Restoring Blue Skies:
Review of the Policy Agenda on Air Pollution
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

April 2008
 

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Synopsis of ideas and recommendations
Introduction

One: Global citizenship
Two: Cooperation with the Mainland
Three: Energy policy
Four: Demand-side Management
Five: Infrastructure and urban planning
 

35.     Infrastructure consists of major construction and facilities that once built, last for many years.  In many cases, the emissions caused either directly or indirectly by the facility are ��locked in�� once the infrastructure begins operation, and it may be difficult to reduce its emissions later without a major overhaul.  Therefore it is important to plan for transition to a low-emission infrastructure in the future, whether in transport infrastructure (roads, rail, tunnels, bridges, sea and water ports), energy infrastructure (power plants, fuel depots and distribution networks), industrial infrastructure (factories with varying energy footprints), or building infrastructure (raising the energy performance of commercial and residential buildings).  Sustainable development requires that urban planning be no longer undertaken in isolation but should be integrated with energy, transport and quality of life. (22)

36.     Besides long-range planning, the immediate urban environment can benefit from more urban greening and natural ventilation.  Good urban design must comprise a good-quality ��green space infrastructure��, whether public park, green spaces or ��no-emission�� zones that encourage walking and provide higher air quality outdoors for public enjoyment.  In the congested urban areas, improvements in pedestrian walkways and the creation of more pedestrian zones is an urgent need that should be accorded higher priority. (23)

 
Six: Sustainable transport
Seven: Green procurement
Eight: Pollution tracking
Nine: Transparency and reporting
Ten: Building human capital for sustainability

The Way Forward

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