 放大圖片
■ 空氣污染問題長期困擾本港，當局應有更多的支持，推動環保產業發展。資料圖片
港府提出更新沿用25年的空氣質素指標。環境局局長邱騰華表示，因採用清潔能源及落實多項減排措施，交通費和電費將有上調壓力，幅度更高達20%，但會分階段逐步落實。事實上，任何減排措施都涉及龐大的資金投入及營運成本，本港要改善空氣質素，社會各界肯定要為此付出代價。空氣污染問題長期困擾本港，不僅損害市民健康，更帶來巨大的社會成本。既然社會已有減排共識，成本高昂不應成為卻步的理由，市民應作出承擔。同時，當局在環保投入上不應採取「不干預」政策，而應有更多的支持，推動環保產業發展，資助大型環保設施的興建。
事實上，改善空氣質素不僅能夠減少政府醫療衛生方面的開支，還能因為環境的改善而增加許多經濟收益，對於社會的長遠發展利多於弊。因此，社會不應將環保成本只視為支出，相反應視作長遠的投資。要落實環保，除了市民的承擔之外，當局的投入更是不可或缺。在推動環保產業的發展上，可提供土地或稅務上的優惠；對大型的環保設施可提供低息貸款甚或資助，以減輕企業的成本壓力，在推動環保之餘，也盡量減輕市民的負擔。
Price of environmental protection should be shared by all in society
The HKSAR government has proposed to update the existing air quality objectives (AQOs) which have been in use for 25 years. Secretary for the Environment Mr Edward Yau said that the use of cleaner energy and the introduction of a number of emission reduction measures will bring pressure on an increase in public transport fare and electricity tariff. He said that the increase may be as high as 20% but will be implemented in phases. In fact, all emission reduction measures require huge injections of fund as well as high operating costs. If Hong Kong is to improve its air quality, people from all walks of life will have to pay a price. Air pollution has been a headache for Hong Kong for a very long time. Not only is it detrimental to public health but also incurs enormous social costs. Since there has already been a public consensus on emission reduction, the high cost should not be taken as a reason to back away, but rather as a responsibility for all the people to bear. At the same time, the government should not adopt a "non-intervention" policy on the issue of environmental protection. It has to give more support to foster the development of environmental protection industry and finance the construction of major environmental protection facilities.
As a matter of fact, an improvement in air quality will not only effect a reduction in the cost of government-run medical and healthcare services but will also generate a lot of economic benefits brought by a better environment. In the long run, it does more good than harm to society. Therefore, the cost of environmental protection should not be deemed solely as expenditure; on the contrary, it should be seen as a long term investment. In addition to the contribution made by the public, the input by the government is indispensable to really achieving the goal of environmental protection. To drive the development of environmental protection industry, the government can offer preferential treatment in terms of land or tax incentives. It can also provide low interest loan or even funding to the construction of major environmental protection facilities to lower the cost borne by enterprises. With these efforts, the government can lessen the burden to be borne by the public while achieving the aim of promoting environmental protection. ■Translation by 東明 tungming23@gmail.com
逢周五見報
|
放大圖片
