ENG-2008 — Page 333

The Environment 269

2005, a regional air quality monitoring network, comprising 16 monitoring stations, has been publishing the Regional Air Quality Index, and the report on the monitoring results were released on April 30 and October 29, 2008.

Both sides also launched in April 2008 the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme. The purpose is to encourage and help more than 56 000 Hong Kong- owned factories in the PRD region to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices. By improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions, the Hong Kong- owned factories can make a positive contribution to improving the region's air quality.

To strengthen this collaboration further, the Government is charting a course with Guangdong to transform the Pearl River Delta Region into a green and quality living area. Hong Kong and Shenzhen, meanwhile, are jointly implementing action programmes to reduce pollution of the adjoining water bodies, including Deep Bay and Mirs Bay. Both sides are taking forward a joint review of the regional water quality management strategy for Mirs Bay. In addition, the Pearl River Delta water quality model jointly developed by Hong Kong and Guangdong was completed in 2007. The model provides the two governments with a reliable scientific tool for devising management plans and strategies for controlling water pollution in the Pearl River Estuary.

The EPD and the Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau also signed a 'Co-operation Agreement on Cleaner Production between Hong Kong and Shenzhen' in November 2008 to strengthen co-operation efforts in this area. Implementation plans will be drawn up to take forward the work.

Climate Change

Climate change has become one of the most important challenges to the international community. The HKSAR Government is doing its best to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taking vigorous measures, primarily aiming at enhancing energy efficiency and promoting energy conservation to achieve sustainable development. The EPD will prepare for this challenge with the early planning necessary to promote a low carbon economy.

The EPD and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department launched the first carbon audit guidelines for buildings in Hong Kong in July 2008. The guidelines will assist building managers and users to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emitted as a result of their building operations so as to explore room for improvements. More than 40 organisations have undertaken to conduct carbon audits on their buildings and to initiate carbon reduction programmes in the coming two years under the 'Green Hong Kong • Carbon Audit' Campaign.

The EPD has commissioned a comprehensive study on climate change to assess its impact on Hong Kong and to identify further adaptation and mitigation. measures. It will provide a solid scientific framework for mapping out long-term measures for Hong Kong to combat climate change.