Green groups win air quality pledge (extract)

The government has bowed to pressure from green groups to revamp its air quality objectives, drawing on World Health Organization standards.

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau Tang-wah made the announcement at the launch of the NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike.

Yau also said yesterday he hopes the territory may reach a consensus (達成共識) with neighbouring Guangdong in establishing consistent air quality standards.

Campaigning for an overhaul since 2004, Greenpeace said it has received a letter from the Environmental Protection Department saying the review will also weigh (權衡) economic, social and technological factors in adopting WHO air quality measurement standards.

"While we are happy the government has finally set a timetable for an overhaul, we are concerned some of the wording in the letter may be a ploy to dilute or lower new standards that will fall short of the WHO benchmark," Greenpeace campaigner Prentice Koo Wai-muk said.

The muggy and hazy conditions resulted yesterday in the opening of 14 temporary heat shelters. It also brought in high air pollution readings at all EPD general monitoring stations.

Timothy Chui
The Standard, 18 September, 2008