Addressing Deteriorating Air Quality: Research and Policy Development

ADMCF has been supporting Civic Exchange and its work to improve local air quality since 2006. ADMCF funds support a range of targeted air quality-related research and engagement projects.

On air quality, Civic Exchange conducts local and regional research studies on topics such as emissions inventories, health impact assessments, health risk communication, international practices, regional air quality management models, and emission reduction strategies. It regularly engages with key stakeholders, such as the business sector and university partners, to exchange knowledge, advance policy discussions and plan further actions.

Emissions from ships have been the biggest source of air pollutants in Hong Kong. To reduce these emissions, vessels trading within the Pearl River Delta Domestic Emission Control Areas are since January 2019 required to run on low-sulphur fuel with the sulphur content not exceeding 0.5 percent.

This policy change started with the successful implementation of the Fair Winds Charter, the first voluntary corporate scheme initiated by Civic Exchange and the shipping industry to reduce emissions by requiring ocean-going vessels to switch to low-sulphur fuel while at berth.