政府今日（十一月二日）就建議立法推行停車熄匙計劃展開公眾諮詢。

環境局局長邱騰華解釋政府的建議時表示：「社會大眾十分關注空氣污染問題，政府有決心採取一切必要的措施，改善空氣質素。」

「香港道路交通密度高，加上市區人煙稠密，使汽車排放的污染物不能消散，積聚於路邊。」

邱騰華說：「部分駕駛者為求舒適，在停車等候期間不關掉引擎，以享受車廂內的空調。這些車輛會釋出熱氣和廢氣，滋擾附近的行人及店鋪，做成的問題在高空氣污染的日子和夏季尤為顯著。」

他說：「停車不熄匙會虛耗燃料，同時加速引擎機油和機件的耗損。停車熄匙對環境及車主都有好處。」

他補充：「儘管停車熄匙會對駕駛者和乘客帶來不便，但是我們認為社會在考慮有關建議時，應以整體公眾利益為依歸。立法強制停車熄匙亦能凸顯社會大眾減少空氣污染的決心。」

政府參考過海外的管制情況，並且考慮到車輛的運作需要和二０００／０一年諮詢期間所接獲的意見，建議下述情況的車輛可獲豁免:

－車輛由於乘客正在上車或下車而須停在路旁
－在的士或公共小巴站輪候的首兩輛的士或小巴
－的士、公共小巴或巴士在指定停泊處讓乘客上落車，包括的士或公共小巴在指定停泊處輪候乘客而輪候車列正向前駛動
－特殊交通情況（例如交通擠塞和交通意外）
－護衞押運、紀律部隊或提供緊急服務的車輛（例如救護車）
－因輔助用途而必須保持引擎運作的車輛（例如冷凍櫃車和混凝土泵車）
－參與巡遊或獲運輸署批准的活動的車輛

車輛是本地第二大的粒子和氮氧化物污染源，約佔該兩種污染物總排放量的百分之二十五。為減少車輛廢氣排放，以改善路邊空氣質素，政府已採取一系列措施，包括加強宣傳教育鼓勵駕駛者停車熄匙，以及為運輸業界制定停車熄匙的指引。

但是宣傳及教育工作未能有效改變駕駛者的行為習慣。近年投訴停車不熄匙的數字不斷增加，由二００二年的二百三十八宗，增至二００六年的五百零一宗，增幅達一倍。立法會亦於二００五年十二月通過動議，要求政府立法規定駕駛者在停車等候期間必須關掉引擎。此外，社會上也有越來越多聲音要求強制停車熄匙。

很多海外國家已經定立規管停車熄匙的法例，包括夏季氣候炎熱潮濕的新加坡和日本。

邱騰華說：「我們希望透過公眾諮詢，社會各界能夠達成共識，支持政府的建議。」

市民可到各區民政事務處、環保署區域辦事處、運輸署牌照事務處或公共圖書館索取諮詢文件。諮詢文件已上載環保署網頁http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/idling。

市民可於二００八年三月三十一日或之前向環保署提出意見，郵寄地址為灣仔告士打道五號稅務大樓四十五樓，亦可傳真至二八二四　九三六一，或電郵至idling_msg@epd.gov.hk。

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２００７年１１月２日（星期五）

The Government today (November 2) launched a public consultation on a proposal to ban idling vehicle engines.

“The local community is very concerned about air pollution and the Government is determined to take all necessary action to improve air quality,” the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau said as he unveiled the Government proposal.

“Hong Kong’s high road traffic density and the high urban density impedes dispersion of air pollutants emitted by motor vehicles and traps them at street level.

"Some drivers do not switch off their vehicle engines while waiting so they can enjoy the comfort of air-conditioning. These vehicles cause heat and emission nuisance to the pedestrians and shops nearby. The problem is more apparent during bad air pollution days and summer time," Mr Yau said.

“To idle a vehicle’s engine not only wastes fuel but also accelerates the deterioration of its engine oils and engine components. Both the environment and vehicle owners would be better off if engines are switched off,” he said.

“Despite the inconvenience for drivers and passengers, we believe that the community should look at the proposal with regard to the overall interest of the public at large. Introducing a statutory ban to require switching off the engines of idling vehicles will underline the community’s resolve to tackle air pollution,” he said.

