https://www.scmp.com/rss/322336/feed Loong Tsz-wai is the community relations manager at Clean Air Network and a member of the Environment Bureau’s Air Quality Objectives review working group. He has an academic background in molecular biotechnology. He has curated projects and campaigns against air pollution, as well as those on city planning, social housing, public space and community development. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ozone levels in Hong Kong have reached a 20-year high, according to the latest figures. Thus, to better protect public health, the Environmental Protection Department’s upcoming Air Quality Objectives Review needs to be radical, and not just focus on how feasible a particular emissions-reducing policy will be. Instead, the government must look to tighten the objectives so they are much closer to the World Health Organisation air quality guidelines and ensure the implementation of more effective... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/hong-kong/article/2179788/forget-air-quality-and-public-health-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/hong-kong/article/2179788/forget-air-quality-and-public-health-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Dec 2018 23:30:00 +0000 Air pollution persists in Hong Kong despite the government’s efforts to reduce it. Though the levels of some pollutants are measurably falling, the improvements are not happening across the board. We still see many days when a spike in pollutant levels leads to health hazard warnings. Something must be done. It’s time to make the authorities accountable for ensuring compliance with air quality standards. Indeed, in the current system, the government need not take any action even when roadside... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2111817/hong-kong-needs-stricter-laws-air-pollution-hold-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2111817/hong-kong-needs-stricter-laws-air-pollution-hold-government?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Sep 2017 06:26:16 +0000 Discussion about Hong Kong 2030 Plus, a blueprint for the city’s development beyond 2030, has focused mainly on the use of land, while sustainable growth has received much less attention. Hong Kong government’s plan for new towns and reclaimed islands to house growing population In the document released ahead of the six-month public consultation exercise, which began late last month, the government says it wants to build a smart, green and resilient city. It pledges to encourage walking in new... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2044045/green-hong-kong-2030-and-beyond-not-according-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2044045/green-hong-kong-2030-and-beyond-not-according-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Nov 2016 03:52:16 +0000 Congestion is getting worse in Hong Kong. In response, the government is studying a plan for electronic road pricing, and public consultation is ongoing. Electronic road pricing is an effective way to combat traffic jams, and has been found to be useful in reducing carbon emissions. Yet, the scheme must be carefully designed to fully account for the social costs of congestion. READ MORE: Electronic road pricing plan for Hong Kong’s Central district slammed by local councillors In its public... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1925195/charge-big-polluters-more-under-hong-kongs-electronic-road?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1925195/charge-big-polluters-more-under-hong-kongs-electronic-road?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Mar 2016 07:42:57 +0000 While Hong Kong's congestion problems remain unsolved, its citizens may find it surprising that there were only three paragraphs concerning transport in the chief executive's policy address this year, covering railway development, bus route rationalisation and barrier-free access facilities. Sadly, there were no real solutions to address the rising number of private cars on our roads. In his speech, Leung Chun-ying put little emphasis on how the public transport system can be developed... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1690056/hong-kong-must-control-private-car-growth-or-lose-pollution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1690056/hong-kong-must-control-private-car-growth-or-lose-pollution?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2015 19:00:12 +0000 The Occupy movement has done more than disrupt and cause inconvenience; it has provided an invaluable chance to rethink what is needed to make our streets more friendly to pedestrians and the environment. It is not surprising that the air quality in Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok improved remarkably during the occupation period, since people could walk, run or even bike instead of suffering the usual traffic crawling along roads at peak hours. We collected data of concentrations of fine... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1622155/planners-need-end-occupation-our-streets-vehicles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1622155/planners-need-end-occupation-our-streets-vehicles?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:15:15 +0000