Review of Environmental Baseline Conditions
INFORMATION NOTE. 3 REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS BACKGROUND 1. As mentioned in the Inception Report of the HK2030 Study, we will establish and update the environmental baseline conditions of Hong Kong by making use of currently available information. We have made use of the Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century (SUSDEV 21 Study)'s environmental baseline database for this purpose which provides the most comprehensive account of the characteristics and trends in the baseline environment of Hong Kong from the territory-wide, strategic and sustainability perspectives. 2. On the basis of the latest available data/information and the consultation with relevant bureaux/departments, a broad update of the environmental baseline conditions is provided in the following paragraphs. We will continue to update the baseline conditions upon the availability of findings of relevant studies, such as Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong (to be commissioned by PlanD this year). 3. This paper covers the work completed so far on the on-going task of baseline information updating.
ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS Natural Resources Capital Stock Land Supply 4. Hong Kong has a total land area of about 1,099 km2. However, land suitable for development in Hong Kong is extremely limited due to topographical constraints and that the existing land uses have occupied most of the developable land in the metropolitan areas. 5. Table 1 below summarises the broad land use pattern in Hong Kong whereas Table 2 shows the type of uses of the developed lands within the territory. Table 1 - Broad Land Use Pattern in Hong Kong Area (km2)
%
Woodland/Shrubland/Grassland
741.17
67.4%
Developed lands
229.84
20.9%
Farmland, fish ponds & livestock farms
69.7
6.3%
Reservoirs & streams/nullahs
28.46
2.6%
Barren Land (badland, quarries & rocky shore)
23.58
2.1%
Swamp & mangrove
6.44
0.6%
1099.19
100%
Land Use Categories
Total
Table 2 - Usage of Developed Lands in Hong Kong Area (km2)
%
Housing
66.94
29.1%
Roads/Railways/Airport
49.49
21.5%
Vacant development land/ construction in progress
27.21
11.8%
Other urban or built-up land (incl. cemeteries/crematoriums, public utilities)
24.25
10.6%
G/IC
19.96
8.7%
Industrial (incl. warehouse & storage)
19.7
8.6%
Open space
19.41
8.4%
Commercial
2.88
1.3%
229.84
100%
Land Usage
Total
Source: Final Report of the Consultancy Study to Analyse Broad Land Use Pattern of Hong Kong (Table 5.4), PlanD, April 2001.
Agriculture and Fisheries Resources 6. In common with many other major cities of the world, Hong Kong's agriculture and fisheries resources do not fully support local demand for fresh foodstuffs. Only 7% of fresh vegetable and 6% of freshwater fish were produced locally in 2000. 7. The area of cultivated lands (excluding fish ponds) in Hong Kong has declined by more than 50% between 1954 and 2000. Of the remaining 2,710 ha in production in 2000, the majority is used for fish farming (47%) and market gardening (30%). 8. In Hong Kong aquaculture includes inland pond fish culture, marine fish culture and oyster culture. In 1999, production from the aquaculture sector was 5,807 tonnes which was 4 per cent in weight of the total fisheries production. Amongst which, a majority of the production (77%) was freshwater fish reared in local inland ponds. 9. In recent years, overfishing and coastal developments have resulted in a drastic decline in fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters. According to the baseline data of the SUSDEV 21 Study, catches landed in Hong Kong had declined from a peak of just over 90,000 tonnes in 1976 to just over 50,000 tonnes in 1996. In order to enhance fisheries and promote bio-diversity in Hong Kong's marine environment, AFCD has been implementing the artificial reef programme since 1996. The four existing artificial reef deployment sites are located at Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong, Sha Chau and Chek Lap Kok. The effectiveness of the artificial reefs is encouraging that bio-diversity and abundance of commercial fishes found around the artificial reefs are much higher than those observed in nearby natural rocky shore areas. In 1999, the fishing industry in Hong Kong produced an estimated 127,780 tonnes of fresh marine fish, with about 90% of the total catch coming from waters outside Hong Kong.1 Freshwater Supply 10. The Water Supplies Department (WSD) compiles various data on the supply and consumption of freshwater in Hong Kong. The quantity of freshwater supplied and consumed per annum for the period from 1990 to 2000 are shown in the graph below 2. The majority of Hong Kong's freshwater (76% in 2000) is supplied from the Dongjiang River in the Guangdong Province. Text Version
11. Since 1990, the growth rate of the overall water demand has dropped to approximately 0.6% per annum. The reduction in growth rate may be due to the significant decrease in industrial water consumption as a result of the relocation of many industries outside Hong Kong. It is forecast that further reduction in the industrial demand for water will occur as a result of stricter pollution control policies and the availability of cheaper land and labour elsewhere prompting more industries to relocate outside Hong Kong. 12. In 2000, 229 million m3 of seawater was supplied for flushing purposes. Approximately 80% of the population of Hong Kong uses seawater for flushing. This extensive use of seawater has helped to reduce the demand on freshwater for flushing purposes. Solid Waste Disposal 13. The database of solid waste statistics is compiled annually by EPD as part of the Solid Waste Monitoring Programme. According to EPD's "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong 1999", Hong Kong generated 51,468 tonnes of solid waste and reusable materials daily in 1999. About 35% (i.e. 18,040 tpd 3) of the solid waste generated required disposal at landfills, while the remaining 65% (i.e. 33,428 tpd) was recycled and reused. 14. The major types of solid waste requiring disposal were municipal solid waste (MSW) (9,270 tpd) and construction & demolition (C&D) material (7,890 tpd). MSW is further classified into domestic, commercial and industrial wastes. The intake of solid waste for the three strategic landfills in 1999 is given in Table 3 below. Whereas the disposal of solid waste by type from 1990 to 1999 is shown in Table 4 below. Table 3 - Intake of Solid Waste requiring Disposal at Landfills in 1999 C&D Material
