Greenpeace charged China Light and Power (CLP) for causing damage to the global climate, environment and health across Asia by burning coal to generate electricity.

"CLP are climate criminals. All across Asia their massive coal burning addiction is wrecking the climate, destroying the environment and poisoning people," campaigner Gloria Chang said.

"While CLP rake in dirty profits, the real price of their pollution is being paid by us all," she said.

CLP operates one of the world's largest coal power plant in Hong Kong with total installed capacity of 4,100 megawatts. In 2004, CLP emitted nearly 17 million tons of carbon dioxide, the leading cause of global warming as well as acid rain and air pollution, the group said.

At least four more plants across Asia with total installed capacity of at least 7,000 megawatts are still under construction.

"This makes its investment in renewable energy program next to nothing," she said.

The company has set a target of five percent of its total generating capacity from renewable energy sources by 2010.

Chang urged the company to "immediately" end its investment in new coal capacity and switch to development of a clean renewable energy program.

Hong Kong is inundated on many days by a choking cloud of smog produced in large part by the factories, vehicles and power stations in Hong Kong as well as in neighbouring southern China's heavily industrialised Pearl River Delta region.

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