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Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, in the Legislative Council meeting today (November 15):
Question:
The Kyoto Protocol, an international convention intended for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and mitigating global climate change, has been applicable to Hong Kong since 2003. In this year's policy address, the Chief Executive has also pointed out that "As a world city, Hong Kong should not only attach importance to local pollution problems but also look at the wider picture. The crisis of global warming caused by the greenhouse effect is a major concern." In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has assessed the impact of global warming on Hong Kong in areas such as economic development, medical system, livelihood and welfare; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that and whether it will conduct such assessment in the future;
(b) of the progress in fulfilling its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol; and
(c) whether it will consider setting up an ad hoc group to examine the regulation of greenhouse gases emissions by individual industries, in particular the power stations?
Reply:
Madam President,
In the Policy Address delivered this October, the Chief Executive clearly pointed out that global warming caused by the greenhouse effect is a concern of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Apart from assisting the Central Government in fulfilling the obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, Hong Kong, as an international city, will try to reduce local emissions of greenhouse gases and assess through research the impact of climate change on Hong Kong in various areas.
Let me first introduce Hong Kong's obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and the progress made so far. Since 1992, over 180 countries have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the Convention), which calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and appropriate international response, in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and their social and economic conditions.
In 1997, Parties to the Convention signed the Kyoto Protocol to the Convention, under which Parties being industrialised economies (Annex I Parties) committed to limiting or reducing their individual greenhouse gases emissions to not more than 92% - 110% of the 1990 levels during the period from 2008 to 2012 in accordance with specific requirements. The total greenhouse gases emissions from all Annex I Parties should be reduced by at least 5% below the 1990 levels. In addition, three flexible mechanisms, namely emissions trading, joint implementation agreement and clean development mechanism, were introduced under the Kyoto Protocol to assist Annex I Parties in complying with their emissions limitation or reduction commitments. Based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, Parties not included in Annex I (Non-Annex I Parties) are not required to commit to limiting or reducing greenhouse gases emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force on February 16 2005.
According to the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol, China (including the Hong Kong SAR), like most of the other economies in the region such as South Korea and Singapore, is not required to commit to limiting or reducing the greenhouse gases emissions, but has to submit national communications in accordance with the specific requirements of the United Nations (UN).
Upon taking effect in China, the Kyoto Protocol is also applicable to the Hong Kong SAR. The Hong Kong SAR Government will assist the Central Government in fulfilling the obligations under the Kyoto Protocol by providing the following information -
(a) emission inventories of greenhouse gases;
(b) appropriate measures for Hong Kong to mitigate climate change and facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change;
(c) cooperation activities in promotion of development and application of the environmentally sound technologies pertinent to climate change;
(d) cooperation activities in scientific research related to climate change; and
(e) activities in promoting public awareness and disseminating the relevant messages.
As specifically required by the UN, non-Annex I Parties should do their best to submit a national communication within four years after obtaining the first payment of funds for compiling such communication from the relevant organisation of the UN. We understand that the relevant organisation of the UN has yet to grant the payment to China. Therefore, Hong Kong will submit the relevant information to the Central Government around 2010 and the Hong Kong SAR Government will prepare the information in the coming two years.
The Hong Kong SAR Government has conducted a number of scientific researches to make a preliminary assessment of the impact of climate change on Hong Kong in various areas. For example, the Hong Kong Observatory has been studying the relationship between climate change and meteorological factors, rainfall and changes in the sea level as well as the future trends; the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has explored the possibility of using renewable energy in Hong Kong; and the Environmental Protection Department has studied possible measures to control the greenhouse gases emissions and has made summary assessments in several areas such as the impact of climate change on energy consumption in Hong Kong. The findings of these studies are available on the websites of these departments.
In order to meet the specific requirements for compiling national communications on climate change, we will, when preparing the relevant information in the coming two years, study and adopt common international practices in the light of our socio-economic conditions and affordability, as well as the development priorities, objectives and circumstances of Hong Kong in assessing the impact of climate change on Hong Kong in various areas and in enhancing and improving our existing measures to mitigate climate change.
Although the greenhouse gases emissions of Hong Kong represent a very small portion of the global total emissions, the Hong Kong SAR Government has made a lot of efforts for years in implementing practicable measures to minimise the emissions. In 2004, for example, the greenhouse gases emissions per capita stood at 6.4 tonnes, representing a reduction of 7% as compared with 1990. The figure is far below the levels in most developed economies. Before evaluating the need to regulate greenhouse gases emissions of specific industries, we must fully consider the actual circumstances, including our affordability and the benefits of such regulatory measures.
Separately, according to the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol, China (including the Hong Kong SAR) can participate in the clean development mechanism. The Hong Kong SAR Government and the Central Government have been discussing the specific arrangements applicable to the Hong Kong SAR with a view to formulating them as soon as possible.
Finally, I would like to reiterate that the Hong Kong SAR Government will, as always, continue to make every effort in doing its part in reducing local greenhouse gases emissions. However, it is impossible to resolve the climate change problem solely through the efforts of individual countries. Its success depends on the concerted efforts of all the countries around the world.
Ends/Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:09
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