HK's Updates: Air Pollution Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013 published in Gazette today to ban all asbestos (27 Sep 2013)

Air Pollution Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013 published in Gazette today to ban all asbestos
****************************************************

     The Government will introduce the Air Pollution Control (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013 into the Legislative Council to ban the use of all types of asbestos to better protect public health.

     "The Amendment Bill expands the existing control regime, which currently bans the import and sale of the more hazardous blue asbestos (crocidolite) and brown asbestos (amosite) and controls activities involving asbestos-containing materials, to include the banning of the import, transhipment, supply and use of all types of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials. It will also make related amendments to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Asbestos) Regulation to prohibit the use of all types of asbestos in industrial undertakings," a spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Department said.

     Asbestos was widely used in friction, fireproofing, insulation and building materials before the mid-1980s because of its very high tensile strength and good heat and chemical resistance properties. It is, however, a confirmed human carcinogen. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. A total ban of asbestos will further reduce the health risks and improve the environment.

     Under the Amendment Bill, any person who imports, tranships, supplies or uses asbestos or asbestos-containing materials commits an offence and will be liable to a fine of up to $200,000 and imprisonment for up to six months upon conviction.

     The bill, which is published in the Gazette today (September 27), will be introduced into the Legislative Council on October 23.

Ends/Friday, September 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:00

NNNN

Source: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201309/27/P201309270262.htm

Read More

New Book: Adapting to Sea Level Rise in the Coastal Zone Law and Policy Considerations By Chad J. McGuire (26 Mar 2013)

Adapting to Sea Level Rise in the Coastal Zone

Law and Policy Considerations

By Chad J. McGuire

Published 26th March 2013 by CRC Press – 232 pages

Description:

Comprehensive, but not overly technical, this book provides a legal-policy framework to the discussion of how coastal managers can best approach the problem of sea level rise. It identifies legal barriers and offers proposed solutions to mitigate the impact of those barriers. The book introduces the issue, delves into the science behind sea level rise, discusses policy complexities and options, followed by an overview of related legalities, then, bringing it all together, the author applies the principles offered in the book, concluding with strategies and solutions and a perspective on the future.

Contents:

Introduction
Science Behind Sea Level Rise

Introduction
Current Observations
Future Predictions
Major Coastal Land Feature Considerations
Conclusion
References

Policy Options
Introduction
Framing the Policy Questions Related to Sea Level Rise
Adaptation Approaches
Considerations among Adaptation Approaches
Conclusion
References

Legal Considerations
Introduction
Background on Legal Considerations
Traditional Land-Use Planning Laws
The Takings Question
Government Options
Conclusion
References

Index

For more information: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781466559806/

Read More

Events: In the People’s Interest: Openings for Pollution Public Interest Law Cases in China

In the People’s Interest: Openings for Pollution Public Interest Law Cases in China

November 27, 2012 // 9:00am — 11:00am

China recently amended its civil procedure law to allow nongovernmental organizations to sue on behalf of the public interest. This provision could be transformative, and Chinese NGOs will have to learn quickly how to litigate public interest lawsuits. There has been only one public interest case brought by a grassroots NGO to look to and learn from so far: a pending case brought by two NGOs over illegal chromium pollution in Yunnan province. The speakers at this panel will discuss how and why public interest law has become a “hot” topic among the law, policy, and NGO communities. They will discuss the facts of this case as well as the obstacles the attorneys have faced. They will also analyze why this case was accepted, unlike the many others that have been rejected. Finally, they will analyze the implications of what we know about this case for future environmental public interest cases.

This event is cosponsored with Vermont Law School

LOCATION: 

6th Floor, Woodrow Wilson Center

DIRECTIONS TO THE WILSON CENTER

 

Event Speakers List: 

• Jessica Scott //
  Attorney at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of General Counsel
• Jingjing Liu //
  Vermont Law School

• Robert V. Percival //
  Robert F. Stanton Professor of Law and the Director of the Environmental Law Program at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law.

For more information: 

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/the-people%E2%80%99s-interest-openings-for-pollution-public-interest-law-cases-china

Read More

EPD - The Statutory Ban against Idling of Motor Vehicle Engines

Background 

Allowing idling vehicles to run their engines causes air pollution, heat and noise nuisances and wastes fuel, thereby contributing to global climate change.  To tackle these environmental problems, the Administration introduced in April 2010 the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill to the Legislative Council (LegCo) after consulting the public.  After deliberation and scrutiny by the Bills Committee of the LegCo, the Bill was passed in March 2011.

Effective Date
  
The Ordinance comes into operation on 15 December 2011.

For more information:

http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/idling_prohibition.html

Read More