A government study proposing that only 1 per cent of Hong Kong's energy be generated by renewable sources by 2012 - including burning waste in incinerators - was described by environmentalists as 'pitiful' yesterday.
The targets and the government's apparent support of incineration as an acceptable form of renewable energy, came under fire from activists, who staged a protest outside Legco where they depicted a wolf in sheep's clothing, worshipping an incinerator.
Friends of the Earth campaign co-ordinator, Daphne Mah Ngar-yin, said: 'These targets are excessively underestimated, and critical issues for widescale and meaningful adoption of renewable energy have yet to be addressed.'
Greenpeace media officer Martin Baker said: 'According to the report, the consultants recommend that a pitiful target of 1 per cent of Hong Kong's energy could be derived from locally produced renewable resources by 2012.
'The report also states that energy from burning waste 'may be considered as a renewable resource or technology' - a statement the government appears to be interpreting as a strong recommendation.'
The study of the potential applications of renewable energy in Hong Kong was presented to Legco by Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Sarah Liao Sau-tung, yesterday.
The report, which forms the basis for Hong Kong's renewable energy development, proposes that the contribution from renewable energy to annual power demand should rise from 1 per cent in 2012, to 2 per cent by 2017 and 3 per cent by 2022.