Tang urged to consider green GDP assessment
Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen has been urged to adopt a concept of 'green GDP assessment' in his budget this month.
Legislator Choy So-yuk, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said yesterday there should be a detailed assessment of the hidden cost of every project launched by the government and private sector.
Officials should also seek to quantify the value of natural resources like Victoria Harbour; as well as the cost if they are damaged permanently. Ms Choy believed the initiative would improve people's awareness of environmental damage before it was too late to remedy.
Speaking on RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong, she said the present way of measuring economic activity only accounted for goods and services produced. 'The way we have been looking at our economy is distorted because it does not take into account our sickening environment or our wealth of nature.'
She said the government, when building an office complex, should assess the impact on traffic, and hence pollution, damage to health and the consequential increase in medical costs. Issues like permanent damage to surroundings, energy consumption, the lifespan of buildings and the cost of future redevelopment should also be taken into account.
'One way forward is for the government to insist on green GDP assessment for every project, whether initiated by the public or private sector.'
Ms Choy said further delay in making a start on using green GDP would simply keep Hong Kong further away from world standards.
