Response to the 2025-2026 Policy Address

Clean Air Network, guided by the vision of “Clean Air for All,” welcomes the measures to improve air quality announced by the Chief Executive in the 2025-2026 Policy Address, including the continual construction of charging stations for electric vehicles, the study of green shipping fuels and the continuing development of mass transit.

We urge the government to consider the following comprehensive recommendations across three major areas:

  1. Comprehensively Promoting Green Transport and Green Shipping

Our organization welcomes the “Roadmap on Green Transformation for Public Buses and Taxis” announced by the government last December. To achieve the goals of zero vehicular emissions and carbon neutrality by 2050, the government should also actively promote the adoption of electric commercial vehicles, including light, medium, and heavy goods vehicles. We support the ongoing commercial electric vehicle trials and request the government formulate a more specific direction and timeline for implementation.

Regarding green shipping, we also have the following recommendations:

  • Develop an Onshore Power Supply (OPS) Development Policy: Led by the Environment and Ecology Bureau, a clear policy direction should be established. This includes promoting the construction of onshore charging infrastructure, overseeing the retrofitting of berths, and investing in substations to ensure coordination with the power grid.
  • Strategy for Electrification of Local Shipping: The government should formulate a comprehensive strategy to promote the electrification of operational and river trade vessels. In addition to subsidizing the electric ferry pilot scheme, a roadmap for the electrification of government vessels is needed to accelerate market adoption. The government should also consider the construction of shore power infrastructure at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
  • Regional Vessel Emission Coordination Mechanism: We support a regional emission reduction strategy. This would harmonize the electrification process, encourage related measures, and facilitate the planning of green fuel infrastructure to promote a “Green Shipping Corridor.”
  • Quantitative Study on Vessel Emissions: We recommend that the Environmental Protection Department conduct a dedicated study to obtain precise data on vessel emissions. This would quantify the benefits of onshore power supply and shipping electrification on improving Hong Kong’s air quality, providing a scientific basis for future policies.
  1. Continuously Tackling Outdoor Air Pollution

Over the past decade, Hong Kong has made significant progress in improving its ambient and roadside air quality, yet it still lags behind other major cities. In 2023, Hong Kong’s short-term Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) only achieved a 75% attainment rate, with particularly noticeable gaps in nitrogen dioxide and ozone levels. In 2024, roadside nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded the World Health Organization’s stringent standards by 550%.
With evolving public health risks and demographic changes, we must intensify our air purification efforts. Hong Kong’s indoor air quality lacks systematic management, posing greater risks to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and patients.

  1. Legislating to Regulate Indoor Air Quality Policy

Policy discussions in Hong Kong have historically centered on ambient and roadside air quality, but indoor air quality is equally important, especially in the post-pandemic era where many people spend the majority of their time indoors. Recent studies indicate that public health risks are shifting from environmental pollution to indoor pollution, primarily stemming from volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

To combat airborne infectious diseases, strengthening indoor air quality control is crucial. It is particularly important to establish indoor air quality guidelines for premises serving vulnerable groups, such as nurseries, kindergartens, and elderly care homes.

To this end, the government needs to amend the Air Pollution Control Ordinance to incorporate regulatory targets for indoor air quality, prioritizing the setting of strict standards with regular reviews. Concurrently, it should continuously monitor and publish indoor air quality data in all government buildings and expand the Environmental Protection Department’s “Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme” to cover premises without mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Incorporating Air Quality into the “Basic Housing Units Bill”
The authorities’ current proposal for “Minimum Living Environment Standards for Basic Housing Units” includes building area, fire and structural safety, lighting and ventilation, and the provision of an external window. Our organization recommends that air quality also be included within this scope, mandating that every household has a means to introduce fresh air and sunlight. This includes, but is not limited to, windows or a ventilation system, such as the installation of exhaust or convection fans, and placing stoves near a window to reduce the accumulation of air pollutants.