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AIR POLLUTION CONTROL STRATEGIES
Air Quality Objectives
Mobile Pollution Sources
Stationary Pollution Sources
Regional Smog Problem
Co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong
Enhanced Air Pollution Control Measures in Hong Kong
Emissions Reduction by Guangdong
Enhanced Air Pollution Control Measures in Hong Kong
As a result of the emission reduction measures implemented, Hong Kong has already achieved good progress since 1997 in reducing the total emissions of NOx, RSP and VOC. Details are as follows:
| |
Emission Level in 1997 (tonnes) |
Emission Level in 2002 (tonnes) |
Changes in Emission Level during 1997 -2002 |
Reduction Target for 2010 |
| NOx |
111 000 |
88 300 |
-20% |
-20% |
| RSP |
11 300 |
7 210 |
-36% |
-55% |
| VOC |
58 800 |
47 100 |
-20% |
-55% |
We will implement the following emission reduction measures with a view to fully achieving the emission reduction targets set by Hong Kong and Guangdong by 2010:
| (a) |
to introduce into the Legislative Council regulations which will tighten the motor petrol standard to Euro IV with effect from 1 January 2005; |
| (b) |
to introduce regulations which require the installation of vapour recovery systems at petrol filling stations in the first quarter of 2005; |
| (c) |
to start the preparatory work for applying Euro IV emission standards to newly registered vehicles by 2006; |
| (d) |
power plants are still a major source of pollution in the territory. According to the data collected by the EPD in 2002, power plants accounted for 89%, 45% and 37 % of the total emissions of SO2, NOx and RSP respectively in Hong Kong. We will negotiate with power companies measures to further reduce emissions and increase the use of natural gas in electricity generation. We will also explore the feasibility of introducing demand-side management; and |
| (e) |
VOC reacts with NOx to form ozone under sunlight. The harmful effect of ozone is well-known and has been proven by epidemiological and controlled exposure studies in many countries. The Joint Study has identified paints, the printing industry, consumer products and motor vehicles to be the four major VOC emission sources. The respective shares of these emission sources are 30%, 13%, 24% and 25%. We intend to require importers and manufacturers of paints, printing ink and specific consumer products to register the VOC contents of their products with the EPD and provide labelling on the container or packaging of the products in an effort to reduce VOC emissions. Public consultation on the proposal commenced in late September 2004. |
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