Landfill
MSW Intake (tpd)
MSW Intake / Total MSW for disposal
C&D Material Intake (tpd)
Intake / Total C&D material for disposal
WENT
4,340
47%
1,320
17%
NENT
2,600
28%
790
10%
SENT
2,330
25%
5,780
73%
Total
9,270
100%
7,890
100%
Text Version Table 4 Disposal of Major Solid Waste by Types, 1990-1999 Quantity of Waste by Type (tonnes per day) Year
Municipal Solid Waste Domestic Commercial Industrial
Sub-total
C&D (landfilled)
Special (landfilled)
TOTAL
1990
5,460
380
1,270
7,100
8,450
360
15,920
1991
5,560
400
1,430
7,390
16,380
340
24,110
1992
5,760
460
1,710
7,930
11,960
320
20,210
1993
6,000
570
1,880
8,450
11,520
250
20,220
1994
6,070
700
1,660
8,430
15,480
390
24,300
1995
6,210
520
1,060
7,790
14,120
350
22,260
1996
6,260
1,090
800
8,140
7,520
490
16,150
1997
6,760
1,220
700
8,680
6,480
620
15,780
1998
6,820
1,290
620
8,730
7,030
790
16,560
1999
7,430
1,250
590
9,270
7,890
880
18,040
Remark: Figures are rounded off to the nearest 10 tpd and may not add up to the total due to rounding-off. 15. Domestic waste showed a continuous increasing disposal trend over the last decade. Its quantity was primarily dependent on population which also increased steadily during that period. For the other waste types, their quantities were affected by the territory's economic and construction activities. The generation rate of domestic waste in 1999 was 1.06 kg per person per day, about 4% higher than that of 1998. The generation rate of commercial & industrial (C&I) waste was 0.59 kg per employee per day in 1999, taking account of the total employment size in the territory. 16. As regards waste recovery, 4,208 tonnes of recyclable materials in the MSW were recovered daily (about 31% of the total MSW generated in Hong Kong). The major recyclable materials were paper (44%), ferrous metals (35%), plastics (10%) and nonferrous metals (5%). 17. The amount of C&D material intake at landfills rose drastically between 1990 and 1991, and maintained at high levels throughout the first half of the last decade. The substantial reduction after 1995 was a result of joint effort amongst government departments in providing new barging points and public filling outlets for inert C&D material and promoting the reuse of the material, as well as support from the construction trade. In 1999, 29,220 tonnes of inert C&D materials were reused daily for land formation (about 79% of the total C&D materials generated). As a result of continuous diversion of inert C&D material to public filling areas, the overall intake of C&D materials at all landfills was only 44% of the total waste landfilled in 1999, comparing with about 64% in 1994 and 1995. 18. A study commissioned in early 2000 has forecasted that the quantities of domestic waste and C&I waste for year 2016 are 13,190 and 2,540 tpd respectively. Accordingly, the generation rate of domestic waste in 2016 will be 1.48 kg/person/day and the generation rate of C&I waste will be 0.58 kg/employee/day. Wastewater Treatment 19. Wastewater is the main cause of water pollution in Hong Kong. Sewage is wastewater produced by people, and comes from homes, offices, restaurants and factories. Wastewater is also discharged from livestock farms. Runoff from urban areas and from fertilised fields in rural areas also contributes to water pollution. The degree of treatment and the final discharge method and location determine whether wastewater causes adverse impacts. Most of our wastewater is collected in sewers and is then screened and degritted to remove large solids prior to discharge via purpose-designed outfalls. Some also receive treatment to remove organic material. 20. Everyday, the people of Hong Kong produce some 2.2 million m3 of sewage. About 95% of the population are now served by the public sewerage system with over 98% of the sewage produced being collected and treated. The remaining 5% are located in remote areas that are not connected to the public sewers. They have their own self-supporting sewage treatment system. 21. The amount of sewage which receives treatment has increased from 385 million m3 in 1989 to 858 million m3 in 2000. In
addition, polluted flows have been intercepted in many sensitive areas and the capacity of the sewerage system has been enhanced. The volume of sewage which receives high levels of treatment has also increased from 83 million m3 receiving secondary treatment in 1989 to 280 million m3 receiving secondary or chemically enhanced primary treatment in 2000. The volume of sewage receiving secondary or chemically enhanced primary treatment will further increase to about 600 million m3 when the first stage of the harbour area system is completed.4 22. To cope with the continuous growth of population and to improve the water quality of the Victoria Harbour, the Administration decided to implement the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) (renamed from the previous Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme in March 2001). 