EPD - Environmental Performance Report 2003

Environmental Performance Report 2003
Environmental Protection Department

Major Initiatives under EPD's programme:
Reporting Area	Targets for 2002	Progress in 2002
Contribution to Strategic Decision- making	To facilitate public access to strategic environmental assessment (SEA) reports through the Internet by 2002.	Uploaded three SEA reports onto EPD's Website for easy reference by the public.
	To continue promoting the application of SEAs to major government policies and proposals which might have major environmental implications. Examples on SEAs will be distributed to project proponents for promoting strategic environmental assessments.	Cleared over 190 Executive Council and Public Works Sub-committee submissions and prepared a folder of SEA examples which was distributed together with CD ROM version to project proponents.
	To liaise closely with the Sustainable Development Unit on the need to further update the various baseline data for the relevant environmental indicators.	Liaised closely with the Sustainable Development Unit on this matter.
Prevention and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment	To launch a system to allow public access to environmental monitoring and audit information of major development projects through the Internet in February 2002.	Launched the system on the EIAO Website in February 2002.
Better Air Quality	To commence the large-scale retrofit programme for pre-Euro standard diesel vehicles over 4 tonnes.	Commenced the programme in December 2002.
	To finalise the proposal to introduce LPG or electric light buses and phase out diesel light buses, in light of feedback from consultations with the light bus trade and LegCo.	Started to provide incentives to owners of diesel light buses in August 2002 to encourage them to replace their vehicles with LPG/electric ones.
	To put forward for LegCo's approval a proposal making the installation of a particulate removal device a requirement for the licence renewal of pre-Euro standard diesel vehicles up to 4 tonnes.	Submitted the legislative proposal for consideration by the policy bureau in 2002, aiming to seek approval from LegCo in 2003.
	To continue enforcing the perchloroethylene regulation.	Continued updating the list of approved dry-cleaning machines for reference by the trade.
	To launch the voluntary Indoor Air Quality certification scheme.	Conducted briefings for building owners/ management about the certification scheme to encourage them to participate when the scheme is launched.
	To work with Guangdong on plans and measures to improve air quality in the Pearl River Delta Region.	Formed a special panel on Pearl River Delta Air Quality Management and Monitoring in September 2002 under the Hong Kong – Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection. The special panel has agreed on a list of upcoming tasks including: Drawing up a regional air quality management plan; Establishing and operating a regional air quality monitoring network consisting of a total of 16 stations; Updating the regional emission inventory; Upgrading the scientific and technological capabilities of staff in dealing with air quality issues in the region through more technical exchanges and training.
Quieter Environment	To review 230 planning schemes and strategic proposals to minimise noise problems for about 68 000 people.	Reviewed 198 planning schemes and strategic proposals to minimise noise problems for about 46 000 people.
	To propose an amendment to the vehicle noise control regulation.	Completed. The Legislative Council passed the amendment in May 2002.
	To commence detail design work for retrofitting barriers for Phases 1 and 2 of the retrofitting programme and to commence resurfacing work at identified road sections.	Commenced the investigation studies and design consultancies for retrofitting barriers for Phases 1 and 2 of the retrofitting programme, and started investigation studies/design work of barriers on 5 roads. Started resurfacing work on the first batch of 24 roads.
	To launch a programme to promote better community understanding of environmental noise.	Completed. Conducted two briefing sessions for over 150 school teachers, and introduced a new environmental noise education package.
	To commence a study into the effects of environmental noise on people and their health.	The study will be carried out in phases. A study brief for the first-phase study on noise levels in Hong Kong has been developed.
Better Water Quality	To carry out the second phase of the monitoring method validation exercise in connection with the National Marine Environmental Monitoring Network.	Completed.
	To complete fieldwork for the studies recommended by the International Review Panel on the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme, and consult the scientific community on appropriate assessment criteria.	Completed.
	To table the draft new effluent standards in the Legislative Council and subsequently issue the new Technical Memorandum on Effluent Standards.	New draft standards could not be introduced into LegCo because of opposition from some sectors.
