Council on Sustainable Development revives toll idea in search for options to reduce air pollution
The controversial idea of electronic road pricing, which has been debated in the city for more than two decades, will return to the agenda next year when the government's top advisory body consults the public on whether the scheme should be adopted to help improve the city's air quality.
The consultation, to be launched by the Council on Sustainable Development, will also ask whether bold measures should be taken when air pollution is high. Such action might include charging a premium for the use of roads during peak periods, banning the use of diesel-powered vehicles and equipment, and reducing the use of oil-based paints, solvents and cleaners.
The council, headed by Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan, will also seek views on whether legislation, tax penalties and incentives should be introduced to foster energy efficiency measures, such as setting air conditioners at 25.5 degrees Celsius in all offices and schools, mandatory energy-comsumption labels on domestic appliances and compulsory green building codes in new blocks.
These measures were identified by the council as priorities in the effort to improve air quality. A support group is being formed by the council and a consultation document will be ready by April for a four-month engagement process, with a final report to be released by the end of next year.
'We have to clean up our backyard, do our part, and then we can ask our counterparts on the mainland to do more,' said Edgar Cheng Wai-kin, the council's vice-chairman. Mr Cheng said the city had to consider seriously charging for the use of roads.
'The technology is there and the privacy issue is no longer a big concern,' he said. 'Hong Kong has the best public transport system in the world, so why can't we make use of it and let those with money pay for using roads? With such a system, we could drive away dirty trucks, divert traffic congestion and reduce the number of vehicles on the streets during days with high pollution.'