5 The concept of the HATS is to upgrade the existing preliminary treatment works (PTWs) around the Victoria Harbour and to collect the screened sewage from these PTWs mainly via deep, tunnelled interceptions for delivery to one or more centralised treatment facilities before discharge to the sea. 23. HATS Stage I consists of a 23.6 km long deep tunnel conveyance systems which will convey sewage collected from northeastern areas of Hong Kong Island and the whole urban area of Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Ching to Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works where the sewage will be chemically treated. After treatment, the effluent will be disposed of via a 1.7 km submarine outfall to the western approaches of the Victoria Harbour. Upon completion of the Stage I works by the end of 2001, 70% of sewage discharging into the harbour will be intercepted and treated prior to disposal. Minerals and Energy Resources 24. Hong Kong is dependent upon imports of minerals and aggregates for construction activities and fossil fuels as a source of energy for transport and electricity generation. 25. There are four quarries currently operating in Hong Kong: Anderson Road, Shek O, Lamma and Lam Tei quarries. 6 These quarries produce about 50% of local aggregates requirements, in the range of 6 to 9 million tonnes per annum. The remaining 50% is imported from the Mainland quarries located on islands to the south and west of Hong Kong. Besides aggregates, local quarries also produce fines and other rock products which include mainly road sub-base, crushed/screened fill, armour rock (for seawall construction), etc. In 2000, about 8.5 million tonnes of aggregates and other rock products were produced from local quarries. 26. Electricity is mainly supplied from two coal-fired steam power stations at Lamma Island and Castle Peak, as well as the combined-cycle gas turbines fired by natural gas at Black Point. The fuels for these plants are mostly imported from Indonesia, Australia, the Mainland and South Africa. In addition, China Light and Power purchases about 70% of the electricity produced by the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station in Guangdong. Hong Kong is also supplied with Towngas that is manufactured locally, and LPG which is imported by sea. 27. Hong Kong's Final Energy Requirements (FER) in 2000 has increased by 82% compared with 1989. FER-per-capita has risen by 52% and FER-per-$GDP fell by 13% over the same period. The total energy consumption is projected to increase by 30% between now and 2010 under a business-as-usual scenario. Ecological Resources Capital Stock Terrestrial Ecological Resources 28. Hong Kong's terrestrial habitats consist of a wide variety of ecological communities which host a surprisingly diverse array of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, invertebrates and plants. Grasslands, lowland forests and mixed scrublands are the most extensive terrestrial habitat types, comprising about 23%, 16% and 15% respectively of the total terrestrial area of Hong Kong. 29. SUSDEV 21 Study has identified that the most ecologically important terrestrial habitats are mainly composed of forest and shrub land habitats (including fung shui forest), comprising almost 90% of the total area of high ecological value. Other habitats including inland water (wetland and natural watercourses) and coastal habitats (including mangrove and intertidal mudflat) which cover less than 4% of the total land area of Hong Kong. 30. There are now 23 Country Parks and 15 Special Areas (11 of which lie inside the Parks) in Hong Kong (Figure 1 refers), covering 41,582 ha of land and water surface of reservoirs, amounting to around 38% of the total area of Hong Kong. A study completed in April 1999 found that Tung Lung Chau, Po Toi Islands and South Lamma all have the potential to be designated as country parks in view of their landscape, conservation and recreational values. A study to gather physical and ecological baseline information of the proposed Lantau North (Extension) Country Park was completed in September 2000. The proposed country park is expected to be designated in early 2002. Marine Ecological Resources 31. There are 3 Marine Parks (Yan Tong Chau, Hoi Ha Wan and Sha Chau/ Lung Kwu Chau) and a Marine Reserve (Cape d'Aguilar) which occupy 1.5% of Hong Kong's marine waters (Figure 1 refers). The studies to assess the suitability of four sites at Tung Ping Chau, Shelter Island, South Lamma and Southwest Lantau for designation as marine parks were completed in mid-1999. According to AFCD, preparation work to designate the sea area around Tung Ping Chau as the 4th marine park started in 1999 with a view to its designation in 2001.7 Assimilative Capacity Capital Stock Assimilative Capacity of Air and Noise 32. The assimilative capacity of the territory's air is limited by a number of topographical and meteorological factors such as the prevailing north-easterly winds (70% of the year), confined air sheds that restrict dispersion of pollutants, and limited air circulation in urban areas due to density of high rise buildings ("street canyon" effect). 33. Longer term trends in air pollutants projected by EPD show increases in annual average concentrations of NO2, decreases in SO2, and consistently high levels of particulates with both Total Suspended Particulates (TSPs) and Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSPs) being close to their respective Air Quality Objective (AQO) limits. Rising levels of ozone, which contributes
to photochemical smog, is also of concern. 34. Poor air quality at many roadside locations has been attributed to vehicle emissions, and levels of NO2 and RSPs are particularly high in the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Much of the particulate pollution in these locations can be attributed to the large stock of diesel vehicles on the roads. 35. The Government has adopted an integrated motor vehicle emission control strategy which has 5 major elements:
clean alternatives to diesel vehicles; stringent vehicle emission and fuel standards; strengthened emission inspection; strengthened enforcement against smoky vehicles; and education and publicity.
