Policy Address

158.         The Government has reached a consensus with the industry to phase out some 82 000 old Euro III or earlier diesel commercial vehicles and the relevant legislation has been passed by this Council.  Subject to this Council’s approval for a provision of about $11.4 billion to meet expenditure on ex gratia payments, we will kick-start the scheme in March this year.  Moreover, newly registered diesel commercial vehicles will be subject to a service life limit of 15 years with effect from February 2014.

159.         The sulphur content of local marine diesel will be reduced from 0.5% to 0.05%.  The relevant legislation will soon be introduced into this Council.  To reduce sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions, the ENB will introduce a bill into this Council within this year to require ocean-going vessels at berth in Hong Kong to switch to low-sulphur diesel.  We will seek to implement the new requirement next year.

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