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LCQ11:Target and work on emission reduction
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     Following is a question by Hon Dr Pan Pey-chyou and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (March 3):

Question:

     The State Council announced last year that our country had decided to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product to 40% to 45% by 2020 as compared with that of the 2005 in terms of carbon intensity, and the aforesaid target had been submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  At the meeting of this Council on December 2 last year, the Secretary for the Environment indicated that the SAR Government would try to tie in with the country's efforts to achieve the goal of reducing carbon intensity and take this opportunity to review the Government's relevant policies and objectives.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether the emission reduction work being carried out currently in Hong Kong will be included in the country's targets for carbon intensity reduction; if so, when it will commence to report on such work; if not, the reasons for that;

(b) whether the SAR Government will undertake that Hong Kong's target for carbon intensity reduction will not be lower than that set by the Central Government, so as to fulfil Hong Kong's responsibility as a developed city to address climate change issues; if not, of the reasons for that;

(c) given that a consultant was engaged to conduct a consultancy study on climate change in 2008 by the authorities, whether the authorities will, in response to the outcome of the study, formulate various emission reduction plans for achieving different emission reduction targets; if not, of the reasons for that;

(d) given that the Chief Executive had earlier proposed to develop the six economic areas where Hong Kong has enjoyed clear advantages, which include the environmental industry, whether the authorities will take the opportunity of addressing climate change to discuss with the Central Government and seek mutual complement, with a view to developing the environmental industry and creating more employment opportunities for local workers; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(e) of the latest progress and details of the efforts made by the Chief Secretary for Administration during the discussion at the Liaison and Co-ordinating Meeting of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao in Jointly Taking Forward the Implementation of "The Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta" to include a specific low-carbon development project in the 12th Five-Year Plan?

Reply:

President,

(a) According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the Convention), China (including Hong Kong SAR) is obliged to submit to the United Nations (UN) its national communications on implementing the Convention.  In accordance with UN's requirements, the Central People's Government (CPG) will submit its Second National Communications (SNC) at around 2012.  For this purpose, the Administration will prepare the specifics about Hong Kong as input to the CPG document.  On the voluntary national target announced by CPG on November 26, 2009 (i.e. to reduce carbon intensity by 40%-45% by 2020 as compared with 2005 level), we understand that the CPG has already reported it to UN in January 2010 in accordance with the Copenhagen Accord.  Hong Kong, as part of China, will together with the Mainland follow the relevant requirements in the Copenhagen Accord and the Convention to report every two years to UN those mitigation actions that have been taken to achieve the voluntary national target, as well as their domestic measurement, reporting and verification results.

(b) Vigorous actions are being pursued to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Following CPG's announcement of the voluntary national target, the Administration has been studying how to enhance Hong Kong's mitigation options so that practical strategies to combat climate change could be developed.  The Administration is in full agreement with the direction being taken by CPG in combating climate change.  We will actively make efforts in support to achieving the voluntary national target in reducing carbon intensity.

(c) The Climate Change Consultancy Study being commissioned by the Government shall assess the likely impacts of climate change on Hong Kong.  The Study will explore additional strategies and measures on an objective scientific basis, and outline options to further reduce our GHG emissions as well as adapting to climate change.

(d) To control local GHG emissions, the Administration is taking active actions to enhance Hong Kong's overall energy efficiency (in particular at buildings).  Measures being implemented include providing $450 million under the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) to roll out the "Buildings Energy Efficiency Funding Schemes" (the Schemes) in April 2009.  The Schemes subsidize private building owners to conduct energy-cum-carbon audits and energy efficiency projects at their buildings.  To date, 300 applications have been approved, and upon completion of the energy efficiency improvement projects, there shall be an annual reduction of 43 million kWh in electricity usage, i.e. reduction of over 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.  The projects and auditing work also present green business opportunities.  In addition, the Administration has secured CPG's agreement to lower the thresholds for Hong Kong enterprises' participation in clean development mechanism projects in the Mainland.  Eligible Hong Kong enterprises may now invest in suitable energy efficiency projects, and participate in developing the new or renewable energy sectors etc.  The relevant arrangements were announced in December last year.

(e) The governments of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao are taking the opportunity under the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) (the Outline) to further enhance co-operation.  This includes formulating the Regional Co-operation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area (the Plan).  The Plan aims at transforming the PRD region into a sustainable, green and quality living area.  To improve the living environment in the PRD region, enhanced co-operation will be pursued in the areas of, inter alia, environment and conservation as well as low-carbon development.  The three governments will continue to jointly take forward the strategies and objectives in the Outline under "the Liaison and Co-ordinating Meeting of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao in Jointly Taking Forward the Implementation of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta", which includes the preparation of the Plan.  The compilation work is progressing well, and it is expected to be fully completed by the second quarter of 2010.  We will propose for CPG's consideration to include the development strategy of transforming the PRD region into a green and quality living area in the National 12th Five Year Plan and to provide relevant policy support, with a view to bringing the forward-looking and exemplary roles of the strategy into full play.

Ends/Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:47

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