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Hong Kong public policy think tank Civic Exchange has welcomed the Chief Executive’s policy address to consider requiring ocean-going vessels to switch to using cleaner fuel when at berth in Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta waters, in order to deliver reductions in air pollution.

Civic Exchange said the policy address represents a 'positive response' to the establishment in November 2010 of the Fair Winds Charter - a voluntary scheme under which 18 shipping lines committed to burning fuel with a sulphur content of not more than 0.5% when at berth, thereby reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide by 80%.

"The Chief Executive's proposal will do two things. First it will create a level playing field across the whole sector, especially with the creation of a special Emissions Control Area. All ships will likely operate at the standard set by the Fair Winds Charter. Second, and more importantly, there will be a significant health benefits for portside residents as a significant source of pollution will be dramatically reduced," said Christine Loh, Chief Executive Officer of Civic Exchange.

Ships at berth account for about one third of the volume pollution emitted by ocean-going vessels in Hong Kong waters. However, because this is the portion emitted closest to the public, Civic Exchange said the benefit of cleaning up is greater than the overall tonnages of reduced emissions.

"It is excellent to see Hong Kong seriously pushing for regulation to control ship emissions. I hope that discussion with the governments of Guangdong, Shenzhen and Macao will take place soon, in order to contribute to the realization of the Pearl River Delta as a Quality Living Area, as proposed in the Regional Cooperation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area Consultation Document" said Simon Ng, an expert of marine emissions working at the Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Civic Exchange has been working with shipping lines and officials to reduce emissions from ports and ships since 2005. Its ultimate aim is to introduce an Emission Control Area (ECA) covering the all waters of the Pearl River Delta, a topic that was also mentioned in the policy address.

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule.

The office, stipulated by the Hong Kong Basic Law, formally came into being on 1 July 1997 when the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China. The Chief Executive holds the title "The Honourable", and ranks first in the Hong Kong order of precedence. The current Chief Executive is Donald Tsang.