Coordinate Greater Bay Area’s environmental standards as the economies integrate, experts urge
Divergent policy targets mean efforts to cut air pollution can only go so far
Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region should capitalise on the “Greater Bay Area” scheme to deepen cooperation and harmonise environmental standards, especially on air quality, experts say.
The region shares the same airshed, but divergent policy targets and standards mean regional efforts to reduce air pollution that recognises no borders can only go so far, they added.
Air quality management and standards should be uniform, according to Professor Yuan Zhibing of Guangzhou’s South China University of Technology’s school of environment and energy.
Pearl River Delta’s poorer cities plan big changes in ‘Greater Bay Area’ push
“This sort of harmonisation and collaboration would be very important,” he said.
Yuan believed the integration could extend to environmental protection.
“I would recommend ... breaking up the administrative borders on the problem [of air pollution].”