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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, attended the ninth Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Energy Ministers' Meeting (EMM) in Fukui, Japan, today (June 19) and joined ministers responsible for energy from the other 20 member economies of APEC in a discussion on the "Low Carbon Path to Energy Security".
Mr Yau told the delegates that Hong Kong sought to address energy security through a variety of means. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mainland, Hong Kong enjoys a higher degree of energy security and a better environment with the increased use of clean energy for power generation. On long-term strategy, Mr Yau said Hong Kong has been working to increase its energy diversity and reduce its dependence on fossil fuel.
He also presented Hong Kong's key efforts in tackling climate change by promoting energy efficiency, particularly in buildings as about 90% of our power consumption is related to buildings.
In the discussion on low emission energies, Mr Yau stressed that besides vigorously promoting the wider use of clean energy in its fuel mix for power generation, the Hong Kong Government has focused efforts on developing renewable energy in targeted areas such as solar, wind and energy from waste.
He also took the opportunity to have bilateral meetings with the delegates from Australia and the United States to discuss issues of mutual concern.
Mr Yau will proceed to Tokyo tomorrow (June 20) after the EMM concludes.
Ends/Saturday, June 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:51
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