LegCo unanimously passes Motion to Improve Air Quality

Yesterday was a momentous day in the fight for clean air: Hong Kong’s Legislative Council unanimously passed a Motion to Improve Air Quality.Numerous lawmakers made statements expressing their dissatisfaction about continued government inaction about air pollution, as well as the lack of a warning system.Even Miriam Lau, the redoubtable mouthpiece of the transport sector supported the motion.The fact that even Lau supported last night’s motion demonstrates the widespread, overwhelming support for air clean-up measures in our city.

For too long, the Environmental Protection Department has laid the blame at the doorstep of Legco: “We can’t get tougher legislation like increased registration fees for the most polluting vehicles passed because LegCo refuses to pass it.” After yesterday, the EPD can no longer hide behind LegCo’s apparent opposition to more effective environmental legislation. The executive branch no longer has any excuse or justification for its continued failure to introduce tougher initiatives.