CBE3029 Environment & Sustainability

Chapter 1. Sustainable Development

1.1. Evolution of Sustainable Development

The core concept of sustainability is about changing perceptions of how we
should develop, achieve and manage growth. Although the concept of
sustainability derives originally from environmental concerns, it is now
commonly defined as the balance and integration of economic, environmental
and social development.

Debates concerning sustainable development emerged following the publication

of Club of Romes report, The Limits to Growth: a report for the Club of Romes
project on the predicament of mankind, and the United Nations Conference on
the Human Environment in 1972. Both the report and the international
conference tried to put environmental issues onto the international political
agenda.

The concept was further developed in 1980 when the International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) published the World
Conservation Strategy. The Strategy attempted to go beyond the concept of
environmental protection and examine the relationship between the environment
and development.

In 1987, the United Nations World Commission on Environment and

Development released its report, Our Common Future, and defined sustainable
development as development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED,
1987: 43). This has become the most commonly cited definition of sustainable
development. Discussions in the report also called for a new approach in
integrating economic, social and environmental objectives in the
decision-making and development process.

1.2. Definition of Sustainability

The classic view on sustainability:

In physical terms, the sustainable society would work on the three following

conditions when deciding on the societys material and energy throughputs,

1) Its rates of use of renewable resources do not exceed the rate at which

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sustainable renewable substitutes are developed.

2) Its rates of use of non-renewable resources do not exceed the rate at which
sustainable renewable substitutes are developed.
3) Its rates of pollution emission do not exceed the assimilative capacity of the
environment.

In social term, sustainability for the society means working towards a society in

which the material living standard is adequate and secure for everyone,

regardless of gender, ethnicity and income level.

1.3. Definition of Sustainable Development under HK-BEAM

Sustainable development is defined as balancing the fulfillment of human

needs with the protection of the natural environment so that these needs can be

met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future.

The field of sustainable development can be conceptually broken into four

constituent parts: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, social

sustainability and cultural sustainability.

Dwg. Scheme of sustainable development:

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Green development is generally differentiated from Sustainable development in

that Green development prioritizes what its proponents consider to be

environmental sustainability over economic and cultural considerations.

Proponents of Sustainable Development argue that it provides a context in

which to improve overall sustainability where cutting edge Green development

is unattainable. For example, a cutting edge treatment plant with extremely high

maintenance costs may not be sustainable in regions of the world with less

financial resources. An environmentally ideal plant that is shut down due to

bankruptcy is obviously less sustainable than one that is maintainable by the

indigenous community, even if it is somewhat less effective from an

environmental standpoint.

Green/sustainable building design is one that achieves high performance, over the full
life cycle, in the following areas:

Minimizing natural resource consumption through more efficient utilization of

nonrenewable natural resources, land, water, and construction materials,
including utilization of renewable energy resources to achieve net zero energy
consumption.

Minimizing emissions that negatively impact our indoor environment and the
atmosphere of our planet, especially those related to indoor air quality (IAQ),
greenhouse gases, global warming, particulates, or acid rain.

Minimizing discharge of solid waste and liquid effluents, including demolition

and occupant waste, sewer, and stormwater, and the associated infrastructure
required to accommodate removal.

Minimal negative impacts on site ecosystems.

Maximum quality of indoor environment, including air quality, thermal

regime, illumination, acoustics/noise, and visual aspects to provide
comfortable human physiological and psychological perceptions

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1.4. Common Definition of Sustainable Development

The definition of sustainable development first put forward in the report
published by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987
titled, Our Common Future, is considered the classic formulation of the term
and is one of the most influential in understanding the concept development
that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. The report offered five key concepts:

- The demand of the present generation should not sacrifice the needs of the
future

- Humanitys economic future is linked to the integrity of the natural systems

- The present is not sustainable as the needs of the poor cannot be met in
many aspects

- Economic prospects of poor countries should be improved if we want to

improve our environment

- The present generation should provide options for the future generation as
they also have the right to choose and determine their own needs

There have been differences in the understanding and interpretation of

sustainability development, mainly over how the three overriding issues
(environment, society and economy) should be balanced and integrated in the
present and the future. But there are common elements which are generally
agreed sustainable development is a way to seek simultaneous progress in
achieving economic, social and environmental goals in order to maintain good
quality of life for both present and future generations.

Figure. Sustainable City with balanced social, economic and environmental

development

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As Figure illustrates, a sustainable city is comprised of the integration of social

justice, economic progress and environmental protection. These rings are
overlapping and have to be in balance. We cannot overlook any of them. For
example, economic development can never be sustained if the environment
system is upset as these three pillars are interdependent and fundamental to
human survival and development.

1.5. Definition of Sustainable Development in Hong Kong

Source from Council for Sustainable Development

The concept of sustainable development was first applied to environmental

policy of Hong Kong during the late 1980s. The term sustainable development
was first mentioned officially in policy formulation in the 1999 Policy Address
delivered by the former Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa.

Definition of sustainable development for Hong Kong embodies three main

concepts:

- 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)

Definition of sustainable development for Hong Kong was also delineated in

SUSDEV 21 Study. It concluded that sustainable development in Hong
Kong balances social, economic and environmental needs, both for present
and future generations, simultaneously achieving a vibrant economy, social
progress and better environmental quality, locally, nationally and
internationally, through the efforts of the community and the
Government.

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1.6. Timeline for Sustainable Development in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, sustainability began with concerns over environmental
protection and management. The journey towards sustainable development in
Hong Kong can be traced back to the enactment of the Country Parks Ordinance
in the late 1970s and publication of the White Paper on Pollution in Hong
Kong A Time to Act in the late 1980s. In 1999, the former Chief Executive
pronounced the crucial importance of ensuring sustainable development for the
formulation of government policy in his Policy Address.

