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Following is a question by the Hon Audrey Eu and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (November 14):
Question:
In the 2007-08 Policy Agenda, the Government has stated that it will encourage drivers to use biodiesel as motor vehicle fuel. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has estimated the consumption of auto-biodiesel in Hong Kong in the coming three years, and the impact of a wider use of such fuel on the environment (particularly on air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions); if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) of the measures, other than the duty-free policy, to encourage drivers to switch to using such fuel;
(c) when it will complete the formulation of the specifications of such fuel; and
(d) what measures it will take to promote the use of such fuel at the retail level?
Reply:
Madam President,
Biodiesel is a type of renewable energy. The main environmental benefits of replacing fossil diesel with biodiesel lie in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, thereby helping to relieve global warming. The future consumption level of biodiesel in Hong Kong will depend on its acceptance by local drivers and market factors. Therefore at this stage, we are unable to provide an estimate on the amount of biodiesel to be consumed in Hong Kong in the coming three years. On the assumption that 5% of the vehicle diesel now being used in Hong Kong were replaced by biodiesel, our crude estimate is that the emissions of some 129 000 tonnes of ¡§carbon dioxide equivalent¡¨ of greenhouse gases could be reduced, representing about 0.3% of Hong Kong¡¦s total emissions in 2005.
Similar to many overseas countries, we mainly promote the use of biodiesel through duty concession. To this end, the Government has pledged in this year¡¦s Policy Address to continue to maintain the duty-free policy for biodisel. Besides, to strengthen users¡¦ confidence and help control the impact of biodiesel on the environment, we will draw up the specifications for auto-biodiesel to ensure its quality.
We plan to amend the Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) Regulation (Cap. 311L) to stipulate the specifications for auto-biodiesel for Hong Kong with reference to the European Union standards. We will commence a consultation shortly in preparation for the necessary legislative work. We expect the new regulation to commence in early 2009.
Our policy is to provide the necessary conditions favourable to a wider use of biodiesel. Apart from continuing to maintain the duty-free policy for biodiesel, we will explain the relevant proposals to the major oil companies when drawing up the specifications for auto-biodiesel and during the consultation process. We will also assist companies interested in setting up biodiesel retail outlets in Hong Kong by providing them with the necessary information, including liaison with the relevant Government departments.
Ends/Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:15
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