Worsening air pollution into the 21st century cannot be combated without fundamentally changing Hong Kong's transport policy, Environmental Protection Department officials have warned. Increasing population, development and commerce will result in air pollution exceeding objectives in Tuen Mun and Victoria Harbour and deteriorating conditions elsewhere, according to projections until 2011. The study examined the impact of the review of the Territorial Development Strategy on air pollution. The review, a development strategy for Hong Kong until 2011, was released last week. The strategy estimated 3,000 hectares of land, from reclamation, redevelopment and rezoning of agricultural areas, would be required to house up to eight million people and expanding port facilities. Officer in charge of the air policy group, Arthur Chu Chi-ming said: 'Most of the problem is nitrogen dioxide and respirable suspended particulates - these are motor vehicle emissions. 'We have to do something to control the cars and tail pipe emissions and secondly we have get our hands on transport planning . . . and try to put in an environmentally friendly transport policy . . . rail, mass transit, less use of road vehicles - that kind of direction,' said the senior environmental protection officer. The study identified vehicle emissions, mainly from the growing number of goods vehicles, as the major factor affecting air quality. The study predicts nitrogen dioxide levels in Tuen Mun will increase 70 per cent between 2001 and 2011 as Hong Kong's economic catchment widens into Guangdong. Even if all pollution control measures were implemented - including the controversial diesel to petrol switch - levels of nitrogen dioxide would only be cut by 10 per cent, which would still exceed objectives by almost 40 per cent. The study did not tackle respirable suspended particulates - levels of which currently exceed objectives at all stations except Sha Tin - but pointed to a likely to increase in line with expanding traffic, particularly in the harbour.
