Preliminary national diagnostic for environment statistics Hong Kong

Transcription

1 Preliminary national diagnostic for environment statistics Hong Kong

2 National vision (1/2) To become a liveable, competitive and sustainable Asia s World City (Source: Hong Kong consultation doc) Sustainable development: finding ways to increase prosperity and improve the quality of life while reducing overall pollution and waste; meeting our own needs and aspirations without doing damage to the prospects of future generations; reducing the environmental burden we put on our neighbours and helping to preserve common resources; building a Hong Kong which enjoys an environment that is both healthy and pleasant. (Sources: ENB EPD )

3 National vision (2/2) The rich biodiversity of Hong Kong is valued, conserved, restored, sustainably managed and wisely used, thereby maintaining essential ecosystem services and sustaining a healthy and liveable place to the benefits of all people. (Source: Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan )

4 Policy priorities Sustainable development policy priorities: Championing sustainable development with a view to meeting our present and future social, environmental and economic needs and aspirations Use less and waste less of the Earth s resources through installing an environmentally-sustainable culture into Hong Kong people s daily life Improve air quality and reduce carbon and major pollutant emissions Value, conserve and restore the rich biodiversity of Hong Kong (Sources: Hong Kong consultation doc, Blueprint for Sustainable use of Resources , A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong , Climate Action Plan 2030+, A Clean Air Plan, Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan )

5 Policy tools in place (1/3) Laws and regulations: Ordinances related to environment legislation: Air Pollution Control Ordinance Waste Disposal Ordinance Water Pollution Control Ordinance Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance Dumping at Sea Ordinance Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, etc. Ordinances related to biodiversity conservation: Town Planning Ordinance Forests and Countryside Ordinance Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, etc. (Sources: EPD s website; Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan )

6 Policy tools in place (2/3) Taxes / subsidies: New First Registration Tax Concessions for Electric Vehicles Profits Tax Deduction for Capital Expenditure on Environment-friendly Vehicles Profits Tax Deduction for Capital Expenditure incurred in Expenditure on Environmental Protection Facilities Financial support in the form of funds are in place to support green developments: Environment and Conservation Fund Pilot Green Transport Fund Recycling Fund (Sources: EPD and IRD s websites)

7 Policy tools in place (3/3) Education initiatives: e.g. the Food Wise Hong Kong campaign was started in 2013, and the campaign created Big Waster to help raise public awareness Big Waster has become a beloved icon in Hong Kong By the end of 2015, per capita food waste to landfill had dropped about 8%

8 Stakeholders in environment sustainable development and green economy policy (1/3) Supports and users Government Bureaux/Departments: Environment Bureau; Environment Protection Department Development Bureau; Planning Department Food and Health Bureau; Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Department of Health, etc. Committees and Boards: Steering Committee on Climate Change Advisory Council on the Environment Council for Sustainable Development, etc.

9 Stakeholders in environment sustainable development and green economy policy (2/3) Data providers: Environment Protection Department: Environmental statistics Census and Statistics Department: Socio-economic statistics Hong Kong Observatory: Climate data Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: agriculture and fisheries, ecosystem and biodiversity Planning Department: land cover and land use Water Supplies Department: Fresh water data etc.

10 The role of the National Statistical Office Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) compiles statistics related to social and economic developments of Hong Kong Fuel and energy consumption of resources Economic contribution of environmental industries Publishes update-to-date environmental statistics on its website for free access by the public Keep abreast of the international development in standards and guidelines

11 Stakeholders in environment sustainable development and green economy policy (3/3) Other interested institutions: Universities and research groups; NGOs such as Hong Kong Environmental Protection Association, Greenpeace; Private industry associations related to environmental industries and development e.g. Hong Kong Waste Management Association

12 Institutional mechanisms in place to make sustainability and green economy decisions Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs monitor and examine Government policies and issues relating to environmental matters, conservation and sustainable development Government Bureaux /Departments Collaboration across B/Ds e.g. * Steering Committee on Climate Change steer the overall direction of the HKSAR Government in combating climate change Advisory councils e.g. * Council for Sustainable Development advise the Government on the priority areas in promoting sustainable development * Advisory Council on the Environment advise the Government on appropriate measures to combat pollution and to protect and sustain the environment

13 International activities related to environment statistics and statistical development International activities focused on environment, sustainable development, biodiversity or green economy e.g. Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection: regional air pollutant emission reduction Plan (Source: A Clean Air Plan) C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group C&SD is also keeping other international statistical development activities in view

14 Knowledge: Key documents Hong Kong consultation documents (2016) Land use, socio-economic statistics, transportation, trade statistics, biodiversity etc. Blueprint for Sustainable use of Resources (May 2013) Data on municipal solid waste disposal and recovery A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong (Feb 2014) Data on food waste and yard waste disposal and recovery Climate Action Plan (Jan 2017) and A Clean Air Plan (Mar 2013) Data on carbon and major pollutants emission, energy statistics, climate change adaptation and mitigation activities Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (Dec 2016) Data on local habitats and species, land use and protected area, protected species, agriculture and fisheries statistics

15 Existing compilations, priorities and constraints (1/2) FDES components checklist (preliminary): 1. Environmental Conditions and Quality 2. Environmental Resources and their Use 3. Residuals 4. Extreme Events and Disasters 5. Human Settlements and Environmental Health 6. Environmental Protection, Management and Engagement

16 Existing compilations, priorities and constraints(2/2) Hong Kong is a financial, trading and business service centre Dominated by the services sector (~93% of GDP) Manufacturing sector now accounts for less than 2% of Hong Kong s GDP Posts relatively small impact on natural resources the main stress on environment arises from high population density We may consider compiling Functional account on economic activities related to the environment for Hong Kong with reference to SEEA-Central Framework

17 Opportunities: Priority Actions Needs of environmental indicators driven by national vision and policy priorities Priority actions need to be discussed among Bureaux / Departments concerned

18 Thank you!