Wanted: Team Clean for our skies

A high-level commission should be set up to combat air pollution in Hong Kong, according to the vice-chairman of the Council on Sustainable Development.

Edgar Cheng Wai-kin said the body should be headed by the chief executive or chief secretary, and given specific tasks, targets and a timetable to clean up the sky. 'The community is focused on this matter and the chief executive has styled himself as a champion on the issue. We need a body to tie the different angles up and create a big bang,' he said. Mr Cheng suggested the commission should be similar to Team Clean, the body set up during the Sars outbreak in 2003 that improved hygiene through steps such as increasing the fine for littering. 'The commission could co-ordinate work between different departments, liaise with the business sector and team up with NGOs and the community,' he said. 'Such a commission could bring people together and break down the barriers.'

The proposal was presented to the council earlier and was well received, he said.