The government Friday announced a series of proposals for reducing carbon remissions over the next 10 years. The proposals including maximization of energy efficiency, use of clean fuel for motor vehicles, together with greater use of nuclear energy and less use of coal in power generation.

The government Friday said that the goal of achieving a low carbon, green environment will demand a collective effort on the part of all citizens of Hong Kong.

In that spirit, it launched a three-month public consultation until December 10 to seek views from the community on improving Hong Kong's notoriously polluted air.

"To make our city low-carbon and green is a vision shared by every one of us. To achieve the desired outcomes, the community has to act collectively towards a common goal," Secretary for environment Edward Yau said.

Yau declared the city's objective of reducing carbon intensity by 50-60 percent by 2020 as compared with 2005. If the target is achieved, emission of greenhouse gas will reduce from 42 million tons in 2005 to 28-34 million tons in 2020, representing a reduction of 19-33 percent.

Carbon intensity is the amount of carbon emission per unit of gross domestic product. The reading is most frequently used as a measure of the effectiveness of emissions reduction programs.

The goal is a challenging one, Yau said. However, reduction in carbon emission is not an environmental but also an economic and livelihood issue, which brings good to individuals, families, enterprises and society.

"Climate change brings about more severe weather and poses an unprecedented challenge for us. As part of the international community, we should contribute to the solution," Yau said.

"Hong Kong has to adopt a proactive and forward-looking strategy in tackling climate change that is directed at our emission characteristics," he added. "We are a highly advanced economy and should take actions that befit our position. The low carbon measures will also help bring about a cleaner environment for all of us."

Yau noted there is an efficiency code for energy use at present but that it is voluntary. In the long run, a law may be required to ensure increased efficiency in buildings by 50 percent.

On the question of fuel use, carbon now accounts for 54 percent natural gases and 23 percent nuclear energy respectively. Yau expressed the hope that by 2020 nuclear energy will account for 50 percent, natural gases 40 percent.

Alexis Lau, associate professor of the environment division of the University of Science and Technology, said the government will need to buy more nuclear power from other power plants in Guangdong Province to cope with the planned increase. The highest safety standard should be applied to enssure that people feel secure.

Edwin Lau, director of the green group Friends of the Earth, said increased use of energy power will create nuclear wastes and the government must be very cautious in that policy. He also felt that using the 2005 standard as the basis is less than aggressive, calling on the government to reconsider its goal.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/11/2010 page1)