ABSTRACT
The use of diesel by buses, as well as by freight vehicles, is a major contributor to air pollution in Hong Kong. Barron canvasses the options available to the territory for reducing air pollution from such vehicles. The experience of the more affluent cities of the so-called 'developed world' suggests that accommodative approaches to urban vehicle growth are just not sustainable on a long-term basis. Barron points to the increasing levels of emissions from diesel vehicles as being of particular concern since these account for two thirds of the vehicle kilometers travelled in the territory. The emphasis on the private sector and market forces to resolve location issues in Hong Kong has resulted in an extreme situation whereby residential expansion is now primarily taking place in the New Territories and employment expansion in the central area. This is creating a mounting journey-to-work commuting problem for public transport and leading to more air pollution as diesel bus services expand.
