Emissions control area for ships in Pearl River Delta proposed
Administration says it will work with neighbours to save lives by reducing maritime pollution in waters around city
The government is determined to set up an emissions control area for ships in the Pearl River Delta, environment undersecretary Christine Loh Kung-wai said yesterday.
It follows figures released last month by Civic Exchange, a think tank founded by Loh, which showed that within the Pearl River Delta region, Hongkongers account for 75 per cent of deaths attributed to sulphur dioxide in ships' emissions. It said those deaths could be reduced by 91 per cent by setting up an emissions control zone.
The move would mean all ocean-going vessels entering the zone would have to switch to low sulphur fuel. Loh said the government was already discussing with the Guangdong government rules for the use of environmentally friendly fuel in port.
She told a meeting yesterday of the Legislative Council's environment committee that the Environment Bureau was "very determined" to set up an emissions control zone. She offered no timetable but hoped to make "take a big step" towards realising the goal in the current adminstration's five-year term.
"Our long-term goal of setting up a low-emission area is very clear," Loh said. "Don't underestimate our determination, but at the same time don't underestimate the difficulties."