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Press Release
Hong Kong Commits to Combating Air Pollution
In response to the very high Air Pollution Indices on Saturday and Sunday, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) reiterated today (February 13) that Hong Kong does not tolerate foul air.
The highest API on Sunday morning was 149 recorded at Causeway Bay. EPD advised that persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses (such as coronary heart and cardiovascular diseases, asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive airways diseases) are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities.
"Over the week end, the peak concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide were 5.3 times and 17.9 times respectively of their average levels over the year. While the calm weather caused the accumulation of pollutants, the solution must be to cut the emissions of air pollutants," said an EPD spokesman.
"Hong Kong has made good progress in reducing the emissions of nitrogen oxides, respirable suspended particulates and volatile organic compounds in recent years. The 2004 emissions were reduced by 16%, 28% and 23% respectively compared to 1997," said the spokesman.
"Despite the progress made so far, it is unavoidable that we will still be seeing some days with high APIs. Members of the public especially the elderly and people with heart and respiratory diseases are advised to check the APIs and stick to the health advice," the spokesman added.
"With the implementation of a comprehensive programme to reduce vehicle emissions, emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides from motor vehicles in the urban areas have been reduced by 80% and 40% respectively. Number of smoky vehicles on the road has also been reduced by about 80%. The number of days with API exceeded 100 was 87 days in 2004 and 49 days in 2005," the spokesman said.
"However, much of our effort has been vitiated by the increase in emissions from the local power companies. The emission of sulphur dioxide in Hong Kong actually increased by 47% between 1997 and 2004. To achieve a sustained improvement in our air quality, power companies must substantially reduce their emissions," he said.
"At high levels, sulphur dioxide reduces lung function and increase morbidity and mortality rates. Reacting with other pollutants in air, it forms very fine sulphur particles. Analyses have shown that up to 30% of the very fine particles in air are sulphate. It is a major component of the smog over the region," the spokesman said.
Power generation emits 92% of the sulphur dioxide and half of the nitrogen oxides in Hong Kong. Between 1997 and 2004, the emission of sulphur dioxide by power generation increased by as much as 60%. Hence EPD puts power plants under close surveillance. Plants of CLP were inspected six times in 2005.
"To explore means to reduce emissions effectively, EPD had informed the two local power companies as early as July 2003 the 2010 emission caps for the power sector. For the case of CLP, the Permanent Secretary for the Environment and other senior officers of the Environment Branch of the Bureau visited CLP on August 14, 2004 and met personally with the Managing Director of CLP Power, Mrs Betty Yuen, to listen to their emission reduction proposal," said the spokesman.
"Apart from making local efforts to reduce emissions, the HKSAR Government has been working with the Guangdong Authorities to reduce emissions of the entire Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region," he said.
On September 28, 2005, the Chief Executive and the Governor of Guangdong Province reiterated that the two sides would implement the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan (Management Plan) progressively with a view to achieving the agreed emissions reduction targets for air pollutants by 2010.
"Since November 30, 2005, the monitoring network jointly established under the Management Plan has been commissioned and the PRD Regional Air Quality Index is published on a daily basis. The enhanced control measures under the Management Plan have been well on schedule," said the spokesman.
In 2006, the major tasks under the Management Plan will include the following -
(a) 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;
(b) 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;
(c) 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;
(d) 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; and
(e) 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.
Ends/Monday, February 13, 2006
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