Hong Kong Timeline on Sustainable Development

1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's

1976-Country 1989-The 1989 White 1991-The First Review of 2000-Establishment of the

Parks Ordinance Paper on Pollution in Progress on the 1989 Joint Working Group on
Hong Kong A Time White Paper Sustainable Development and
to Act Environmental Protection
1993-The Second Review 2000-Completion of SUSDEV
of Progress on the 1989 21 and Computer Aided
White Paper Sustainability Evaluation Tool
(CASET)
1994-Chinas Agenda 21 2001-Establishment of the
Sustainable Development Unit
(SDU)
1996-The Third Review of 2002-Johannesburg Summit,
Progress on the 1989 the first time the HKSAR
White Paper Government sent an official
delegation to participate
1997-Commissioning of 2003-Establishment of the
the Study on Sustainable Council for Sustainable
Development in Hong Development
Kong for the 21st Century
(SUSDEV 21)
1998-The Fourth Review 2003-Establishment of the
of Progress on the 1989 Hong Kong Peoples Council
White Paper for Sustainable Development
(PCSD)
1998-Establishment of 2004-Hong Kong Declaration
Hong Kong Sustainable on Sustainable Development
Development Forum for Cities
(HKSDF)
1999-The Chief 2005-A First Sustainable
Executives 1999 Policy Development Strategy for
Address Hong Kong

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1.7. A First Sustainable Development Strategy for Hong Kong 2005

In December 2003, the Council for Sustainable Development began work on a
five-stage engagement process leading to the formulation of A First Sustainable
Development Strategy for Hong Kong. The Strategy presented a vision for Hong
Kongs sustainability:

"Our vision is for Hong Kong to be a healthy, economically vibrant and just
society that respects the natural environment and values its cultural heritage. By
engaging the community in the process of building a strategy for sustainable
development, we aim to ensure that Hong Kong will be a city for all to share and
enjoy, for this and future generations."

Three areas were identified for achieving the stated vision:

1. Solid waste management A community effort for sustainability
2. Renewable energy Acting locally on a global issue
3. Urban living space Creating a sustainable built environment

Strategic objectives and targets and 15 key initiatives were suggested for
each of the above three areas.

Towards Sustainable Solid Waste Management

1. To embark on educational programmes to reduce waste generation.

2. To introduce community programmes to encourage territory-wide separation

of waste at source and introduce measures to facilitate household
participation.

3. To step up implementation of the polluter-pays principle through the

introduction of fiscal measures such as product responsibility schemes and
green tax.

4. To develop a policy to promote the recycling industry.

5. To establish an EcoPark exclusively for the environmental industry.

6. To examine the introduction of charges for municipal solid waste.

7. To consult the public on the introduction of advanced technologies for the

bulk treatment of solid waste.

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Towards the Sustainable Use of Energy

8. To work with the power companies and other stakeholders to organise more
education campaigns on RE.

9. To establish by 2006 a policy on the installation of RE facilities as part of

new government buildings and major public sector projects.

10. To work with the power companies on arrangements for simplifying

procedures for RE suppliers to gain access to the existing electricity grid,
with the aim of having appropriate procedures in place in the post 2008
electricity market, and to encourage them to use RE sources for power
generation.

11. To draw up by 2007 a sustainable energy policy that has regard to measures
aimed at promoting the use of RE and encouraging energy efficiency and
conservation.

Towards Sustainable Urban Living Space

12. To consult stakeholders on guidelines for revitalisation and redevelopment

of older urban areas for inclusion in the Urban Renewal Strategy by 2006,
and to publicise the document widely.

13. In the context of the "HK 2030" study, to explain clearly the sustainability
implications for further development of the New Territories, with a view to
having a framework for sustainable detailed planning through stakeholder
consultation in place by 2006.

14. To continue to implement and keep under review the current guidelines on
sustainable urban design.

15. Having regard to the effectiveness of measures to promote sustainable

building design features, to consider further enhancing sustainable building
design guidelines, with a view to drawing up recommendations for
improvement, including an assessment of the implications of setting
mandatory requirements in this area by 2007.

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1.8. Hong Kong: 8 Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development

The Government has adopted the following eight guiding principles for
sustainable development:

Economy Hong Kong should achieve a competitive and prosperous market-based

economy which provides the resources to meet the needs and aspirations
of the population, both now and in the future.

Health and Hong Kong should provide a living and working environment and
Hygiene pursue policies which promote and protect the physical and mental
health and safety of the people of Hong Kong.

Natural Hong Kong should promote the sustainable use of natural resources to
Resources minimize its ecological footprint through improving consumption
efficiency, minimizing the use of non-renewable resources and re-using,
recycling waste and recovering energy from wastes.

Society and Hong Kong should foster a stable, equitable, ethical and progressive
Social society and enable present and future individuals to contribute to and
Infrastructure fulfill their potential by providing universal access to adequate and
appropriate educational opportunity and social infrastructure.

Biodiversity To maintain the biodiversity of Hong Kong and to minimize any threat
which consumption in Hong Kong may have on biodiversity elsewhere.

Leisure and Protect and enhance the vibrancy of Hong Kongs recreational
Cultural opportunities, leisure activities, cultural diversity, archaeological,
Vibrancy historical and architectural assets.

Environmental Hong Kong should be pro-active in avoiding environmental problems for

Quality present and future generations, seek to find opportunities to enhance
environmental quality, and minimize the unwanted side effects, locally,
nationally and internationally, of development and inefficiencies such as
air, noise and water pollution or land contamination.

Mobility Hong Kong should provide safe, accessible, efficient and clean transport
systems and pedestrian facilities along with an efficient transport
network for the movement of goods and facilitation of services for the
community.

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