Letter to the editor of SCMP - Response to an article on low emission zones for buses
Dear Sir,
Edwin Lau of Friends of the Earth asks why only franchised buses are targeted in the low emission zones (LEZs) in Causeway Bay, Central and Mong Kok and not all diesel commercial vehicle (DCV) (“Environment takes a back seat in politically divided HK”, January 20).
Mr. Lau misunderstands the magnitude and totality of our efforts, which are substantial.
In the busy LEZs, franchised buses account for a major share of traffic. Bus companies will deploy buses meeting Euro IV standard to enter them by year end. These buses will also pass other districts and thus benefit a much wider area.
In parallel, the incentive-cum-regulatory scheme to phase out 82,000 pre-Euro IV DCV progressively by end 2019 started in March 2014. Encouragingly, a quarter of the vehicles have already been replaced.
In other words, by the end of 2019, the whole city will by and large become a LEZ if one takes Euro IV as the delineation for DCV. This is a very aggressive initiative by any standard.
In any event, it would require legislation and also an effective way to enforce the ban, such as using an electronic system. To carry out the necessary public consultation, design the system, draft the legislation and have it passed would require several years at a minimum. Replacing all pre-Euro IV DCV by the end of 2019 is the fastest and most effective way to deal with this whole class of vehicles.
In addition, we have already completed replacing catalytic converters on over 18,000 LPG-powered taxis and public light buses in 2014; and we are deploying remote sensing equipment to screen out such excessive emitting vehicles, which also catches excessive emitting petrol vehicles.
Loong Tsz Wai of Clean Air Net disputes there has been a continuous improvement in overall air quality (“Control private car growth or lose the pollution fight”, January 26). He claims “data says otherwise”.
The data is clear however. The overall air quality in Hong Kong has improved. From 2005 to 2014, the major air pollutants concentrations in ambient air have decreased, except for ozone, which requires more regional efforts.
At roadside, nitrogen dioxide is the only pollutant that has increased, and this is being addressed by the measures noted above. Between 2013 and 2014, there has already been a 15 percent decrease in roadside nitrogen dioxide. Particulates levels are also lower.
For sulphur dioxide, the WHO annual guideline cited by CAN does not in fact exist. WHO considers a sulphur dioxide annual guideline is unnecessary because compliance with the 24-hour level will already assure low annual average levels. This pollutant has also been decreasing.
Christine Loh
Under Secretary for the Environment