The air quality in the Pearl River Delta has continuously improved in recent years, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network reported.

The network released a report today on its 2019 monitoring results.

According to the report, the average annual concentration levels of pollutants decreased in the delta region when compared with 2006. This includes an 84% drop in sulphur dioxide, a 37% reduction in respirable suspended particulates and a 29% decrease in nitrogen dioxide.

When compared with 2015, the average annual concentration levels of carbon monoxide and fine suspended particulates also fell 4% and 14%.

On the other hand, the average annual concentration level of ozone rose 36% when compared with 2006, indicating the need to further alleviate regional photochemical pollution.

Hong Kong and Guangdong have long been committed to reducing air pollutant emissions from key sources to improve regional air quality. The two governments are conducting a study on post-2020 regional emission reduction targets and concentration levels with a view to formulating targets up to 2030.

In addition, the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau will launch a three-year joint study on the characterisation of photochemical ozone pollution in the Greater Bay Area and its regional and super-regional transportation. The study results will help better understand the origins of ozone precursors, its formation mechanism and regional and super-regional transportation characteristics in the area.

The monitoring network, comprising 23 air monitoring stations in the three jurisdictions, monitors six major air pollutants since its launch in 2005.