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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) this afternoon (May 13).
Mrs Lam first toured the department's air laboratories, which support the operation of the air quality monitoring network comprising general and roadside stations throughout Hong Kong to ensure the data collected are accurate and reliable. She then received a briefing from the Director of Environmental Protection, Ms Anissa Wong, and other EPD colleagues on air and water quality monitoring and application of relevant computer models.
Afterwards, Mrs Lam proceeded to the Island West Transfer Station in Kennedy Town and received a briefing on Hong Kong's waste management infrastructure including the operation of refuse transfer stations, landfills and the chemical waste treatment facility. She then toured the station, which was built in a cavern under Mount Davis. The station receives around 530 tonnes of municipal solid waste each day from Central and Western District and Southern District.
During the visit, Mrs Lam chatted with front-line staff of the department and highly commended the department for its unfailing efforts in promoting a healthy, liveable and sustainable environment in Hong Kong.
In the 2013 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced that the Government will set out clear objectives and a roadmap to achieve cleaner air, a better fuel mix, energy conservation, emission reduction, resources recovery and nature conservation in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The Environment Bureau unveiled "A Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong" in March this year, outlining the challenges Hong Kong is facing with regard to air quality as well as relevant policies, measures and plans to tackle the issue. The Government is also mobilising the community in the promotion of a low-carbon and low-waste lifestyle and appreciation of the city's natural heritage in the "Fresh Hong Kong" initiatives under the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign. Together with the concerted efforts of various sectors of society, the Government is committed to turning Hong Kong into a metropolis that is in harmony with nature.
Ends/Monday, May 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:54
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