DSPA unveils five-year air quality improvement plan

The Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) has unveiled a five-year plan aimed at enhancing environmental protection, with a focus on improving air quality.

In response to lawmaker Ho Ion Sang’s inquiry about reducing air pollutants, the DSPA, referencing the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG), reported that the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau have collaborated to establish a joint air quality monitoring network to combat ozone pollution in the Pearl River Delta.

The network has recently conducted joint monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), providing a scientific basis for analyzing ozone formation mechanisms and formulating effective control measures.

According to a recent DSPA statement, in addition to products containing VOCs that are already regulated by law, the authorities will explore implementing further regulations on ozone and VOC-containing products. These efforts, informed by joint monitoring across the three regions, aim to reduce emissions of these pollutants.

The statement emphasized efforts to raise public awareness of pollution and promote green consumption through green school programs, specialized lectures, and the annual Macau International Environmental Cooperation and Development Forum and Exhibition (MIECF).

It also highlighted the Consumer Council’s (CC) initiatives to encourage sustainable consumption, conduct surveys, and enhance public education—fostering a culture of resource conservation and environmentally friendly product selection.