ENG-2013 — Page 291

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The Environment

torrential rain and intense thunderstorms to Hong Kong on 22 May, requiring the observatory to issue the Black Rainstorm Warning. October was the driest month in the year with the monthly mean relative humidity of 66 per cent, ranking the third lowest for October since 1961.

Seven tropical cyclones affected Hong Kong in 2013 and local tropical cyclone warning signals were issued. No 8 Gale or Storm Signals were issued during the passages of Super Typhoons Utor and Usagi in August and September respectively. Severe Typhoon Krosa was the first tropical cyclone that called for tropical cyclone warning signals in a November since 2006.

Climate Change

The government attaches much importance to combating climate change, and has started various mitigation and adaptation measures to meet this global challenge. Measures include switching to cleaner fuels for power generation, enhancing energy efficiency (particularly in buildings), exploring the potential of renewable energy and waste-to-energy, developing an efficient and environment-friendly public transportation system, and raising public awareness of climate change issues.

In 2013, the government conducted energy-cum-carbon audits for about 60 government buildings and public facilities (including indoor markets, swimming pools, sports centres and schools) to identify carbon reduction measures. The government also developed a Carbon Footprint Repository, with a dedicated website for listed companies to disclose their carbon audit findings and to share their experiences in carbon management.

On regional cooperation, the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Liaison Group on Combating Climate Change held its second meeting in Hong Kong in July and agreed on plans for collaboration in 2013-14.

Energy

Gas

Town gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are the main types of fuel gas used in Hong Kong for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. LPG is also used as a fuel by nearly all taxis. and over 65 per cent of public light buses while natural gas is used for electricity generation and production of town gas. Hong Kong has about 1.78 million town gas and 0.49 million LPG customers respectively in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, of which town gas and LPG respectively accounted for 86.8 and 13.2 per cent of the total fuel gas sold in these sectors in terms of heating values.

Town gas is manufactured at plants in Tai Po and Ma Tau Kok which have daily throughput capacities of 9.6 and 2.6 million cubic metres respectively. A pipe network of some 3,500 kilometres supplies town gas to customers.

LPG is imported into Hong Kong by sea and stored at five terminals on Tsing Yi Island before being distributed to customers including 63 LPG filling stations for LPG vehicles.

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