|
Hong Kong's older urban areas present considerable environmental challenges.
These areas, partly being redeveloped, consist of dense housing mixed
with commerce and industry and an infrastructure that needs continuous
upgrading so as to meet development needs and rising public expectations.
Factors such as scarce habitable land, concentrated transport networks
and immense housing demand mean noise from road and rail traffic remains
a problem despite improvement and control measures. Construction noise
is also a concern for residents living near development sites.
Unplanned discharges from livestock farming, industrial,
commercial and domestic sources had once been a serious threat to the
environment. These are now kept under control through enforcement and
implementation of various environmental programmes since the late 1980s.
The pollution load on major rivers has been significantly reduced, by
about 90 per cent. However, owing to the low base flow rate of these rivers
and the remaining pollution load, further improvement work is still necessary.
The Government's pollution control strategy aims
not to compromise industry and commerce, but work in partnership with
the private sector firms in ensuring environmental compliance so that
all may benefit from a better environment. Direct economic benefits can
often be gained from activities such as recycling and the adoption of
environmentally friendly technology. These methods are better than pollution
control techniques that have to apply after a waste material has become
a potential pollutant.
The Government encourages industry and commerce to
recognise the benefits of waste minimisation and pollution prevention
and to work to achieve these goals by taking their own initiatives. Statutory
control guidelines are also provided with well-defined standards to ensure
compliance. |
