As emphasised in the current environmental plan, local governments ultimately have primary responsibility for effective policy implementation. In the 9th FYP (1996-2000), the government for the first time articulated numerical targets for controlling some types of air and water pollution, as well as other environmental objectives (Chang and Wang, 2010). More stringent S02 and COD reduction targets were set out in the 10th FYP but were not achieved. In contrast marked progress was made during the 11th FYP which again set targets for reducing key pollutants as well as improving air and water quality and increasing energy and water efficiency (Table 2.4).