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Press Release
6th meeting of JWG on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection held in Guangzhou
The Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group (JWG) on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection held its sixth meeting in Guangzhou today (December 20).
During the meeting, the two sides examined the implementation of environmental co-operation initiatives and discussed the progress of implementing the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Regional Air Quality Management Plan this year, as well as the work plan for 2006.
The two sides said that the seven special panels set up under the JWG had made good progress in the past year and that they had had significant success in implementing the Management Plan.
For example, since November 30, the jointly established Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network had been formally commissioned and the PRD Regional Air Quality Index published on a daily basis.
The enhanced control measures under the Management Plan were well on schedule. Moreover, the two sides exchanged ideas and know-how on air quality monitoring, air emissions inventory compilation, preventive measures on vehicles emissions and continuous emissions monitoring of stationary pollution sources.
On the proposals from the PRD Air Quality Management and Monitoring Special Panel, the JWG agreed to include in the Management Plan additional enhanced measures.
These measures include introducing emission caps for the power plants in Hong Kong, tightening control over pollutant emissions from major pollution sources in the PRD, studying the feasibility of advancing the implementation of more stringent motor vehicle emission standards in Mainland cities, and stepping up regular inspection of in-use motor vehicles. The measures aimed to further consolidate the achievements under the Management Plan.
The two Governments would also strengthen exchanges and co-operation on continuous emissions monitoring of stationary pollution sources and enhance the reliability of the two sides’ systems and the comparability of data.
Noting that the two governments shared the same concern about improving the regional air quality, the two sides said they would continue to make their best efforts in implementing the tasks under the Management Plan.
Moreover, both sides were determined to implementing the tasks jointly under the Management Plan and would continue to improve the Management Plan, with a view to achieving the emissions reduction targets by 2010. In 2006, the major tasks under the Management Plan include the following:
- On combating air pollution from the power generation industry, Phase I construction of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) trunk pipeline in Guangdong Province will be completed in 2006 and a number of LNG power plants are expected to be commissioned in phases. This will substantially reduce the PRD’s reliance on the more polluting fuel oil and coal. Moreover, existing oil-fired and coal-fired power plants in Guangdong Province will continue to install flue gas desulphurization systems.
- On controlling emissions from motor vehicles, the Guangdong Provincial Government will strive to advance the implementation of National III motor vehicle emission standards (on a par with Euro III ones) in PRD cities while Hong Kong will implement Euro IV motor vehicle emission standards in line with the EU in 2006.
- The data collected by the Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network will be analysed by the environmental protection authorities of the two governments. A regional air quality monitoring report will be submitted on a half-year basis, providing the public with more information on the air quality in the PRD.
- The environmental protection authorities of the two governments will continue to strengthen technical exchanges and joint studies, especially on continuous emissions monitoring of stationary pollution sources and commissioning studies on regional air pollution on a need basis.
- Details of the Emission Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants in the PRD Region being jointly developed by the two sides are expected to be finalised by mid-2006. Subject to agreement of the two governments, details will be presented to the power plants in Hong Kong and Guangdong in the third quarter of 2006 so that prospective participants can identify their trading partners and draw up emission trading agreements.
Apart from the measures to improve the regional air quality, the JWG agreed to continue widening the scope of environmental co-operation. Major initiatives include the following:
- The development of a water quality model for the Pearl River Estuary region is expected to be completed in 2006. It will provide a scientific basis for the next phase of work to improve the water quality of the Pearl River Estuary.
- The two sides are studying additional measures and further joint actions required to control water pollution in Shenzhen Bay (Deep Bay). Such work is expected to be completed by end 2006.
The major tasks for the two sides in 2006 also include the protection of Dongjiang water quality, afforestation, conservation of marine resources, promotion of energy efficiency and cleaner production to corporations in both places, and strengthening of technical exchanges and training for officers from both sides.
Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2005
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