The deterioration in the air quality in Hong Kong is just one of the many manifestations of the damage to the environment caused unconsciously by our daily routines.

Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, caused by our business-as-usual activities such as burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests, are showing their toll.

According to the Observatory, Hong Kong recorded its hottest February and September this year since records were first kept 125 years ago. The climate is expected to become more extreme in
the coming years, and in particular there may not be days with a temperature of less than 12 degrees Celsius anymore.

The environment is a public resource that everyone has an obligation to conserve. Wastage of any sort is effectively damage to the environment and to the precious natural resources that it provides us with.

Despite this, humans sadly continue to be the worst generator of waste. In 2007, Hong Kong generated 6.25 million tonnes of municipal solid waste. It is estimated that the three strategic landfills at Tuen Mun, Ta Kwu Ling and Tseung Kwan O in Hong Kong will run out of capacity by the mid 2010s.

Paper management

Paper makes up over 25% of the composition of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong. The life cycle of one tonne of office paper, from production to disposal in a landfill, results in the release of about 11 tonnes of carbon dioxide and equivalent gases, which is a significant and preventable element of global climate change.

Law offices tend to be paper-intensive. In the course of running our legal practices, there are in fact numerous ways in which each of us can help reduce wastage.

Contribution to paper wastage reduction is simple and can be adopted immediately through the following initiatives in our daily business operation.

‧ Think twice before printing to make sure that it is necessary.
‧ Always copy and print double sided.
‧ Re-use paper (but care must be taken not to re-use privileged / confidential documents by mistake!), envelopes and stationery.
‧ Use chlorine free, 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
‧ Use electronic communication wherever possible.

Energy management

Energy management is another measure that law offices can adopt to help save the environment as well as overhead expenses for the business. Simple steps include the following.

‧ Change to energy efficient light bulbs.
‧ Switch off unnecessary lighting for areas not in use and dim lighting in perimeter areas.
‧ Ensure that all electrical appliances including computers, copiers and printers are switched off or switched to energy-saving mode when not in use.
‧ Use rechargeable batteries for calculators, remote controls and other office equipment to minimise battery disposal.
‧ Set the office air-conditioned temperature to a reasonable level in summer.

Talking about indoor temperature, I have experienced airconditioned temperature of 15 degrees Celsius in Hong Kong with employees wearing woollen jackets. I am also aware of the Japanese
example of legislating for an indoor air-conditioned temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. What I advocate is a reasonable approach taking into account the function of air-conditioning and the obligation not to abuse its use to the detriment of the environment.

If we make a conscious effort to minimise waste and utilise every opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle any waste that we generate, I am confident that we can effect a sustainable reduction of the damage
that we have been causing to the environment. The Law Society will be inviting relevant organisations to make presentations to our members on ways law offices may help conserve the environment.

Environmental law practice

In the 2009/10 Policy Address, the Chief Executive unveiled the Government’s measures to support six industries selected as Hong Kong’s new economic ‘pillars’. Environmental industries, together with the other five industries – namely, education, medical services, innovation and technology, cultural and creative industries and food safety and product testing – are expected to receive preferential boosters to their development.

This will create significant business opportunities for businesses in the sector including waste reduction, recovery and recycling. A recent market research report by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council forecast that the environmental market could reach HK$90 billion by 2018.

Against this development trend, environmental law practice will naturally become an emerging practice area with a lot of potential for expansion. A commitment to address environmental issues will therefore not only improve our living environment, but also bring in new business opportunities for legal practitioners.

Hong Kong as a world city

As a world city, Hong Kong enjoys an outstanding reputation internationally. The following are just a few of its achievements extracted from a long list.
(a) According to the World Investment Report 2009, Hong Kong continues to be Asia’s second largest and the world’s seventh largest Foreign Direct Investment recipient.
(b) According to the World Competitiveness Scoreboard 2009, Hong Kong ranks second in the world based on 329 different competitiveness criteria including economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
(c) Global Financial Centres Index September 2009 ranks Hong Kong as Asia’s top financial city and third in the world.

However, in terms of living environment for expatriates, Hong Kong ranks only 11th globally and pollution is a major culprit for the low ranking. To live up to its reputation as a world city, Hong Kong should not only attach importance to economic growth. Securing sustainable development for our future generations and addressing pressing environmental issues are of equal importance.

Hong Kong deserves and is able to afford a better living environment to match with its outstanding achievements as an international financial centre. We can all contribute to make a difference.

Whilst on the topic of ‘blue sky’, members of POLA have recently agreed to form special committees to study, among other issues, into ways to tighten the so-called ‘blue sky laws’ in their respective jurisdictions. This aims at updating and improving existing regulations designed to protect inexperienced investors from speculative ventures as evidenced by the problems, legal and social, created by high risk financial products.

This is echoed in the 2009/10 Policy Address where the Chief Executive highlights the public concern in respect of the regulatory regime and the entire sales process of investment products. He aims to strengthen investor protection in every aspect, from investor education, authorisation of investment products, disclosure requirements, sales practices, conduct of intermediaries to financial disputes resolution.