36. In the 1999 Policy Address, the Government announced a proposal to provide one-off grant to encourage diesel taxi owners to replace their diesel taxis with LPG ones. The taxis grant scheme commenced in 2000, and by the end of May 2001 more than 8,000 diesel taxis 8 had been replaced with LPG ones. 37. Noticeable improvement in the air quality was observed in 2000. Compared with 1999, the overall annual concentrations of RSP and NO2 in the air reduced by 8% and 6% respectively in 2000. The decreasing trend was more apparent from August 2000 onwards when a number of key measures including the provision of grant for replacement of diesel taxis, particulate trap installation programme and introduction of ULSD were put in place. Between August and December 2000, the RSP and NO2 levels dropped by 13% and 10% respectively compared with the same period in 1999. It is expected to see continued improving trend in the air quality in the coming few years upon full implementation of the control measures. 38. Although annual greenhouse gas emissions in Hong Kong has been decreasing since 1995, projections in the Greenhouse Gas Emission Control Study (yet to be officially endorsed) suggest that emissions are likely to increase again from 2000 onwards as a result of projected expanding population and growing economic activities. Based on a forecast annual GDP growth rate of 3.5%, we expect that total greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 would be 34% higher than the 1990 level. 39. Noise is also a prominent environmental issue in Hong Kong. EPD estimates that around 1 million people are exposed to excessive noise, principally generated from road traffic sources. To address traffic noise impact of existing roads on affected residents, where technically feasible, noise barriers/enclosures will be retrofitted on existing excessively noisy roads, and low noise surfacing materials will be used to repave other roads. Assimilative Capacity of Marine Waters 40. The assimilative capacity of marine waters in Hong Kong is affected by marine currents, discharges of freshwater from the Pearl River and high-energy events such as typhoons. Natural assimilative capacity may be reduced by pollutant inputs (e.g. untreated sewage discharges, inputs from rivers containing agricultural wastes and fertilisers and illegal dumping etc.) and physical works such as reclamation. 41. SUSDEV 21 Study assessed the assimilative capacity by comparing pollutant levels with Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) for the 10 Water Control Zones (WCZs) in Hong Kong (Figure 2 refers). Data reviewed by SUSDEV 21 Study showed improvement in average compliance with WQOs for Tolo Harbour, Port Shelter, Mirs Bay and Victoria Harbour WCZs over recent years. However, there was a decline in compliance levels for the Deep Bay and Junk Bay zones which experienced low dissolved oxygen levels. 42. Surveys of toxic organic compounds indicated that waters off North Point and south of Tsing Yi could be classified as moderately contaminated based on the total DDT levels. Typhoon shelter sediments are found to be particularly contaminated. 43. The review conducted under SUSDEV 21 Study observed that there had been a decline in beach water quality from 1992 to 1995, those beaches with comparatively unsatisfactory water quality were mostly located in Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun districts. However, the number of gazetted beaches rated as 'good' and 'fair' had increased from 59% in 1995 to 85% in 1999. The 85% compliance rate was the highest over the past 15 years and had been maintained since 1999. Assimilative Capacity of Freshwater Systems 44. The natural assimilative capacity of Hong Kong's rivers and streams is influenced by their physical, chemical and biological characteristics, as well as by the input pollutants and physical impacts such as river course modifications and abstraction of water for irrigation. 45. River Water Quality Index (WQI) data for the last 10 years show that river water quality has sustained a territory-wide improvement with fewer than 11% out of the 82 monitoring stations recording 'Bad' or 'Very Bad' water quality in 2000. 46. The rivers that are least compliant with WQOs are found within the Deep Bay WCZ where watercourses receive high organic pollutant inputs from sewage, livestock waste and industrial effluents. Heritage Functions Capital Stock 47. SUSDEV 21 Study has defined heritage resources as those sites which contain archaeological, historical and religious value. Based on existing available information held by the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO), the heritage baseline resources comprise 67 declared monuments, 8 deemed monuments, 443 graded historical buildings and structures and a further 184 Sites of Specific Archaeological Interest (SSAI). However, only declared monuments are afforded legal protection from damage or destruction. 48. Apart from legal framework, there are administrative mechanisms intended to provide some additional protection to buildings and sites of historical, palaeontological or archaeological interest. In other words, the Government has administrative procedures which require consideration to be given to the preservation of these sites and structures. 49. Out of the current listing of 67 declared monuments recorded by AMO as at 1 August 1999, 17 monuments are classified as archaeological sites which are shown in Table 5 below. The distribution of the 17 declared monuments and 184 archaeological sites is shown in Figure 3. Subject to the availability of results from a recent Hong Kong-wide survey of Archaeological
Resources, the baseline will be updated accordingly. It is expected that approximately 200-300 additional archaeological sites will be included. Table 5 - List of Declared Monuments Classified as Archaeological Sites as of 1 August 1999 No.
Declared Monument Classified as Archaeological Sites
Declaration Date
1.
Rock Carving at Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island
13 Oct 1978
2.
Rock Carving at Kau Sai Chau
26 Jan 1979
3.
Rock Carving at Tung Lung Chau
26 Jan 1979
4.
Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay
26 Jan 1979
5.
Rock Carving at Shek Pik, Lantau Island
27 Apr 1979
6.
Rock Carving at Po Toi Island
27 Apr 1979
7.
Tung Chung Fort, Lantau Island
24 Aug 1979
8.
Tung Lung Fort
25 Jul 1980
9.
Fan Lau Fort, Lantau Island
13 Nov 1981
10.
Sheung Yiu Village, Sai Kung
13 Nov 1981
11.
Rock Carving at Cheung Chau
22 Jan 1982
12.
Rock Carving at Lung Ha Wan, Clear Water Bay Peninsula
4 Mar 1983
13.
Remains of Pottery Kiln, Wun Yiu Village, Tai Po
15 Apr 1983
14.
Stone Circle at Fan Lau, Lantau Island
15 Apr 1983
15.
Tung Chung Battery, Lantau Island
11 Nov 1983
16.
Rock Carving at Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Island
15 Jun 1984
17.
Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, Sham Shui Po
16 Dec 1988
50. For the baseline information on cultural and historical sites, buildings and monuments, a detailed account is given in a separate working paper entitled "Built Heritage Preservation". 51. Moreover, the Home Affairs Bureau is currently reviewing the heritage policy and related legislation for better protection of historical buildings and archaeological sites.
ATTACHMENTS Figure 1 : Locations of Existing Country Parks, Marine Parks/Reserves, Mai Po Ramsar Site and SSSIs in Hong Kong Figure 2 : Water Control Zones in Hong Kong Figure 3 : Locations of Declared Monuments and Known Archaeological Sites in Hong Kong
FOOTNOTES 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
Source: AFCD web site at http://www.afcd.gov.hk/web/english/fisheries/fish/manage.htm Source: WSD tpd = tonnes per day Source: "Government's Initial Response to the Report of the International Review Panel on Sewage Treatment for the Harbour Area" at http://info.gov.hk/cleanharbour/annex_i_background_treating_hong_kong_sewage.htm Recommendations of the Independent Review Panel (IRP) on the then Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme are detailed in a separate paper entitled "Requirements for Major Strategic Facilities". The Lam Tei, Lamma, Shek O and Anderson Road quarry contracts will be completed in December 2001, December 2002, December 2005 and December 2013 respectively. AFCD Annual Report 1999-2000. The vehicle fleet of taxis in Hong Kong is about 18,000.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT JANUARY 2002 Note: This paper was prepared based on information available in August 2001.
