Many countries and cities, including Hong Kong, have been developing at a rapid pace using the latest technologies, resulting in the gradual depletion of natural resources and tremendous pressure on the world's ecological system. It is therefore important to balance economic, environmental and social considerations in the course of development, which is what sustainable development is all about. This article will tell you more about sustainable development in Hong Kong, and how you can contribute to a better future for the city.

Sustainable development, according to the World Commission on Environment and Development, is:

"development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." ["Our Common Future", 1987]

It implies that rather than just dealing with immediate problems and needs, we should adopt a new mindset to bring about full integration of the needs for economic and social development with the need to conserve the environment. By putting this concept into practice, the sustainable viability of our society can be achieved. 

Hong Kong is a fully developed city. Same as other big cities, it is characterised by noise, busy human and vehicular traffic, and by the voracious consumption of goods and resources.

For example, we generate more than 6 million tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) each year, due to our high level of commercial and personal consumption of goods. It is estimated that all our landfills will be full in 10 years if we continue to create and dispose of waste in the current manner.

Sustainable development is required to make Hong Kong a clean, comfortable and pleasant home, and also to maintain our competitive advantage and our position as a world class city.  In Hong Kong, it means:

• finding ways to increase prosperity and improve the quality of life while reducing overall pollution and waste;
• meeting our own needs and aspirations without doing damage to the prospects of future generations; and
• reducing the environmental burden we put on our neighbours and helping to preserve common resources. ("1999 Policy Address").

The Sustainable Development Division (previously called the Sustainable Development Unit under the Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary's Office) was set up in April 2001 to promote sustainable development in both the Government and the community. One of its major tasks is to oversee the implementation of a sustainability assessment system within the Government to facilitate the integration of sustainability considerations into the decision-making process.  All bureaux and departments are required to conduct sustainability assessments of their major initiatives and programmes and to explain the sustainability implications in their submissions to the Policy Committee and Executive Council.

The Council for Sustainable Development was established in March 2003 to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong.  The terms of reference of the Council are:

• to advise the Government on the priority areas it should address in promoting sustainable development;
• to advise on the preparation of a sustainable development strategy for Hong Kong that will integrate economic, social and environmental perspectives;
• to facilitate community participation in the promotion of sustainable development in Hong Kong through various means, including the award of grants from the Sustainable Development Fund; and
• to promote public awareness and understanding of the principles of sustainable development.

Members of the Council are appointed by the Chief Executive and include people with experience and expertise in the environmental, social and business sectors, as well as senior government officials.

In addition, a Sustainable Development Fund has been established with a sum of $100 million to provide a central source of financial support for initiatives that will help to develop a strong public awareness of the principles of sustainable development and to encourage sustainable practices in Hong Kong.

• More on Sustainable Development Division
  http://www.susdev.gov.hk/html/en/su/index.htm
• More on Council for Sustainable Development
  http://www.susdev.gov.hk/html/en/council/index.htm

It requires all sectors of the community to work hand in hand in order to achieve a sustainable future for Hong Kong. There are many ways in which you can get involved. You can contribute to sustainability by reducing energy consumption, using less water, and reducing waste. The link below has more information. Let's make a brighter future together!

• More on green living
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/public/green/index.htm