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The Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group (JWG) on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection held its 10th meeting in Guangzhou today (December 7).
The meeting reviewed the progress of various environmental co-operation initiatives. Both sides agreed that good progress had been made on different fronts, including improving regional air quality, promoting cleaner production, protecting water environment, as well as managing the forestry and marine resources in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region.
Major Achievements
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The two sides signed the Environmental Co-operation Agreement between Hong Kong SAR and Guangdong at the Hong Kong - Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference on August 19 to strengthen environmental co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong. Both sides agreed to improve the environmental quality of the region through enhancing co-operation and related mechanisms with a view to transforming the PRD region into a green and quality living area. Co-operation will be further stepped up in combating air pollution, protecting water quality, recycling and reuse of reusable materials, forestry conservation, protecting marine fisheries resources, cleaner production and promoting eco-business development.
Both governments are committed to achieving the mutually agreed emission reduction targets by 2010. During the past year, substantial efforts have been made to implement control measures set out in the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan. According to the report on the monitoring results of the PRD Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network jointly released this year, the overall regional air quality in 2008 improved considerably compared to that in 2007, notwithstanding the continuing economic growth in the region. This is attributable to the continuous efforts of both sides in implementing the enhanced emission reduction measures.
In addition, the two sides have established a study team to look into the formulation of the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan for 2011-2020. The study is expected to be completed in 2010.
To further improve regional air quality and energy efficiency, both sides are taking active steps to implement the "Co-operation Agreement to Promote Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Production and Comprehensive Utilisation of Resources to Enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong" to encourage enterprises in the region to adopt energy efficient and cleaner production practices. These include working together with the economic and trade authorities and other departments of the nine PRD municipalities (i.e. Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Jiangmen, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Zhaoqing) to take forward the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme, and jointly organise awareness promotion activities to encourage the adoption of energy efficiency and emission reduction technologies. Satisfactory progress has been made so far with about 400 projects approved under the programme.
To further galvanise efforts to promote cleaner production, both sides jointly launched the Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition Scheme in August to recognise the efforts of Hong Kong-owned enterprises in pursuing cleaner production. The first batch of 51 enterprises were recognised as "Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners" at the presentation ceremony on November 25.
Both sides also reached a consensus in respect of commissioning an initial study on the regional water quality management plan for the Pearl River Estuary. The initial study, to be commissioned in 2010, will make use of the mathematical model jointly developed by the two sides to assess the water quality of the Pearl River Estuary and the environmental capacity of the estuary for meeting various water quality objectives. The study is expected to be completed in 2013. It will provide a scientific basis for formulating regional water quality management plans.
In addition, the two sides have maintained close liaison and collaboration in protecting the water environment of Dongjiang to safeguard the quality of water supply.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen began the first review of the regional water quality control strategy for Mirs Bay in October 2008. The review, which is planned for completion by 2011, will make recommendations on protecting the Mirs Bay water environment and meeting the sustainable development objectives. Hong Kong and Shenzhen are also working together to improve the water quality of Shenzhen Bay in accordance with the Deep Bay (Shenzhen Bay) Water Pollution Control Joint Implementation Programme 2007 (revised edition) and the agreed pollutant reduction targets for Shenzhen Bay.
On forestry development and nature conservation, the two sides have continued exchanges and training of personnel on hill fire prevention and abatement, afforestation, protection of endangered animal and plant species, wetland conservation and management, as well as prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests.
On marine resources conservation, exchanges and co-operation have been actively carried out in the areas of conservation and research of artificial reefs, Chinese white dolphins, coral reefs and sea turtles. A joint enforcement operation was also conducted in April to combat illegal fishing activities in the waters between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
Work Plan for 2010
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The two sides have reviewed the achievements on environmental cooperation, and agreed to further step up co-operation in accordance with the Environmental Co-operation Agreement between Hong Kong SAR and Guangdong. The work plan for 2010 includes the following key areas-
- Continue to implement the control measures under the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan to improve regional air quality with a view to achieving the emission reduction targets by 2010;
- Undertake a joint study on the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan for 2011-2020, and strive for completion by 2010;
- Actively carry out the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme, the Hong Kong - Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners Recognition Scheme and related activities in accordance with the "Co-operation Agreement to Promote Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Production and Comprehensive Utilisation of Resources to Enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong";
- Jointly begin the initial study on the Pearl River Estuary water quality management co-operation plan;
- Continue with the work in protecting the water quality of Dongjiang and maintain close liaison to safeguard the quality of water supply;
- Proactively implement the water pollution abatement actions for Shenzhen Bay, and jointly take forward the first review of the regional water quality control strategy for Mirs Bay;
- Continue exchanges and training on afforestation, urban greening, forest pest control as well as the protection of endangered animal and plant species. The two sides will explore co-operation and exchanges opportunities regarding protection of wetland mangroves in the Pearl River Estuary, afforestation in Dongjiang, protection of wild animal and plant species and surveillance of related diseases, tree planting and forestry technology;
- Continue to enhance co-operation and exchanges on conservation and research work on fishery resources development, Chinese white dolphins, sea turtles and coral reefs. Other areas for co-operation and exchanges will be explored, including the construction and assessing the effectiveness of artificial reefs, conservation of rare marine animals, research on red tide incidents, mariculture, and fishery resources management and enforcement; and
- Foster co-operation in promoting green business development in both places by exploring new co-operation models for recycling and reuse of detoxified and reusable materials.
Ends/Monday, December 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:51
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