Figure 1: Location of Existing Parks, Marine Parks/Reserves, Mai Po Ramsar Site and SSSIs in Hong Kong
Figure 2: Water Control Zones in Hong Kong
Figure 2: Location of Declared Monuments and known Archaeological Sites in Hong Kong
ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS Natural Resources Capital Stock Land Supply 4. Hong Kong has a total land area of about 1,099 km2. However, land suitable for development in Hong Kong is extremely limited due to topographical constraints and that the existing land uses have occupied most of the developable land in the metropolitan areas. 5. Table 1 below summarises the broad land use pattern in Hong Kong whereas Table 2 shows the type of uses of the developed lands within the territory. Table 1 - Broad Land Use Pattern in Hong Kong Area (km2)
%
Woodland/Shrubland/Grassland
741.17
67.4%
Developed lands
229.84
20.9%
Farmland, fish ponds & livestock farms
69.7
6.3%
Reservoirs & streams/nullahs
28.46
2.6%
Barren Land (badland, quarries & rocky shore)
23.58
2.1%
Swamp & mangrove
6.44
0.6%
1099.19
100%
Land Use Categories
Total
Table 2 - Usage of Developed Lands in Hong Kong Area (km2)
%
Housing
66.94
29.1%
Roads/Railways/Airport
49.49
21.5%
Vacant development land/ construction in progress
27.21
11.8%
Other urban or built-up land (incl. cemeteries/crematoriums, public utilities)
24.25
10.6%
G/IC
19.96
8.7%
Industrial (incl. warehouse & storage)
19.7
8.6%
Open space
19.41
8.4%
Commercial
2.88
1.3%
229.84
100%
Land Usage
Total
Source: Final Report of the Consultancy Study to Analyse Broad Land Use Pattern of Hong Kong (Table 5.4), PlanD, April 2001.
Agriculture and Fisheries Resources 6. In common with many other major cities of the world, Hong Kong's agriculture and fisheries resources do not fully support local demand for fresh foodstuffs. Only 7% of fresh vegetable and 6% of freshwater fish were produced locally in 2000. 7. The area of cultivated lands (excluding fish ponds) in Hong Kong has declined by more than 50% between 1954 and 2000. Of the remaining 2,710 ha in production in 2000, the majority is used for fish farming (47%) and market gardening (30%). 8. In Hong Kong aquaculture includes inland pond fish culture, marine fish culture and oyster culture. In 1999, production from the aquaculture sector was 5,807 tonnes which was 4 per cent in weight of the total fisheries production. Amongst which, a majority of the production (77%) was freshwater fish reared in local inland ponds. 9. In recent years, overfishing and coastal developments have resulted in a drastic decline in fisheries resources in Hong Kong waters. According to the baseline data of the SUSDEV 21 Study, catches landed in Hong Kong had declined from a peak of just over 90,000 tonnes in 1976 to just over 50,000 tonnes in 1996. In order to enhance fisheries and promote bio-diversity in Hong Kong's marine environment, AFCD has been implementing the artificial reef programme since 1996. The four existing artificial reef deployment sites are located at Hoi Ha Wan, Yan Chau Tong, Sha Chau and Chek Lap Kok. The effectiveness of the artificial reefs is encouraging that bio-diversity and abundance of commercial fishes found around the artificial reefs are much higher than those observed in nearby natural rocky shore areas. In 1999, the fishing industry in Hong Kong produced an estimated 127,780 tonnes of fresh marine fish, with about 90% of the total catch coming from waters outside Hong Kong.1 Freshwater Supply 10. The Water Supplies Department (WSD) compiles various data on the supply and consumption of freshwater in Hong Kong. The quantity of freshwater supplied and consumed per annum for the period from 1990 to 2000 are shown in the graph below 2. The majority of Hong Kong's freshwater (76% in 2000) is supplied from the Dongjiang River in the Guangdong Province. Text Version
11. Since 1990, the growth rate of the overall water demand has dropped to approximately 0.6% per annum. The reduction in growth rate may be due to the significant decrease in industrial water consumption as a result of the relocation of many industries outside Hong Kong. It is forecast that further reduction in the industrial demand for water will occur as a result of stricter pollution control policies and the availability of cheaper land and labour elsewhere prompting more industries to relocate outside Hong Kong. 12. In 2000, 229 million m3 of seawater was supplied for flushing purposes. Approximately 80% of the population of Hong Kong uses seawater for flushing. This extensive use of seawater has helped to reduce the demand on freshwater for flushing purposes. Solid Waste Disposal 13. The database of solid waste statistics is compiled annually by EPD as part of the Solid Waste Monitoring Programme. According to EPD's "Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong 1999", Hong Kong generated 51,468 tonnes of solid waste and reusable materials daily in 1999. About 35% (i.e. 18,040 tpd 3) of the solid waste generated required disposal at landfills, while the remaining 65% (i.e. 33,428 tpd) was recycled and reused. 14. The major types of solid waste requiring disposal were municipal solid waste (MSW) (9,270 tpd) and construction & demolition (C&D) material (7,890 tpd). MSW is further classified into domestic, commercial and industrial wastes. The intake of solid waste for the three strategic landfills in 1999 is given in Table 3 below. Whereas the disposal of solid waste by type from 1990 to 1999 is shown in Table 4 below. Table 3 - Intake of Solid Waste requiring Disposal at Landfills in 1999 C&D Material
Landfill
MSW Intake (tpd)
MSW Intake / Total MSW for disposal
C&D Material Intake (tpd)
Intake / Total C&D material for disposal
WENT
4,340
47%
1,320
17%
NENT
2,600
28%
790
10%
SENT
2,330
25%
5,780
73%
Total
9,270
100%
7,890
100%
Text Version Table 4 Disposal of Major Solid Waste by Types, 1990-1999 Quantity of Waste by Type (tonnes per day) Year
Municipal Solid Waste Domestic Commercial Industrial
Sub-total
C&D (landfilled)
Special (landfilled)
TOTAL
1990
5,460
380
1,270
7,100
8,450
360
15,920
1991
5,560
400
1,430
7,390
16,380
340
24,110
1992
5,760
460
1,710
7,930
11,960
320
20,210
1993
6,000
570
1,880
8,450
11,520
250
20,220
1994
6,070
700
1,660
8,430
15,480
390
24,300
1995
6,210
520
1,060
7,790
14,120
350
22,260
1996
6,260
1,090
800
8,140
7,520
490
16,150
1997
6,760
1,220
700
8,680
6,480
620
15,780
1998
