It's been my most sobering year, says Christine Loh
Environment deputy tells of the struggle to get results when it comes to finding policies that can resolve some of the city's big green issues
For Christine Loh Kung-wai, her first year in the government has proved to be the "most sobering" time of her life.
The mood has descended as she tackled the city's worsening air pollution and mounting waste crisis.
On the day she stepped into her new office in Tamar, the undersecretary for the environment spoke of her aspirations to improve the environment.
A year later, Loh, scarred by the ongoing landfill extension saga, has found that implementing policy is every bit as challenging as setting it.
"One huge difference between being outside and inside government is the need to deliver, not just talk about what you should or should not do," she said. "We need to deliver on all counts."
Loh cited the experience of securing US$10 billion to phase out polluting diesel vehicles, a scheme she described as "the biggest of its kind in the world".
"You have to articulate and explain the scheme, work with stakeholders, co-ordinate with department colleagues and the Transport Department on how to implement it, and work out all the details before going to the legislature," she said.
