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Following is a question by Hon Kenneth Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (December 3):
Question:
The Government commissioned a consultancy study in 2008 to assess the impacts of climate change on Hong Kong, and to recommend long-term strategies and measures. The study outcome recommended a reduction in carbon intensity by 50 per cent to 60 per cent by 2020 when compared with the 2005 level. To achieve the target, the study outcome also recommended the adoption of a strategy and action agenda. Subsequently, the Government launched a public consultation in September 2010, and released a report on the public consultation on Hong Kong's Climate Change Strategy and Action Agenda (the Agenda) in April this year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the implementation timetable of the Agenda; the relevant estimates and actual expenditures of various government departments in each of the past five years;
(2) of the work arrangements and workflow (including the work of assignment, distribution, coordination, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, etc.) adopted by various government departments for implementing the Agenda; the staffing establishment involved (including the number of additional posts and internal staff deployment); whether they have provided on-the-job training for their staff; if so, of the expenditures involved; whether they have employed people with climate change related qualifications or professional backgrounds; if so, of the entry requirements of the relevant posts; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) of the achievements of various government departments since the implementation of the Agenda; whether the authorities regularly measure the levels of carbon emissions and carbon intensity so as to assess the effectiveness of their work; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; of the latest work progress of various government departments;
(4) given that the Synthesis Report on Climate Change was just released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in early November this year, whether the authorities will review the various targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation and climate change adaptation as set out in the Agenda, and make corresponding adjustments in the light of the Report; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5) given that China and the United States (US) issued the China-US Joint Announcement on Climate Change in early November this year, whether the authorities will review the common policy objectives, measures and modes of cooperation drawn up with the Pearl River Delta Region in respect of GHG mitigation and climate change adaptation; if they will, of the details and the specific tasks; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(1) to (3) Since the Government introduced the "Hong Kong's Climate Change Strategy and Action Agenda" (the Action Agenda) in 2010, actions have been taken by relevant bureaux and departments on various fronts to enhance energy efficiency in buildings, promote green road transport, enhance conversion of waste into energy, and improve future fuel mix for electricity generation, with a view to achieving carbon intensity reduction target of 50 per cent to 60 per cent in 2020 as compared with the 2005 level. At the same time, bureaux and departments have implemented a wealth of adaptive measures and plans to strengthen Hong Kong's capacity in tackling the possible impacts of climate change. In April this year, the Government submitted the consultation report to the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs to report on the implementation timetable, progress and outcome of measures as set out in the Action Agenda. Progress in implementing the key measures in the Action Agenda is summarised at Annex.
Relevant bureaux and departments have integrated the implementation measures of the Action Agenda in their respective work portfolios, such as enactment of legislation, updating of standards, development of public transport infrastructure, improving capacity in flood prevention, improving contingency plans for landslip incidents, meteorological monitoring, staff training, and public education. The resources required and staff establishments are met by the concerned bureaux and departments.
The implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation measures such as enhancing energy efficiency, promoting green road transport and enhancing the conversion of waste into energy, etc., as well as adaptation measures such as meteorological monitoring, flood prevention and improving landslip contingency plans, etc., involve manpower from different professions. Departments concerned have recruited relevant professionals and provided appropriate on-the-job training according to their work requirements.
The Government set up in 2007 the Inter-departmental Working Group on Climate Change (the Working Group) chaired by the Environment Bureau. The Working Group monitors the formulation and carrying out of policies and measures in controlling GHG emissions and in adapting to climate change by relevant bureaux and departments. A recent review indicates that Hong Kong's carbon intensity in 2011 has been reduced by 18.5 per cent from the 2005 level. We will continue to use the Working Group as a platform to monitor the progress in implementing the measures as set out in the Action Agenda.
(4) The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report (the Synthesis Report) in November this year. The Synthesis Report reconfirms that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and it is extremely likely that the human influence is the dominant cause of warming since the mid-20th century. The Synthesis Report points out that it would require sustained reductions in GHG emissions and implementation of adaptation measures in order to ensure that the impacts of climate change remain within a manageable range. We had assessed the impacts of climate change to Hong Kong when setting out policies and measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Action Agenda, and recommended long term strategies and practicable measures according to the actual situation of Hong Kong. We will continue to pursue the measures as set out in the Action Agenda with a view to achieving the carbon intensity reduction target in 2020 and enhancing Hong Kong's adaptive capacity, and to work with the international community to rise to the challenge of climate change.
(5) To tie in with the national target promulgated by the Central People's Government in November 2009 to reduce carbon dioxide intensity (i.e. carbon dioxide produced for each yuan of national income) by 40 per cent to 45 per cent by 2020 as compared with the 2005 level, Hong Kong has set out a carbon intensity reduction target of 50 per cent to 60 per cent by 2020 as compared with the 2005 level, which is equivalent to about one-fifth to one-third absolute reduction of our total GHG emissions.
To strengthen exchanges on combating climate change, the Hong Kong/Guangdong Joint Liaison Group on Combating Climate Change (the Joint Liaison Group) was set up under the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in 2011. The Joint Liaison Group is co-chaired by the Secretary for the Environment and the Director of the Guangdong Development and Reform Commission to co-ordinate the relevant measures and activities on combating climate change, as well as to promote related scientific research and technology development. Under the China-US Joint Announcement on Climate Change and Clean Energy Cooperation (the Joint Announcement), China targets to peak carbon dioxide emissions (i.e. to reach highest carbon dioxide total emissions) in around 2030. The Joint Announcement has provided impetus to the sustained actions by Hong Kong and Guangdong in reducing GHG emissions. We will continue to promote cooperation between the two sides on combating climate change through the work of the Joint Liaison Group.
Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:37
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