6,820
1,290
620
8,730
7,030
790
16,560
1999
7,430
1,250
590
9,270
7,890
880
18,040
Remark: Figures are rounded off to the nearest 10 tpd and may not add up to the total due to rounding-off. 15. Domestic waste showed a continuous increasing disposal trend over the last decade. Its quantity was primarily dependent on population which also increased steadily during that period. For the other waste types, their quantities were affected by the territory's economic and construction activities. The generation rate of domestic waste in 1999 was 1.06 kg per person per day, about 4% higher than that of 1998. The generation rate of commercial & industrial (C&I) waste was 0.59 kg per employee per day in 1999, taking account of the total employment size in the territory. 16. As regards waste recovery, 4,208 tonnes of recyclable materials in the MSW were recovered daily (about 31% of the total MSW generated in Hong Kong). The major recyclable materials were paper (44%), ferrous metals (35%), plastics (10%) and nonferrous metals (5%). 17. The amount of C&D material intake at landfills rose drastically between 1990 and 1991, and maintained at high levels throughout the first half of the last decade. The substantial reduction after 1995 was a result of joint effort amongst government departments in providing new barging points and public filling outlets for inert C&D material and promoting the reuse of the material, as well as support from the construction trade. In 1999, 29,220 tonnes of inert C&D materials were reused daily for land formation (about 79% of the total C&D materials generated). As a result of continuous diversion of inert C&D material to public filling areas, the overall intake of C&D materials at all landfills was only 44% of the total waste landfilled in 1999, comparing with about 64% in 1994 and 1995. 18. A study commissioned in early 2000 has forecasted that the quantities of domestic waste and C&I waste for year 2016 are 13,190 and 2,540 tpd respectively. Accordingly, the generation rate of domestic waste in 2016 will be 1.48 kg/person/day and the generation rate of C&I waste will be 0.58 kg/employee/day. Wastewater Treatment 19. Wastewater is the main cause of water pollution in Hong Kong. Sewage is wastewater produced by people, and comes from homes, offices, restaurants and factories. Wastewater is also discharged from livestock farms. Runoff from urban areas and from fertilised fields in rural areas also contributes to water pollution. The degree of treatment and the final discharge method and location determine whether wastewater causes adverse impacts. Most of our wastewater is collected in sewers and is then screened and degritted to remove large solids prior to discharge via purpose-designed outfalls. Some also receive treatment to remove organic material. 20. Everyday, the people of Hong Kong produce some 2.2 million m3 of sewage. About 95% of the population are now served by the public sewerage system with over 98% of the sewage produced being collected and treated. The remaining 5% are located in remote areas that are not connected to the public sewers. They have their own self-supporting sewage treatment system. 21. The amount of sewage which receives treatment has increased from 385 million m3 in 1989 to 858 million m3 in 2000. In
addition, polluted flows have been intercepted in many sensitive areas and the capacity of the sewerage system has been enhanced. The volume of sewage which receives high levels of treatment has also increased from 83 million m3 receiving secondary treatment in 1989 to 280 million m3 receiving secondary or chemically enhanced primary treatment in 2000. The volume of sewage receiving secondary or chemically enhanced primary treatment will further increase to about 600 million m3 when the first stage of the harbour area system is completed.4 22. To cope with the continuous growth of population and to improve the water quality of the Victoria Harbour, the Administration decided to implement the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS) (renamed from the previous Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme in March 2001). 5 The concept of the HATS is to upgrade the existing preliminary treatment works (PTWs) around the Victoria Harbour and to collect the screened sewage from these PTWs mainly via deep, tunnelled interceptions for delivery to one or more centralised treatment facilities before discharge to the sea. 23. HATS Stage I consists of a 23.6 km long deep tunnel conveyance systems which will convey sewage collected from northeastern areas of Hong Kong Island and the whole urban area of Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Ching to Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works where the sewage will be chemically treated. After treatment, the effluent will be disposed of via a 1.7 km submarine outfall to the western approaches of the Victoria Harbour. Upon completion of the Stage I works by the end of 2001, 70% of sewage discharging into the harbour will be intercepted and treated prior to disposal. Minerals and Energy Resources 24. Hong Kong is dependent upon imports of minerals and aggregates for construction activities and fossil fuels as a source of energy for transport and electricity generation. 25. There are four quarries currently operating in Hong Kong: Anderson Road, Shek O, Lamma and Lam Tei quarries. 6 These quarries produce about 50% of local aggregates requirements, in the range of 6 to 9 million tonnes per annum. The remaining 50% is imported from the Mainland quarries located on islands to the south and west of Hong Kong. Besides aggregates, local quarries also produce fines and other rock products which include mainly road sub-base, crushed/screened fill, armour rock (for seawall construction), etc. In 2000, about 8.5 million tonnes of aggregates and other rock products were produced from local quarries. 