The Public Forum “Review of the air quality objectives (AQOs) and Development of a long-term air quality strategy for Hong Kong”

I and Bimalka attended the Public Forum which was held in the Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Productivity Council in Kowloon Tong on Friday, 20 March 2009.

There were three principal elements in the Discussion
- The proposed new objectives.
- The measures and process for setting and reviewing Air quality objectives (AQOs).
- The likely benefit of certain emission reduction measures

More than 400 people joined the Forum, and extra seats were needed the day before Even though the Forum was during business hours . The Consultants presented the proposed revised AQOs, 33 proposals to reduce pollution and a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of these proposals. Most of the Q&A session focused on the CBA and time table for new AQOs.


Although both the Government and Consultants have repeatedly expressed the priority of addressing public health in setting the new AQOs, the Consultant couldn’t give the explanation for how much current health impacts will be reduced by the proposed measures and how they gave the new standard in new AQOs. On the other hand the Government was unwilling to commit to a timeline for implementation full AQOs
The Public Forum widened my view about how the public reacted to the proposal from Government. Many people in many different social positions came to the Forum and contribute their comments with the strong desire to improve the air quality and the public health. Some people even wore the biological masks as one way to protest air pollution.

The Discussion was only within 2 hours, but recorded many valuable contributions for Consultant and Government in next steps.

Fruitful Activites in Manila, April

Today is May 4, 2009. I have stayed in Manila for almost 2 months. Time flies like an arrow. In April, I took part in the framework of Shanghai Expo project, attended a Country Network Summit in Manila and conducted two air quality management background researches in Thailand and Indonesia. Besides, my husband visited me during the Eastern Holiday and I participated in a Firefly cycling event.

Shanghai Expo Project

In the first week of April, I followed up the Shanghai Expo project. I collected the projects of the air quality management that were implemented by the Chinese Central Government during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Since most documents are in Chinese, I translated the key words in English and summarized the findings to May and Sophie in the meeting. Finally, we generalized the framework and the work plan of Shanghai Expo project and allocated work to the center colleagues in China as well.

Vacation in Bohol

During the Eastern Holiday, my husband and I went to Bohol in Cebu, the Philippines. We did snorkeling and the scuba diving, and visited the Chocolate Hill (the Landmark of Bohol) and saw the Philippine Tarsier (one of the smallest primates on the earth). We really enjoyed the sunshine in the beach.










Country Network Summit

On April 14-15, the center organized the CAI-Asia Center Country Network Summit 2009 at Sophie home. The aims of this summit are to promote the partnership between the center and eight Asia countries and to share the experience in improving the air quality of Asian cities. The CAI-Asia County Networks include China, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and India. Ten partners from these 8 countries participated in this summit. A group photos was taken in the homemade tree house at Sophie home, see below.











On the first day, the center staff presented the CAI for Asian Cities Strategy and Business Plans 2009-2010 and CAI-Asia Top 10 projects for 2009-2010, and the partners shared their experience in clean air projects. All partners and the center staff enjoyed the welcome dinner in Tiendesitas, see above picture. On the morning of the second day, May and I introduced a foundation course of Air Quality Management in Asia to the partners. On that day afternoon, the center staff and the individual partner discussed the clean air plan in each country first and identify the proposed project.

This summit is very successful. During the summit, the center staff understood the need from the partners and provided the proper clean air action plans for them in order to improve the air quality in Asia. On the other hand, these countries partners shared their achievements and received an assistance of their difficulties from the center staff.

Fireflies Cycling Event

On April 19, four of the center staff including I participated in the 11th Tour of the Fireflies cycling event, which was organized by the Firefly Brigade. The aim of this event is to raise the public awareness on the benefits of using the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation. On that day, we wore the same T-shirt with logo (Ligtas Hangin) that means “save the air”. I biked a bicycle borrowed from Sophie and completed the whole route of 43 km with the support of Bert. All of us were exhausted but enjoyed the event so much. After the event, Mike, Knowledge and Communications Manager from the center, interviewed us and wrote a blog about our feelings. For detail, please visit http://cai-asia.blogspot.com/.











Country Profile Research

In the last two weeks of April, I focused on the Country profile research in Thailand and Indonesia, under a GZT project. The aim of this research is to analyze the possibility of developing and implementing clean air action plans in the proposed cities in Thailand and Indonesia. This project covers four main tasks including air quality and regulation, legal and political framework, sakeholders and science and air quality management. My duties are to diagnose the first and the last ones. The center also employed the local to assist us to complete the other two tasks.

Firstly, I read the country synthesis report on urban air quality managements, a book “Urban Air Pollution in Asia Cities”, searched a lot of air quality management information from the world wide web and collected the air quality data. Then, I summarized the information and reported to May and Glynda. Since some documents are in Thai and Indonesian, we have asked the local to take part in this project in translating some documents and collecting air quality data from the local agencies as well.