The Environmental Protection Department of the Hong Kong government Thursday entered into a consultancy agreement with ERM-Hong Kong Ltd to undertake a comprehensive study on climate change in Hong Kong.

"With the recent release of findings of major international studies on climate change, in particular those published by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, there is a need to conduct a comprehensive and up-to-date study to assess the likely impact of climate change on Hong Kong," a department spokesman said.

The study will review and update the inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Hong Kong; project local GHG emission trends under different scenarios; characterize the impacts of climate change on Hong Kong; recommend additional policies and measures to reduce GHG emissions and facilitate adaptation to climate change; and assess the cost-effectiveness of the proposed measures.

The spokesman said that the study will provide a solid scientific basis for the government to formulate long-term strategies and measures for Hong Kong to mitigate GHG emissions and adapt to climate change.

It will also provide useful information for preparing a submission to the Central People's Government for meeting the national communications obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, added the spokesman.

The study will span around 18 months, and is expected to be completed in late 2009.

ERM-Hong Kong Ltd is an environmental, safety, health and risk consultancy established in 1981.

(Xinhua News Agency, March 28, 2008)