Issue 145 - The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

the largest contributor to the problem,
accounting for 69 per cent of total
emissions in 2008. And even if all other
initiatives work perfectly, Hong Kong would
still be unable to meet its greenhouse goals
unless it can reduce its reliance on thermalcoal
for electricity production.
The government has set a target of
reducing coal-fired power from the current
54 per cent of the fuel mix to just 6 per cent
by 2020 and for it to be totally eliminated
by 2030.
Filling the gap, natural gas use is slated
to rise from its current 23 per cent to 40
per cent in 2020. Use of nuclear power
should rise from 23 per cent to 50 per cent
in that period and wind energy grow from
its current 1-2 per cent to 3-4 per cent.
China has also set ambitious targets
for reductions in greenhouse emissions
that, if met, would significantly clear up the
air drifting over Hong Kong from the Pearl
River Delta.
Like Hong Kong, China is relying
on large increases in nuclear power for
electricity generation to meet its goals.
But these plans have been thrown into
disarray since the earthquake and tsunami
in Japan last year decimated the Fukishima
nuclear plant and forced governments
around the world, including in China, to
reconsider their use of nuclear power.
According to a report prepared for
Civic Exchange, a think tank, the Hong
Kong Government has been caught out by
the freeze on nuclear expansion and this
threatens to derail its efforts to meet the
emission reduction goals.
“Hong Kong officials have not come to
a decision on how to go forward, and they
are monitoring international debate on
nuclear energy,” the report says.
According to the report China is
expected to quickly return to its nuclear
program because it simply has few other
short-term options to produce huge
amounts of energy using low emissions.
In Hong Kong though the decision is made
more difficult as citizens have seen what
happened in Japan and will expect more of
a voice on the final decision.
COVER STORY | 3
“Hong Kong would not meet its carbon
intensity target in 2020 even if it decreased
coal use as proposed, kept nuclear import
at the same level as today (23%), added
wind power as planned, and made up the
difference by importing much more natural
gas,” the report says.
“Whether Hong Kong could increase
natural gas supply by a large margin and
whether Hong Kong would be prepared to
keep a higher level of coal usage are issues
that will have to be discussed should it wish
not to increase nuclear electricity imports.”
In a report on the city’s environment
for the period 1986 to 2011, Environment
Secretary Edward Yau said Hong Kong had
made “remarkable progress’’ over 25 years
and residents lived in a “healthier and more
pleasant city”.
He said the two greatest challenges
to the environment were climate change
and waste management. Further to that,
each Hong Kong person still threw away
about 6kg of waste from their homes
every week, which put enormous strain on
landfills. He admitted governments had an
important role in overcoming environmental
problems but the first responsibility lay with
individuals, who had to contribute to the
effort.
Michael Wray is a former News Ltd
journalist now based in Hong Kong.
CORPORATENEWS
Watch all TV news
on your phone
Australia Network has
announced their first app for
iPhone is now available on
the App Store. The app offers
direct access to Australia Network news
and sport, TV guide, English language
learning resources and other Australia
Network video content as well as
streaming Radio Australia. The app also
provides emergency consular alert Push
Notifications with important information
from the Australian Government.
“The Australia Network App is a
first step in meeting the needs of our
audience whose media consumption
habits are rapidly evolving in an
environment where mobile, tablets
and new digital platforms provide
an opportunity to deliver news and
information on demand - anytime and
anywhere” said Bruce Dover, Chief
Executive, Australia Network. “The app
delivers an integrated offering of video,
audio and text news and information
unrivalled in the Asia Pacific."
AustCham donations help needy Hong Kong Children
The money you donated through our charity auction with Variety at the March Rugby 7s lunch
is being put to good cause – helping children from low-income Hong Kong families get
the best start to the new school year with a donation of HKD150,000 to buy new uniforms
and text books for 150 students.
Variety has partnered with the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) for funding children
and families in challenging conditions in Hong Kong. With the donation, SoCO will continue to
provide every-day life training, as well as psychological support and basic school equipment.
The Chamber chose an education focus for this fund-raising initiative to reflect the strong
educational links between Australia and Hong Kong. With your donation we are giving these young
students the basics to provide a foundation from which they can build much greater dreams and
ambitions.
The cheque was presented to Variety at SoCO children’s centre in Sham Shui Po. To know more
about SoCO, turn the page - they are our feature NGO.
Sze Lai Shan of SoCO receives a gift
from AustCham Chief Executive Kirsty
Boazman, the artwork was done by
AustCham staff.
AustCham Chairman Andrew Steadson
presents the $150,000 cheque to Chairman of
Variety Phil Neilson.