Environment & Sustainability
Environment
The MTR Corporation has conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study under the EIA Ordinance. Following the approval of the EIA report by the Environmental Protection Department, the Environmental Permit was issued in October 2009.
All potential environmental impacts (including noise, visual, water quality, air quality, landscape, fisheries, cultural heritage, ecology and more) created as a consequence of the construction and during operation of the project have been studied, and appropriate mitigation measures recommended accordingly.
The Environmental Impact Assessment Report:
http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/english/textonly/aspd_550.html
For the 3-Dimension Assessment results, please visit:
http://202.128.236.109/pub/xrl/xrl3deia/index.htm
For the monthly updates on environmental monitoring, please visit:
https://edmsregent.dyndns.org/monitor/
For the monthly updates on environmental monitoring of Road Works at West Kowloon, please visit:
https://edmsregent.dyndns.org/roadworks
The Express Rail Link project will not affect any Champion Trees or any trees listed on the Register of Old and Valuable Trees, but will affect some common species found in Hong Kong. The MTR Corporation will plant the required number of suitable replacement trees in the same district as recommended by the authorities.
During the construction stage, the MTR Corporation will work closely with relevant government departments and neighbouring communities to monitor and to minimize any possible impact to the environment.
For more details on the environmental issues related to the Express Rail Link, please visit:
Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA-169/2009)
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Environment Impact Assessment Report |
3-Dimension Environment Impact Assessment Results |
Sustainability
Since the Express Rail Link runs through a tunnel, its impact on the environment and local communities is envisaged to be minimal. Furthermore, high-speed rail provides environmentally friendly train services compared with other cross-boundary transport modes. In the United Kingdom, on a per passenger-kilometre basis, the carbon emission per passenger on a Eurostar journey is only about 15% and 25% of that by plane and bus/coach respectively. It also consumes less energy and emits fewer pollutants by a similar order of magnitude.
Moreover, compared with aircraft and road vehicles that emit pollutants directly into the atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner, the emissions from the Express Rail Link will be mainly coming from the power plants, whose impact on the environment is easier to mitigate. If all Express Rail Link passengers (around 99,000 daily in 2016) were to use the cross-boundary coach instead, it is estimated that around 13 tonnes of additional carbon dioxide would be emitted daily, i.e. around 4,700 tonnes per annum, compared with the Express Rail Link.
