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In response to press enquiries on a number of recommendations on air quality management issues in the Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region made by the Civic Exchange today (November 4), a spokesman for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said these recommendations are in-line with the actions already and being taken by the Government.

"The Governments of the HKSAR and Guangdong have been working together closely to improve the air quality of the PRD Region," the spokesman said.

"In 1999 to 2002, the two Governments studied together the air pollution problem over the PRD area. We will continue to conduct whatever studies necessary for improving the air quality," he said.

In April 2002, the Governments reached a consensus on the emission reduction targets necessary for 2010. In December 2003, the Governments developed and agreed a PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan that includes, among other things, the emission reduction measures required to meet the targets.

A Special Panel has been set up under the Hong Kong - Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection to coordinate the implementation of the Management Plan and to monitor the progress of and review the effectiveness of various measures.

A joint air quality monitoring network for the PRD region will be completed within 2004. After testing, it will become fully operational in 2005. An emission inventory compilation manual will be developed and finalised within 2004. It will provide the standard methods for compiling emissions inventories for the PRD area and Hong Kong by HKSAR and Guangdong Governments as from 2005.

The detailed strategies for controlling air pollution covering both local and regional aspects and progress of the implementation of the Regional Air Quality Management Plan were reported to the Environmental Affairs Panel of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on October 25, 2004. A report will be made to the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) on November 8, 2004. The Government will continue to report to the LegCo and ACE on any progress as well as for seeking views and support.

On a standard for PM2.5, the spokesman said the reviews by the European Union and the United States were expected to be available around end 2005.

"We are closely monitoring all relevant reviews of different places and will, with reference to the results of those reviews and in conjunction with the local research findings by Environmental Protection Department, consider the need for amending the Air Quality Objectives on such accounts as the perspective of science and the local feasibility of new standards," he said.

"As for the collaboration of the energy sector in the PRD region, we agree that this would help improve the overall environment in the region. We have been working on this front. For example, we are liaising with the Guangdong Government with a view to implementing an emission trading mechanism between power companies in the two places."

"We will continue to explore other collaboration opportunities with our counterparts in Guangdong and our colleagues in the Economic Development and Labour Bureau which is responsible for the overall energy policy of Hong Kong," he added.

Ends/Thursday, November 4, 2004

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