Good Job: Hong Kong surpasses emission reduction target

Emission reductions in 2010 for the four pollutants range from 30% to 59%.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) released the 2010 air pollutants emission inventory for Hong Kong yesterday (October 10). According to the emission data, Hong Kong has met the 2010 emission reduction targets jointly set with the Guangdong Provincial Government in 2002.

To improve regional air quality, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government reached a consensus with the Guangdong Provincial Government in April 2002 to reduce, on a best endeavour basis, the emission of four major air pollutants, namely sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), respirable suspended particulates (RSP) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) by 40 per cent, 20 per cent, 55 per cent and 55 per cent respectively by 2010, using 1997 as the base year.

According to the EPD's latest emission data for Hong Kong, the amounts of emissions for SO2, NOx, RSP and VOC in 2010 had been reduced by 57 per cent, 30 per cent, 59 per cent and 59 per cent respectively when compared with those in 1997, meeting the emission reduction targets jointly set with Guangdong.

Details of the emission data for 2010 and previous years, as well as the 2010 emission inventory report, can be found on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/data/emission_inve.html).

After the compilation of the 2007 emission inventory in 2008, the EPD conducted studies on emissions from various sources including vessels and vehicles. These studies were completed in 2012 and encompassed the use of the latest emission estimation methodologies and locally available data. The EPD has adopted the study results, including the latest emission estimation methods and data, in the compilation of emission inventory for 2010, and has also updated the emission levels in past years to ensure consistency in emission trend analysis.

 With the endorsement on the adoption of the proposed new Air Quality Objectives in January 2012, the EPD has been co-ordinating the implementation of 22 air quality improvement measures with a view to further improving the air quality of Hong Kong. Discussion between Guangdong and Hong Kong on drawing up the emission reduction targets for the next phase has entered its final stage. The two governments will seek to complete the work and announce the targets within this year.

Guangdong is finalising the compilation of 2010 emission data for the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone and aims to announce the results within this year.