26. Electricity is mainly supplied from two coal-fired steam power stations at Lamma Island and Castle Peak, as well as the combined-cycle gas turbines fired by natural gas at Black Point. The fuels for these plants are mostly imported from Indonesia, Australia, the Mainland and South Africa. In addition, China Light and Power purchases about 70% of the electricity produced by the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station in Guangdong. Hong Kong is also supplied with Towngas that is manufactured locally, and LPG which is imported by sea. 27. Hong Kong's Final Energy Requirements (FER) in 2000 has increased by 82% compared with 1989. FER-per-capita has risen by 52% and FER-per-$GDP fell by 13% over the same period. The total energy consumption is projected to increase by 30% between now and 2010 under a business-as-usual scenario. Ecological Resources Capital Stock Terrestrial Ecological Resources 28. Hong Kong's terrestrial habitats consist of a wide variety of ecological communities which host a surprisingly diverse array of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, invertebrates and plants. Grasslands, lowland forests and mixed scrublands are the most extensive terrestrial habitat types, comprising about 23%, 16% and 15% respectively of the total terrestrial area of Hong Kong. 29. SUSDEV 21 Study has identified that the most ecologically important terrestrial habitats are mainly composed of forest and shrub land habitats (including fung shui forest), comprising almost 90% of the total area of high ecological value. Other habitats including inland water (wetland and natural watercourses) and coastal habitats (including mangrove and intertidal mudflat) which cover less than 4% of the total land area of Hong Kong. 30. There are now 23 Country Parks and 15 Special Areas (11 of which lie inside the Parks) in Hong Kong (Figure 1 refers), covering 41,582 ha of land and water surface of reservoirs, amounting to around 38% of the total area of Hong Kong. A study completed in April 1999 found that Tung Lung Chau, Po Toi Islands and South Lamma all have the potential to be designated as country parks in view of their landscape, conservation and recreational values. A study to gather physical and ecological baseline information of the proposed Lantau North (Extension) Country Park was completed in September 2000. The proposed country park is expected to be designated in early 2002. Marine Ecological Resources 31. There are 3 Marine Parks (Yan Tong Chau, Hoi Ha Wan and Sha Chau/ Lung Kwu Chau) and a Marine Reserve (Cape d'Aguilar) which occupy 1.5% of Hong Kong's marine waters (Figure 1 refers). The studies to assess the suitability of four sites at Tung Ping Chau, Shelter Island, South Lamma and Southwest Lantau for designation as marine parks were completed in mid-1999. According to AFCD, preparation work to designate the sea area around Tung Ping Chau as the 4th marine park started in 1999 with a view to its designation in 2001.7 Assimilative Capacity Capital Stock Assimilative Capacity of Air and Noise 32. The assimilative capacity of the territory's air is limited by a number of topographical and meteorological factors such as the prevailing north-easterly winds (70% of the year), confined air sheds that restrict dispersion of pollutants, and limited air circulation in urban areas due to density of high rise buildings ("street canyon" effect). 33. Longer term trends in air pollutants projected by EPD show increases in annual average concentrations of NO2, decreases in SO2, and consistently high levels of particulates with both Total Suspended Particulates (TSPs) and Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSPs) being close to their respective Air Quality Objective (AQO) limits. Rising levels of ozone, which contributes
to photochemical smog, is also of concern. 34. Poor air quality at many roadside locations has been attributed to vehicle emissions, and levels of NO2 and RSPs are particularly high in the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Much of the particulate pollution in these locations can be attributed to the large stock of diesel vehicles on the roads. 35. The Government has adopted an integrated motor vehicle emission control strategy which has 5 major elements:
clean alternatives to diesel vehicles; stringent vehicle emission and fuel standards; strengthened emission inspection; strengthened enforcement against smoky vehicles; and education and publicity.
36. In the 1999 Policy Address, the Government announced a proposal to provide one-off grant to encourage diesel taxi owners to replace their diesel taxis with LPG ones. The taxis grant scheme commenced in 2000, and by the end of May 2001 more than 8,000 diesel taxis 8 had been replaced with LPG ones. 37. Noticeable improvement in the air quality was observed in 2000. Compared with 1999, the overall annual concentrations of RSP and NO2 in the air reduced by 8% and 6% respectively in 2000. The decreasing trend was more apparent from August 2000 onwards when a number of key measures including the provision of grant for replacement of diesel taxis, particulate trap installation programme and introduction of ULSD were put in place. Between August and December 2000, the RSP and NO2 levels dropped by 13% and 10% respectively compared with the same period in 1999. It is expected to see continued improving trend in the air quality in the coming few years upon full implementation of the control measures. 38. Although annual greenhouse gas emissions in Hong Kong has been decreasing since 1995, projections in the Greenhouse Gas Emission Control Study (yet to be officially endorsed) suggest that emissions are likely to increase again from 2000 onwards as a result of projected expanding population and growing economic activities. Based on a forecast annual GDP growth rate of 3.5%, we expect that total greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 would be 34% higher than the 1990 level. 39. Noise is also a prominent environmental issue in Hong Kong. EPD estimates that around 1 million people are exposed to excessive noise, principally generated from road traffic sources. To address traffic noise impact of existing roads on affected residents, where technically feasible, noise barriers/enclosures will be retrofitted on existing excessively noisy roads, and low noise surfacing materials will be used to repave other roads. Assimilative Capacity of Marine Waters 40. The assimilative capacity of marine waters in Hong Kong is affected by marine currents, discharges of freshwater from the Pearl River and high-energy events such as typhoons. Natural assimilative capacity may be reduced by pollutant inputs (e.g. untreated sewage discharges, inputs from rivers containing agricultural wastes and fertilisers and illegal dumping etc.) and physical works such as reclamation. 