EPD - EPD Environmental Performance Report 2001

Progress on Year 2000 Targets

Major Initiatives under EPD's Programmes:

Reporting areas	Targets for 2000	Progress in 2000
Contribution to Strategic Decision-making	To issue study briefs on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for a major planning proposal, Hong Kong 2030: Planning, Vision and Strategy, before the first quarter of 2001.	Issued study briefs in October 2000. Instead of adopting a conventional demand-led approach, the SEA will investigate environmental resources and carrying capacities.
Contribution to Strategic Decision-making	To complete the management of the strategic environmental assessment for the Second Railway Development Strategy in 2000 to provide adequate environmental information for public consultation and informed decision-making.	Completed in May 2000.
Prevention and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment	To minimise the impacts on some 200,000 people from railway lines, roads, reclamation sites, etc. through the statutory EIA process, strategic environmental assessment and environmental planning studies in 2000.	Processed 132 applications under the EIAO involving projects costing a total of over HK$38 billion. Over 400,000 people will be protected.
Better Air Quality	To start the LPG taxi incentive scheme in 2000.	Started disbursement of one-off grants for replacing diesel taxis with LPG ones in August 2000.
	To implement in 2000 a programme to retrofit pre-Euro light diesel vehicles with devices to reduce emission of particulates.	Started retrofit programme in September 2000.
	To conduct a trial of LPG and electric light buses in 2000.	Launched trial in June 2000.
	To retrofit diesel catalysts to heavy duty diesel vehicles in 2000.	Conducted trial of diesel catalysts in 2000 with the aim of drafting specifications for the catalysts in 2001.
	To increase the fixed penalty fines to $1,000 for vehicles emitting black smoke.	Increased penalty fine to $1000 on 1 December 2000.
	To expand the joint effort with the Police in 2000 to control smoky vehicles.	Expanded joint effort with the Police starting October 2000.
	To include an emission test in the roadworthiness inspection of petrol and LPG vehicles starting from 2000.	Included emission test from November 2000.
	To extend the use of dynamometer in testing smoke from heavy duty vehicles in 2000	Extended smoke test to heavy duty vehicles in December 2000.
	To introduce ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel for vehicles in 2000.	Set a preferential duty for ultra-low sulphur diesel, which has been the only motor diesel supplied at local petrol filling stations since October 2000.
	To promote the Indoor Air Quality Certificate Scheme to improve indoor air quality in 2000.	Started implementing the Indoor Air Quality Management Programme in government buildings in June 2000.
	To strengthen liaison with Guangdong authorities in tackling regional air pollution.	Reached agreement on setting up two special panels to deal with regional air pollution matters during the August 2000 meeting of the Expert Group of the Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection.
Environmentally Sound Waste Management and Facilities	To facilitate local recycling activities through suitable support measures in 2000, e.g. land allocation under short-term tenancy agreements, the development of waste minimisation or recycling technology under the Demonstration Scheme (DEMOS) funding.	Allocated four sites in Tai Po, Chai Wan, Yau Tong and Sheung Shui (with a total area of 16,380 m2) to waste paper, metal, plastics and rubber tyre recyclers, respectively. Launched the Demonstration Scheme (DEMOS) in December 2000.
	To develop plans for incorporating materials recovery/recycling facilities into the municipal solid waste management system.	Produced the Draft Report on the strategic plan in December 2000.
	To commence development of a Waste Management Plan (2002 - 2021) in 2000.	Completed a waste forecast and a review of technologies. Market driven recycling options were being examined.
	To continue preparations for implementing a charging scheme for the disposal of non-household waste at landfills.	Revised charging framework based mainly on "waste producer pays" approach. The affected trade associations were consulted on the details of the revised scheme.
	To complete a review of alternative treatment technologies for clinical waste by the end of 2000.	Completed review.
	To review the framework for assessing contaminated land in 2000.	On-going.
Better Water Quality	To set up an International Review Panel to review the remaining stages of the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme (SSDS/HATS) in 2000.	Completed. Report submitted in November 2000.
	To complete the Environmental Impact Assessment for SSDS/HATS Stage II in 2000.	Completed.
	To progress with the review of Sewerage Master Plans and begin two new reviews in 2000.	Completed.
	To start consultation on the review of the Technical Memorandum to the Water Pollution Control Ordinance in 2000.	Completed consultation
	To complete our contribution to the State Oceanic Administration's 2nd National Marine Pollution Baseline Survey.	Completed.
Quieter Environment	To review 130 planning schemes and strategic proposals to minimise noise problems for around 55,000 people in 2000.	Reviewed 230 planning schemes to benefit about 65,000 people.
	To work with relevant departments to commence a trial scheme in urban areas to minimise traffic noise through traffic management in 2000.	Implemented a trial scheme for banning heavy vehicles on West Kowloon Corridor during night-time.
	To work with Territory Development Department and Highways Department on the provision of noise insulation to protect 500 dwellings near five new road projects in 2000.	Provided noise insulation to some 470 dwellings in three new road projects.
Waste Facilities and Landfill Restoration	To invite private sector participation in 2000 to develop facilities for composting of organic waste.	Sought views and information from interested parties in December. Began preparatory work for developing a composting plant.
	To complete upgrading of the Interim Grease Trap Waste Treatment Facility at the Western New Territories Landfill to handle the increasing intake of grease trap waste in 2000.	Completed upgrading in October.
	To complete restoration work at five landfills located at Northwest New Territories, Gin Drinkers Bay and Ngau Chi Wan in 2000.	Completed upgrading in October.
		Completed all works.
Building Partnerships	To carry out programmes on the Work Plan for 2000 with the Canadian Government.
Environmental Awareness and Education	To organise 120 environmental awareness and education programmes with 1,600 green groups, schools and community groups; to deliver 400 environmental talks; and arrange 330 guided visits to the Visitors Centre and Environmental Resource Centres in 2000.	Organised 137 environmental awareness and education programmes with 1,923 green groups, schools and community groups; delivered 536 talks; and arranged 378 guided visits.
	To conduct three environmental education training workshops for 150 primary teachers in 2000-2001.	Conducted four workshops for 150 primary teachers in 2000-2001. In addition, conducted a workshop on environmental management in schools for 44 primary teachers.
	To extend Phase IV of the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing Estates for 2000-2001 to 300 additional housing estates.	Extended Phase IV of the Campaign for 2000-2001 to more than 400 additional housing estates.
	To invite 500 schools and 8,000 students to join the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme.	In school year 2000-2001, 520 schools with over 8,000 students participated in the Scheme.
	To train 1,000 members from the community groups to be environmental ambassadors by the end of 2000-2001.	Trained over 1,000 environmental ambassadors in 2000-2001.
Contribution to Sustainable Development	To complete the management of a territory-wide Environmental Baseline Study for SUSDEV21 for public dissemination in early 2001.	Completed in August 2000.
Contribution to Sustainable Development	To improve the help desk service to provide specific advice and assistance to government departments on the preparation of environmental reports in 2000.	Provided advice and assistance to more than 100 users from 38 government departments and bureaux. By the end of 2000, 74 departments and bureaux had produced their first reports.
Emergency Response	To run at least one territory-wide emergency drill with other government departments in 2000-2001.	Conducted one oil spill emergency drill with Marine Department and six other emergency drills (one at each LCO).