In the light of overseas practice, the operational needs of certain vehicles and having regard to the comments received in the last consultation exercise in 2000-01, it is proposed to grant exemption to-

• Vehicles stopped at roadside for active boarding or alighting
• First two taxis/public light buses (PLBs) at a taxi/PLB stand
• Taxis, PLBs or buses boarding and alighting passengers at designated stops, including taxis/PLBs in moving queues at designated stops
• Special traffic conditions (e.g. traffic jam, accidents)
• Security transit (armoured)/disciplinary/ emergency vehicles (e.g. ambulances)
• Vehicles required to run engines for ancillary purposes (e.g. refrigerator trucks, mobile concrete pumps)
• Vehicles engaged in a parade or events authorised by the Transport Department

Vehicles are the second largest local emission source of particulates and nitrogen oxides, accounting for 25% of the total emission for both pollutants. The Government has been taking a series of measures to reduce vehicle emissions and improve roadside air quality, including publicity and educational programmes to encourage drivers to switch off idling vehicles and developing “No idling engines” guidelines for the transport trades.

However, publicity and education programmes are not sufficiently effective in changing the habits of drivers. In recent years, the number of complaints against idling vehicles has been increasing (almost doubled from 238 in 2002 to 501 in 2006). The Legislative Council also carried a motion in December, 2005, requesting the Government to introduce legislation mandating drivers to switch off engines while waiting. At the same time, there has been an increasing voice in the community to ban idling vehicles.

Many overseas countries, including Singapore and Japan whose summers are also hot and humid, have enacted laws banning idling vehicles.

“Through the consultation, we hope that the community will reach a consensus and support the Government’s proposal,” Mr Yau said.

Copies of the consultation document are available for collection at the District Offices, Regional Offices of EPD, Licensing Offices of the Transport Department and Public Libraries. The document has also been uploaded to EPD's website (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/idling).

Members of the public are welcome to forward their views and comments on or before March 31, 2008, to the EPD by post (address: 45/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong), by fax (28249361) or via email (idling_msg@epd.gov.hk).

　　環境局局長邱騰華今日（十月十八日）表示，環境保護是第三屆香港特別行政區政府的重要政策範疇，亦是剛發表的《行政長官施政報告》中，建設優質城市及締造優質生活的重要基礎。然而，要在環境保護工作取得顯著的成效，市民的充分合作及積極參與實不可缺少。

　　邱騰華說:「為提升香港的生活環境，我們必須繼續加強市民對環境保護和保育事宜的認知和參與，政府會推出一連串的宣傳運動，呼籲社會合力改變日常生活的各個環節，採納更潔淨、環保及優質的生活模式。」

　　政府會繼續透過減少污染、推廣能源效益和加強區域性合作的相關範疇，致力維持優質的居住環境。但若要取得成果，這一切必須建基於市民的合作及參與。

　　邱騰華說:「改善環境並不單是政府和環保團體的職責和任務，社會上每一個人都是責無旁貸。關鍵在於大家能否坐言起行。因此，我們必須同心協力，從日常生活的細節著手，締造理想的生活環境。」

　　「我們要養成良好的習慣，從細微的環節開始。例如使用電腦及觀看電視後關閉電源、避免浪費食物、減少使用即棄的餐具，以至調校冷氣機至合適的溫度等，均是日常生活最為簡易的步驟，皆有助節約能源，減少產生廢物。」

　　政府會繼續透過舉辦宣傳活動，推廣環保生活模式，當中包括電視宣傳短片及電台宣傳聲帶、專題網頁、巡迴展覽、路演及廣告等。此外，政府亦設計了一套嶄新的網上電腦遊戲，鼓勵更多市民參與，將環保概念融入日常生活。

　　有關的宣傳活動詳情如下：

＊　以《綠色香港 我鍾意！》為主題製作一系列電視宣傳短片及電台宣傳聲帶，包括一套主題創作及四套環繞「衣食住行」這四個日常生活基本環節的宣傳短片及聲帶，協助市民更了解切身的環保問題，並盡早採取相應行動。

＊　網上電腦遊戲以一個家庭內六名成員的生活情況為主題，分化成多個遊戲項目，讓市民明白廢物數量日增產生的問題，以及如何透過減少廢物、循環再用，合力將廢物問題解決。附有電腦遊戲及環保資訊的光碟，將分發至學校、青年中心、長者中心及民政事務處，亦會上載至網上電腦遊戲的專題網頁(www.swmgame.org)。

