230 likes | 368 Views
HKSAR Government’s Efforts to Address Climate Change. Tackling Climate Change. A global challenge facing mankind Calls for global action. Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hong Kong. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission levels: Total emissions at some 45 million tonnes CO 2 equivalent in 2006
E N D
Tackling Climate Change • A global challenge facing mankind • Calls for global action
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hong Kong Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission levels: • Total emissions at some 45 million tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2006 • Carbon intensity at 30kg CO2 equivalent per HKD1,000 GDP (2006), 40% reduction from 1990. • Per-capita emissions at approx. 6.6 tonnes CO2 equivalent (down 4% from 1990) • lower than those of developed economies – USA (24 tonnes), Australia (28 tonnes), UK (11 tonnes), EU (11 tonnes), Japan (10 tonnes), and Singapore (9 tonnes)
Hong Kong’s International Obligations • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol extended by CPG to Hong Kong in May 2003 • “Common but differentiated responsibilities” – a core principle underpinning UNFCCC • Kyoto Protocol assigned mandatory emission limits to developed countries (Annex I Parties to UNFCCC) – combined GHG emissions from them between 2008-2012 should be reduced by at least 5% below the 1990 levels • For non-Annex I Parties such as China (including Hong Kong), Singapore, South Korea - no requirement to meet mandatory emission limits under the Kyoto Protocol
Hong Kong’s International Obligations • Under UNFCCC, Hong Kong is required to: • Prepare emission inventory of GHG by sources and sinks • Formulate, implement and regularly update programmes on mitigation and adaptation measures • Strengthen scientific research and promote application of technologies • Promote public awareness and understanding of climate change and its likely effects
GHG Emissions Reduction in Hong KongConstraints & Opportunities • Hong Kong is already a small emitter • A service economy - no energy intensive industries • Public mass transport system is very efficient (90% of daily passenger trips are already made on public transport system)
Vehicle Ownership Per Thousand Population Hong Kong vs Other Economies Hong Kong
Per-capita Electricity ConsumptionHong Kong vs Other Developed Economies
GHG Emissions Reduction in Hong KongConstraints & Opportunities • Dominant share of energy sector emissions suggests the key measures should target at electricity generation
GHG Emissions Reduction in Hong KongConstraints & Opportunities • Topography and physical constraints limit the potential for large-scale development of renewable energy, including off-shore wind farms
GHG Emissions Reduction in Hong KongConstraints & Opportunities • Scope for Hong Kong to do more in end-use energy conservation and efficiency: • Energy efficiency: better building design and wider use of energy efficient appliances • Energy saving: raising public awareness and education Electricity consumption by sector in 2005
Tackling Climate ChangeExisting Efforts • Cleaner fuels for power generation • New coal-fired generation units banned since 1997 • Maximum use of natural gas • A new Scheme of Control Agreement • Permit higher rate of return for renewable energy (RE) facilities • Facilitate access of 3rd party local RE sources to grids of power companies
Tackling Climate ChangeExisting Efforts • Promote energy conservation & efficiency • Promote use of water-cooled A/C systems and other energy efficient installations • Enhance building efficiency • Building Energy Codes • District Cooling System
Tackling Climate ChangeExisting Efforts • Use cleaner and more efficient land transport • Utilise landfill gas as fuel • Collect and utilise landfill gas from closed and operating landfills as fuel substitutes for on-site use • Export landfill gas from the Shuen Wan Landfill and NENT Landfill as fuel for the Towngas Production Plant in Tai Po • Utilise biogas at sewage treatment works
Tackling Climate ChangeExisting Efforts • Tree plantation programme to enhance the carbon sink • 12 million trees were planted in the past 5 years • 1.2 million trees will be planted in 2008
Tackling Climate ChangePublic Participation • Promote lifestyle and behavioural changes in the community • Mobilise community action to adopt energy saving measures • Continuous public awareness programmes • Outreaching to schools through talks, web-based education kits and joint activities
Tackling Climate ChangeGovernment Taking the Lead • Reducing electricity consumption • Cut down electricity consumption of Government by 6% between 2002/03 to 2006/07 • Pledged further in the 2005-06 Policy Address to reduce 1.5% electricity consumption of all Government office buildings from January 2006 • Energy audits and re-audits conducted in over 200 major Government venues, with follow up energy savings projects implemented
Tackling Climate ChangeGovernment Taking the Lead • Promoting energy efficiency & use of renewable energy • All new Government buildings and retrofit projects required to fully comply with Building Energy Codes
Tackling Climate ChangeGovernment Taking the Lead • Green initiatives in public housing projects by HD • PV Panels • Vertical green panels pilot project at Yau Tong • Life cycle assessment/Life cycle costing • Micro-climate studies in housing design • Participation in HKBEAM assessment • Green roofing by ArchSD • More than 50 completed green roof projects • 20 projects for retro-fitting green roof in existing government buildings in 2007/08 • Vegetation cover on government man-made slopes and noise barriers by CEDD/ HyD
Tackling Climate ChangeRecent new efforts New Measures since October 2007 • Launch first carbon audit guidelines for buildings and “Green Hong Kong ‧Carbon Audit” campaign • Prepare for mandatory compliance with Building Energy Codes • Roll out Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme • Promote the use of biodiesel • Conduct a study on climate change with a view to enhancing the existing mitigation & adaptation measures
Tackling Climate ChangeInternational Co-operation • Endorsed APEC “Sydney Declaration on Climate Change” in Sept 07. Pledged to reduce energy intensity of at least 25% by 2030 (with 2005 as base year) • Joined C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
The End Website: www.epd.gov.hk