space space   space
space

A Guide to Environmental Reporting for Controlling Officers

Chapter 3 - Report Framework and Contents

 

3. Environmental Policy

Through the formulation of an environmental policy, a bureau or department can establish the overall strategic direction for the organization to achieve its environmental goal and set out the key areas for action. All environmental responsibilities and performance of the bureau or department could then be evaluated against statements set forth in the environmental policy.

To demonstrate top management commitment, the Controlling Officer and his senior management should be responsible for developing the environmental policy and to make sure it is properly implemented and regularly reviewed. When formulating the environmental policy, the Controlling Officers could consider the following issues:

  • is it in line with some of the environmental guiding principles developed by international bodies ? (see examples in Annex 1)
  • is it in line with the bureau or department's vision, mission, core values and beliefs ?
  • does it address the key environmental impacts of the activities and programmes of the bureau or department ?
  • does it provide a framework for setting and reviewing environmental targets ?
  • has it been documented and communicated to all staff ? and
  • has it been made known to the public ?

Possible elements that could be included in the environmental policy:

  • top management commitment;
  • environmental management;
  • energy and resource use;
  • pollution prevention initiatives (emissions, effluents and wastes);
  • compliance with environmental legislation, regulation and standards;
  • purchase and contract management practices;
  • staff training and education;
  • communication and reporting;
  • continual improvement (audit and management review); and
  • contribution to sustainable development.

Examples of local environmental policies are provided in Figures 3.1 and 3.2 below and more overseas examples of environmental policies are provided at the back in Annex 2.

Figure 3.1 - Architectural Services Department, HKSAR Government

Logo of Architectural Services Department, HKSAR Government

Environmental Policy

Architectural Services Department when offering our clients a comprehensive range of multi-disciplinary professional and technical services for buildings and facilities is committed through our quality management system to improve the environment by:

  1. undertaking the design, procurement and maintenance of community facilities in an environmentally responsible manner such as reducing energy consumption and the use of materials which are harmful to the environment.
  2. continuously developing and maintaining an environmental management system in accordance with ISO14001.
  3. complying with relevant environmental protection ordinances.
  4. providing training for staff to increase awareness for continual improvement in protecting the environment and preventing pollution.
  5. communicating and making available the environmental policy to the construction industry and the public at large.

Figure 3.2 - Environmental Protection Department, HKSAR Government

Logo of Environmental Protection Department, HKSAR Government

Our Green Management Policy

The Environmental Protection Department is committed to ensure that all services offered by the Department as well as our own internal operations are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner, and has adopted the following principles in pursuance of this commitment:

Compliance

We will seek to provide leadership by complying with, rather than just the letter, the spirit of all applicable environmental legislation, standards and regulations, as well as our internal guidelines and procedures in all our operations within the Department. We will endeavour to surpass them whenever possible.

Pollution Prevention

We will implement an environmental management system using ISO guidelines to maintain and improve the environmental quality of our activities and services. We will avoid, reduce or control environmental pollution arising from our day to day working practices. We will require our contractors to adopt and implement sound environmental management systems and pollution control measures, and actively encourage business and other organizations in Hong Kong to adopt similar systems and measures.

Minimization of Consumption

We will exercise the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in the consumption of materials. We will seek continual improvement in the efficient use of natural resources and energy.

Communication

We will ensure that all our staff are aware of our Green Management Policy as well as providing detailed information about our Policy and initiatives to organizations for which they have a particular interest. We will also seek to publicize to the community in general our Green Management Policy.

Training

We will ensure through appropriate training that all staff are in a position to assume their environmental responsibilities and to participate constructively in the environmental activities.

Management Review

The Management will regularly review and seek continual improvement in the department's environmental management system in order to ensure it is adjusted to reflect changing internal and external factors.

It is good practice to make clear to the reader what major impacts the bureau or department's activities or programmes may have on the environment. Annex 3 sets out the steps on how to identify the relevant environmental aspects and impacts. Annex 4 provides a simple checklist to facilitate those key environmental impacts that may be relevant to the bureau or department to be outlined with respect to four different areas:

  • offices and facilities being managed;
  • operational activities;
  • formulation and execution of its policies or programmes; and
  • Controlling Officer's other responsibilities.

 
Back to topBackTable of ContentNext

 
 
2005 copyright logo| Important notices

Last Revision Date : 17 October 2008