WGO’s response to 2013 Policy Address

World Green Organisation (WGO) welcomes the government’s determination in tackling air pollution by setting aside 10 billion HKD as subsidies to phase out old diesel commercial vehicles. However, WGO is disappointed that the 2013 Policy Address makes “zero mention” of eleven environmental policies proposed by the Chief Executive (CE) in his manifesto during the campaign for the CE election, such as a target and action plan of reducing carbon emissions, long term energy saving campaigns and a sustainable policy framework.

WGO compares the environmental polices proposed by the CE during his debut policy address with his manifesto for the city’s top job. Of the 22 environmental polices proposed in the manifesto, the CE mentioned 11 of the measures in the 2013 Policy Address which focus on air quality and waste issue. Though waste issue is an area of priority, the Policy Address makes no mention about a target of reducing waste.

The Policy Address promise something on air quality, but nothing on many others

Dr. William Yu, the CEO of World Green Organisation, said the government should develop a plan for sustainable development as well as promoting green building. He said “Increasing housing supply is one of the highlights of the 2013 Policy Address, the inter-departmental steering committee on green building should make use of this opportunity to devise a long term green building strategy. It is of vital importance to achieve the goal of building Hong Kong into a modern livable city” stated in the CE’s manifesto.”