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Press Release
Emission reduction targets for the Pearl River Delta Region
In response to a newspaper report today on the emission reduction targets for the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) made the following statement today (August 15):
Contrary to what was suggested in the newspaper article, when it comes to tackling regional air pollution in the PRD Region, there is only one set of emission reduction targets agreed between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Guangdong Provincial Government in April 2002, i.e. the 2010 emission reduction targets.
The Environmental Protection Framework Plan for PRD (2004-2020) dated February, 2005, mentioned by the newspaper report, has been prepared by the Guangdong Provincial Government in accordance with the Mainland's prevailing requirements. Guangdong has its own purposes in preparing the plan. The plan does not stop Guangdong from achieving the emission reduction targets agreed with us.
To ensure the achievement of the agreed targets by 2010, the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan was drawn up in December, 2003, and has been reviewed regularly by EPD and Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau. This management plan contains more measures than the Environmental Protection Framework Plan for PRD, including those in combating vehicle emissions, improving fuel quality, introducing liquefied natural gas for power generation, and tackling emissions of volatile organic compounds. We believe that the agreed targets are achievable through the implementation of the management plan. Details of the management plan are available at EPD's homepage.
Both Hong Kong and Guangdong take the 2010 emission reduction targets very seriously. On August 2, when the 9th Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference was held in Guangzhou, our Chief Executive and the Governor of Guangdong Province reconfirmed the two sides' commitment to meeting the targets by 2010. Such a commitment was conveyed loud and clear during the press conference on the 9th Plenary Session.
Indeed Guangdong has been proactive and taking the lead on the Mainland when it comes to tackling environmental problems, particularly air pollution. For example, the regional air quality monitoring network, jointly set up by the two sides, has been the first of its kind on the Mainland. The public now has access to the PRD Regional Air Quality Index, which is an objective indicator of air quality in the region. Apart from showing the air quality situation, it facilitates understanding of the effectiveness of the reduction measures and formulation of more effective strategies.
The public can rest assured that the two sides will do everything possible to ensure that the 2010 emission reduction targets will be met on schedule. A Handbook for compiling the emission inventories in the PRD region, agreed in 2005, will be the objective basis for assessing the progress of emission reduction.
Ends/Tuesday, August 15, 2006
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