Initiatives to Strengthen the Environmental Performance of Our Internal Operations:

Reporting areas	Targets for 2000	Progress in 2000
Corporate Environmental Management	To obtain ISO 14001 certification for the Waste Facilities Business Unit in 2000.	Obtained ISO 14001 certification in September 2000.
	Each Green Action Team at the 13 EPD offices to carry out at least one self-audit on their green management practices in 2000.	Completed.
	To complete departmental green management audits on at least 10 EPD offices.	Completed.
Reduction of Pollution and Hazards	To continue the close supervision of our waste facilities contractors aiming for 100% compliance with both the legal and contractual environmental requirements.	Achieved a compliance rate of 99.9%.
Reduction of Pollution and Hazards	To achieve 100% compliance with the legal and departmental environmental requirements in our laboratories and field operations.	Achieved.
Greener Office	To keep the consumption of paper and electricity at 1999 levels.	Found paper consumption in 2000 to be 3% above that of 1999.
	To conduct a survey on the major sources of paper and electricity consumption in 2000 and set reduction targets for 2001.	Completed survey and are now analysing the data.
	To introduce Phase I of the electronic workflow project in 2000 to reduce paper-based transactions in our offices.	Implemented Phase I.
	To minimise the number of hard copies of reports submitted to EPD by also requiring the submission of electronic versions in 2000.	Require electronic versions of reports now.
Greener Transport	To devise internal Green Transport Plans for our operations to promote greater use of efficient and environmentally friendly means of transport by 2001.	Started work.
Greener Contractors and Suppliers	To require contractors of the two new waste management facilities to obtain ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification within two years of contract award.	Have incorporated ISO 14001 requirement into contracts.
	To develop jointly with the Government Supplies Department environmentally responsible product specifications for 31 common items in use government-wide in 2000.	Completed.
	To introduce a requirement to supply environmental information on products and services out-sourced from contractors and suppliers in 2000.	Introduced requirement for some products where applicable.
Staff Awareness, Training and Participation	To provide awareness training on Environmental Management System to WFBU staff in 2000 for preparation of ISO 14001 certification.	Provided awareness training to 212 staff and implementation training to 36 staff in 2000.
	To convert the Green Management Corner to the new departmental computer platform to facilitate greater access by all staff in 2000.	Completed conversion.
	To mobilise each division to organise at least one activity in 2000 to enhance staff awareness about environmental and green management issues.	Organised several green activities for staff.

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