A joint air quality monitoring network for the Pearl River Delta region will be completed within the year and become fully operational next year after testing. This was the message today from the Environment, Transport & Works Bureau responding to the Civic Exchange's recommendations on air quality management.

An emission inventory compilation manual will be developed and finalised within the year, providing the standard methods for compiling emissions inventories for the area and Hong Kong from 2005.

On a standard for particulates, the bureau said the reviews by the European Union and the US are expected to be available by the end of next year.

It is closely monitoring all relevant reviews of different places and will, with reference to the results of those reviews and in conjunction with the local research findings by Environmental Protection Department, consider the need for amending the Air Quality Objectives on such accounts as the perspective of science and the local feasibility of new standards.

The bureau agrees the collaboration of the energy sector will help improve the overall environment in the region. The bureau is liaising with the Guangdong government with a view to implementing an emission trading mechanism between power companies in the two jurisdictions.

It will continue to explore other collaboration opportunities with Guangdong and the Economic Development & Labour Bureau which is responsible for the overall energy policy of Hong Kong.