41. SUSDEV 21 Study assessed the assimilative capacity by comparing pollutant levels with Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) for the 10 Water Control Zones (WCZs) in Hong Kong (Figure 2 refers). Data reviewed by SUSDEV 21 Study showed improvement in average compliance with WQOs for Tolo Harbour, Port Shelter, Mirs Bay and Victoria Harbour WCZs over recent years. However, there was a decline in compliance levels for the Deep Bay and Junk Bay zones which experienced low dissolved oxygen levels. 42. Surveys of toxic organic compounds indicated that waters off North Point and south of Tsing Yi could be classified as moderately contaminated based on the total DDT levels. Typhoon shelter sediments are found to be particularly contaminated. 43. The review conducted under SUSDEV 21 Study observed that there had been a decline in beach water quality from 1992 to 1995, those beaches with comparatively unsatisfactory water quality were mostly located in Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun districts. However, the number of gazetted beaches rated as 'good' and 'fair' had increased from 59% in 1995 to 85% in 1999. The 85% compliance rate was the highest over the past 15 years and had been maintained since 1999. Assimilative Capacity of Freshwater Systems 44. The natural assimilative capacity of Hong Kong's rivers and streams is influenced by their physical, chemical and biological characteristics, as well as by the input pollutants and physical impacts such as river course modifications and abstraction of water for irrigation. 45. River Water Quality Index (WQI) data for the last 10 years show that river water quality has sustained a territory-wide improvement with fewer than 11% out of the 82 monitoring stations recording 'Bad' or 'Very Bad' water quality in 2000. 46. The rivers that are least compliant with WQOs are found within the Deep Bay WCZ where watercourses receive high organic pollutant inputs from sewage, livestock waste and industrial effluents. Heritage Functions Capital Stock 47. SUSDEV 21 Study has defined heritage resources as those sites which contain archaeological, historical and religious value. Based on existing available information held by the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO), the heritage baseline resources comprise 67 declared monuments, 8 deemed monuments, 443 graded historical buildings and structures and a further 184 Sites of Specific Archaeological Interest (SSAI). However, only declared monuments are afforded legal protection from damage or destruction. 48. Apart from legal framework, there are administrative mechanisms intended to provide some additional protection to buildings and sites of historical, palaeontological or archaeological interest. In other words, the Government has administrative procedures which require consideration to be given to the preservation of these sites and structures. 49. Out of the current listing of 67 declared monuments recorded by AMO as at 1 August 1999, 17 monuments are classified as archaeological sites which are shown in Table 5 below. The distribution of the 17 declared monuments and 184 archaeological sites is shown in Figure 3. Subject to the availability of results from a recent Hong Kong-wide survey of Archaeological
Resources, the baseline will be updated accordingly. It is expected that approximately 200-300 additional archaeological sites will be included. Table 5 - List of Declared Monuments Classified as Archaeological Sites as of 1 August 1999 No.
Declared Monument Classified as Archaeological Sites
Declaration Date
1.
Rock Carving at Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island
13 Oct 1978
2.
Rock Carving at Kau Sai Chau
26 Jan 1979
3.
Rock Carving at Tung Lung Chau
26 Jan 1979
4.
Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay
26 Jan 1979
5.
Rock Carving at Shek Pik, Lantau Island
27 Apr 1979
6.
Rock Carving at Po Toi Island
27 Apr 1979
7.
Tung Chung Fort, Lantau Island
24 Aug 1979
8.
Tung Lung Fort
25 Jul 1980
9.
Fan Lau Fort, Lantau Island
13 Nov 1981
10.
Sheung Yiu Village, Sai Kung
13 Nov 1981
11.
Rock Carving at Cheung Chau
22 Jan 1982
12.
Rock Carving at Lung Ha Wan, Clear Water Bay Peninsula
4 Mar 1983
13.
Remains of Pottery Kiln, Wun Yiu Village, Tai Po
15 Apr 1983
14.
Stone Circle at Fan Lau, Lantau Island
15 Apr 1983
15.
Tung Chung Battery, Lantau Island
11 Nov 1983
16.
Rock Carving at Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Island
15 Jun 1984
17.
Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, Sham Shui Po
16 Dec 1988
50. For the baseline information on cultural and historical sites, buildings and monuments, a detailed account is given in a separate working paper entitled "Built Heritage Preservation". 51. Moreover, the Home Affairs Bureau is currently reviewing the heritage policy and related legislation for better protection of historical buildings and archaeological sites.
ATTACHMENTS Figure 1 : Locations of Existing Country Parks, Marine Parks/Reserves, Mai Po Ramsar Site and SSSIs in Hong Kong Figure 2 : Water Control Zones in Hong Kong Figure 3 : Locations of Declared Monuments and Known Archaeological Sites in Hong Kong
FOOTNOTES 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
Source: AFCD web site at http://www.afcd.gov.hk/web/english/fisheries/fish/manage.htm Source: WSD tpd = tonnes per day Source: "Government's Initial Response to the Report of the International Review Panel on Sewage Treatment for the Harbour Area" at http://info.gov.hk/cleanharbour/annex_i_background_treating_hong_kong_sewage.htm Recommendations of the Independent Review Panel (IRP) on the then Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme are detailed in a separate paper entitled "Requirements for Major Strategic Facilities". The Lam Tei, Lamma, Shek O and Anderson Road quarry contracts will be completed in December 2001, December 2002, December 2005 and December 2013 respectively. AFCD Annual Report 1999-2000. The vehicle fleet of taxis in Hong Kong is about 18,000.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT JANUARY 2002 Note: This paper was prepared based on information available in August 2001.
Figure 1: Location of Existing Parks, Marine Parks/Reserves, Mai Po Ramsar Site and SSSIs in Hong Kong
Figure 2: Water Control Zones in Hong Kong
Figure 2: Location of Declared Monuments and known Archaeological Sites in Hong Kong
