Chairman of Council for Sustainable Development welcomes "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address"
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The Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development (SDC), Dr Lam Ching-choi, welcomed the various initiatives announced in "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address" yesterday (October 19) on striving towards carbon neutrality, including the regulation of disposable plastic tableware and the reorganisation of the SDC.
Dr Lam said, "The SDC put forward a host of recommendations in its public engagement report on control of single-use plastics submitted to the Government this April. The recommendations include banning the sale of single-use plastic products with readily available alternatives or products that are not essential; and enhancing the Plastic Shopping Bag (PSB) Charging Scheme currently in place by tightening the scope of exemption and increasing the charging level, etc.
"Regulating single-use plastics is a very important step for Hong Kong to move towards the goal of achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. I am pleased to learn from this Policy Address that the Government will introduce an amendment bill early next year to regulate disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products. I also welcome the passage of the amendments to the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation at the Legislative Council yesterday. The amendments give effect to a range of enhancements, including tightening the scope of exemption of the PSB Charging Scheme and increasing the plastic shopping bag charging level from the current level of at least 50 cents to at least $1, to be implemented from December 31 this year. Noting that the recommendations put forward in the public engagement report have been fully implemented by the Government within months, I am deeply impressed by the efforts made by the current-term Government to enhance speed and efficiency in policy implementation.
"Meanwhile, I welcome the announcement in the Policy Address that the SDC will be reorganised, becoming the new Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development. I look forward to the contributions the new Council will provide through offering advice on decarbonisation strategies, promoting the development of Hong Kong into an exemplary liveable and sustainable international city, and aligning with our country's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060."
The Council will continue to maintain close communication with the Government with a view to promoting Hong Kong's sustainable development.
Ends/Thursday, October 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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