Eastern nations are industrialising at an ever increasing pace, partly driven by the desire for 'Westernised' consumer goods. This has resulted in an increase in energy demands, much of which are dependent on fossil fuel, and thus, emission levels. In Hong Kong, there is a tension between the desire to protect the environment and the desire to minimise expensive legislative red-tape. Recently, this tension has been heightened by poor economic conditions and the recognition that if Hong Kong is to continue to attract global commerce, it must offer a cleaner environment - or at least one which is more amenable than its would-be competitors in mainland China and elsewhere in South-East Asia. Altogether, over 50 per cent of greenhouse gases produced in Hong Kong come from power generation despite the fact that: 1. Hong Kong does not have large numbers of old and smoky power stations (unlike mainland China); 2. natural gas usage is increasing; and 3. some power is imported from the mainland.
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