GAW Report No. 205 - IGAC Project

CHAPTER 3 - ASIARelationships of the trends to regulationsThe Air Pollution Control Ordinance empowers the HKSAR Government to establish AirQuality Objectives (AQO) and to control air pollution from industry, commercial operations, andconstruction work [Trumbull, 2007]. To improve local air quality, the HKSAR Government hasintroduced a wide range of control measures (e.g. increase fuel efficiency, reduce consumption ofpollutant-emitting products, restricted emissions, etc.) since 1990 in order to reduce emissions frommotor vehicles (PM 10 and NO X ), power plants, industrial, commercial (SO 2 ) and VOC sources (seeGuo et al., 2004a andb;http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/vocs_smog.html fordetails). These control measures have effectively reduced local emission of these pollutants (~50%reduction in SO 2 , NO X , and PM 10 and ~34% reduction in VOCs) despite the increase in VKT (~50%)and energy (~20%) and electricity consumption (~70%) over the years (Figures 24 & 27). In additionto local emission measures, the HKSAR Government and Guangdong Provincial Governmentreached a consensus in April 2002 to prevent air quality from further deterioration and, in thelong-term, to achieve good air quality for the Pearl River Delta region. Specifically, this consensusaims to reduce the regional emission of SO 2 , NO X , PM 10 , and VOCs by 40%, 20%, 55%, and 55%,respectively by 2010, using 1997 as the base year [Trumbull, 2007].Climatic change issuesLike other parts of the globe, HKSAR is undergoing climatic change in recent decades (ruraland urban temperature increased by 0.2ºC/decade and 0.6ºC/decade, respectively) [Lam et al.,2006]. This climatic change is likely a result of the ~20% increase in greenhouse gases (carbondioxide (CO 2 = ~80% contribution; ERM 2000), methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O),hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6 )) content in theatmosphere due to increased energy use in recent decades (increase in VKT, energy and electricityconsumption = ~50%, ~20% and ~70%, respectively, for HKSAR; Figure 27). Lam et al. [2006]discovered that the ozone concentration in Tung Chung was positively correlated with temperature,wind speed, and solar radiation. The increase in greenhouse gases is believed to trap solarradiation in the atmosphere which, in turn, raise air temperature and intensify photochemicalformation of smog, resulting in further deterioration of visibility at a rate of 1.9%/decade [Lam et al.,2006]. Wang et al. [2009a] further suggested that aerosols reflect and absorb solar radiations atEarth‘s surface, as well as modify cloud cover and other cloud properties, resulting in considerableuncertainty in the estimation of aerosol impacts on radiation.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and KyotoProtocol were extended by the Central Peoples' Government (CPG) of China to Hong Kong as of 5May 2003. As with other developing countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, China (includingthe HKSAR) is not required to achieve any greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits. Instead, it isrequired to submit national communications in accordance with the specific requirements of theProtocol.(http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr08-09/english/panels/ea/ea_iaq/papers/ ea_iaq0113cb1-531-4-e.pdf).A host of measures have begun to reduce the level of GHG emissions in Hong Kong.Measures include Buildings Energy Efficiency Funding Scheme and the Mandatory EnergyEfficiency Labelling Scheme, banning the construction of coal-fired power generating units, andproviding economic incentives to encourage development of renewable energy sources. At thesame time, policy measures to reduce energy intensity are being pursued to address GHGemissions from other major emission sources including the transportation sector and landfills.These include continuously extending the coverage of the public transport system (in particular therailway network), promoting the use of electric vehicles, and enhancing the utilization of landfill gasas an alternative fuel (http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200911/04/P200911040130_print.htm).Notwithstanding the concerted efforts mentioned above, if more specific GHG mitigation measuresare put in place, more tangible rewards could be resulted.93