＊　減少廢物的專題網頁（www.wastereduction.gov.hk）可為市民提供有關減少廢物、處理及循環再造的一站式資訊，同時提供平台讓登記用戶把有用物品捐出或進行交換，以及分享減少廢物的心得。

＊　其他活動包括展覽及路演；向學校及其他團體分發電子海報，推廣環保信息；以及環境及自然保育基金資助的教育活動。

　　邱騰華表示，政府非常重視與區議會、環保團體及非政府機構的夥伴關係，將繼續與各有關團體商討長遠的合作項目，例如鼓勵區議會及非政府團體把環保生活習慣的信息融入二００八世界環境日的活動。

　　他說:「總括而言，每名市民及每個家庭必須採取行動，透過改變日常生活習慣，合力為香港締造更佳的環境。」

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２００７年１０月１８日(星期四)

Substantial gains in environmental protection could only be achieved with public participation, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, said today (October 18).

Mr Yau said environmental protection was a major policy area for the third term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The policy initiative also forms an important part in building a quality city and a quality life for local citizens as stated by the Chief Executive in the policy address last week.

Mr Yau said : “To improve the living environment in Hong Kong, we must continue to raise the community’s awareness of environmental protection and conservation with enhanced participation. The Government is mounting a publicity campaign to engage the public in protecting the environment. The campaign also calls for collective efforts of society to help make a change in various aspects of daily living to nurture a cleaner, greener and better lifestyle.”

While the Government was committed to providing good quality living environment to the public through reducing pollution, promoting energy efficiency and strengthening further regional co-operation, public involvement and participation was the cornerstone.

“Improving our environment is not a job just for either the Government or green groups. It is a business for each and everyone of us,” said Mr Yau, who also emphasised the importance to act green as well as think green.

“Action makes a difference. We all should take part to help make a change. A better environment can be more attainable if it becomes a way of life. We must start forming new habits. A simple act in our daily living can help conserve energy and reduce waste production or generation, such as turning off the computer or TV when not using them, not wasting food, using less disposable utensils and setting air-conditioners at an energy-saving temperature. These are all within our reach and simply easy and closer than we think,” Mr Yau said.

Publicity programmes on the promotion of a greener lifestyle include the launching of new TV and Radio Announcements in the Public Interests (APIs), a dedicated website, roving exhibitions, roadshows and an advertising campaign. To reach out to a wider community, an on-line computer game has been developed to encourage the public to think and act green in their daily lives.

Details of the programmes are as follows:

- A series of new TV and Radio APIs, conceived along the slogan “I love Hong Kong! I love green!”, will be launched to arouse public awareness of the environmental problems and encourage early action. Apart from the thematic APIs, another four APIs will be produced under the themes of four basic necessities of life - Dressing, Eating, Living and Commuting.

- A computer game adopting the idea of a SimEP with six characters in a family setting is created. Through a series of mini computer games, the public will be able to appreciate the growing waste problem and how they can play a role in addressing the problem through waste reduction, re-use and recovery.

Copies of CD Roms, containing the computer game and information of green initiatives, will be distributed to schools, youth centres, elderly centres and district offices. It will also be uploaded on the dedicated on-line game website (www.swmgame.org).

- A dedicated Waste Reduction Website (www.wastereduction.gov.hk) is to give the public a one-stop source of information about waste generation, reduction, recycling and management in the territory. It will provide a channel for registered members to trade or donate their usable goods or share their views on how to reduce waste.

- Others programmes include exhibitions and roadshows; distribution of e-posters to schools and other organisations for promoting the green message; and educational activities funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund.

Mr Yau said the Government valued the partnership with District Councils and green groups, adding that he would continue to discuss with them more long-term collaborations, such as encouraging District Councils and NGOs to incorporate the message of “green lifestyle” into their World Environment Day 2008 activities.

“Ultimately, it is up to each of us, as individuals and families, to take action to reverse it through everyday awareness of our living habits and together we make a behavioural change to create a better environment for Hong Kong,” Mr Yau said.

ENDS
Thursday, October 18, 2007