A Hong Kong non-governmental delegation to United Nations Climate Change Conference 2007
in Bali has called for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
to make a commitment in line with other developed countries to
reduce carbon emissions.
The delegation is led by the Hong Kong People's Council for
Sustainable Development.
Vice chairman of the council Plato Yip said that most of the
delegations from other countries agreed that developed economies
should reduce carbon emissions by between 25 and 40 percent by
2020, and that includes Hong Kong. That analysis, he said, was
based on a 1990's carbon dioxide emission level of about 39,000,000
tons.
Carbon emission reduction is the main focus of the UNCCC, and
192 countries discussed measures to keep global warming within 2
degrees Celsius each year.
Hong Kong People's Council for Sustainable Development suggested
that a low carbon development fund should be set up to invest in
emission reduction projects, mainly in the Pearl River Delta
Region. That includes the development of renewable energy.
In addition to reducing air pollution, the fund may also
strengthen Hong Kong's international position in assisting the
Chinese mainland's negotiation on climate change, said Albert Lai,
delegation leader and chairman of the council.
He suggested the government spend HK$500 million in 2008, and
increase that to HK$4 billion in 2020 to reduce carbon emissions in
Hong Kong.
Angus Wong, environmental affairs officer for Friends of the
Earth, said that the low-carbon development fund is a considerable
step. However, he believes the government should give the public a
set timetable on the development.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang said in his policy address that
Hong Kong sought to achieve a reduction in energy use by at least
25 percent by 2030, in response to the Asia-Pacific Economic
Co-operation (APEC) Leader's Declaration on Climate Change in
September.
Wong didn't think that was enough, saying: "He did not state a
clear target and timeline on this issue."
Meanwhile, Hong Kong People's Council for Sustainable
Development also suggested civil education on environmental
protection be increased.
Citizens' attitudes matter a lot in reducing carbon emissions,
councilor Lawrence Chau said.
Wong said that the public has become more conscious of emissions
reduction, but its importance has to be continually stressed so it
will be incorporated into daily life.
Hong Kong needs to take a moral high ground in the fight against
carbon emissions in order to protect the environment, Lai said.
(China Daily HK Edition December 13, 2007)
