
The importance of community participation in source separation of waste was highlighted (1.7 million residents now engaged in government led scheme), and the progress 1-3% reduction in waste year on year reported. The CE also indicated the initiation of a trial scheme on waste charging.
"I am pleased to report that the Business Environment Council will be implementing this trial scheme on waste charging on behalf of the government's Environmental Protection Department", Dr Thomson remarked.
Tsang in closing his environmental remarks made reference to shared responsibilities, in particular for the trade and industrial sectors he called for the adoption of clean production and green procurement methods, once again areas for which BEC has been a leading advocate.