	To finalise the scope of amendments to the Water Pollution Control Ordinance to improve licence application procedures and to enhance enforcement effectiveness.	Submitted a revised proposal to the policy bureau in September 2002 for consideration, which was amended in light of public comments.
Environmentally-Sound Waste Management and Facilities	To develop proposals to tighten up controls on illegal disposal of waste and to enhance waste reduction initiatives.	Submitted the proposals to the policy bureau for consideration. Commissioned a Waste Management Study to examine further waste reduction and management options for several priority waste types.
	To implement on-going and new initiatives under the Waste Reduction Framework Plan. To develop new initiatives including legislative proposals to enhance waste reduction and recovery.	Submitted product responsibility proposals to the policy bureau for consideration. Commissioned a Waste Management Study to examine further waste reduction and management options for several priority waste types(tyres, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, beverage containers).
	To complete the study on expanding existing landfills and on potential sites for new waste disposal facilities.	Completed.
	To prepare a draft Waste Management Plan to identify the long-term waste management needs of Hong Kong.	Conducted studies to review future waste facility capacities, practices of other countries and legislation and policy drivers. The current task is to devise a mixture of management options that will bring about an integrated waste management system for Hong Kong.
	To develop the implementation arrangements of the landfill charging scheme and propose the associated legislative framework.	Discussed the charging proposal at the Legislative Council Environmental Affairs Panel meetings in February, May and June 2002. At the last meeting, 16 organisations were invited to express their views. With the exception of the three associations representing the waste haulers, all other 13 organisations were supportive of landfill charging.
	To complete an expression of interest exercise for recycling waste tyres and glass.	Completed the expression of interest exercise for waste glass and received four proposals from both local and overseas companies. Received 16 proposals for recycling waste tyres from local recyclers, research institutes and overseas companies.
	To commission a pilot facility for recycling electrical and electronic appliances.	Commissioned the pilot facility at North-West New Territories Refuse Transfer Station.
	To complete an expression of interest exercise in 2002 for the development of integrated waste management facilities for municipal solid waste.	Invited expression of interest (EOI) on 26 April 2002, and received a total of 59 submissions by closing of submission on 26 July 2002. Formed an Advisory Group to assist the government in assessing the EOI submissions in September 2002. The EOI submissions are now being assessed with a view to identifying waste management technologies that are potentially suitable for Hong Kong.
	To complete a preliminary study for the development and management of a recovery park.	Completed.
	To award a contract under a land licence arrangement for composting food waste at Ngau Tam Mei Composting Plant.	The tender was cancelled, as all tender returns were non-conforming. Other possible alternative uses of the site are now under consideration.
	To commence construction of a soccer-cum-baseball grass pitch at the former Sai Tso Wan Landfill.	Commenced construction work on 12 March 2003, under a contract awarded on 12 February 2003 for developing a multi-purpose grass pitch for football and baseball, car park and ancillary facilities.
	To commission the Ma Wan Refuse Transfer Facility.	Commissioning was rescheduled to early 2003 to match the housing development on Ma Wan.
Effective Enforcement and Emergency Response	To develop a centralized enforcement information archive as a reference tool for enforcement staff and senior management to use in enhancing enforcement actions.	Completed.
	To collaborate with other departments on the implementation of the Integrated Call Centre, which streamlines the handling of pollution complaints and enquiries on environmental pollution issues.	Established an in-house Customer Service Centre (CSC) to provide a single-number service to the public for lodging pollution complaints and enquiries. The Centre, which is equipped with a GIS-based Customer Relationship Management system and an on-screen knowledge database system, can provide instant responses to complaints and enquiries.
	To implement a pilot GIS-based pollution complaint database system and review its effectiveness in complaint investigation.	Completed. The review indicated that the system is of great value to the CSC operation.
	To ensure each local control office reviews its main control/enforcement priorities taking into account its specific local activities and conditions. Specific intensive enforcement activities will be organised on an as-needed basis.	Prepared a work plan for reviewing the progress of enforcement work done in the year and for setting new targets for the coming year in light of specific local conditions.
Building Partnerships	To develop a "Self-Learning / Train-the-Trainer" training package to help construction workers observe and meet environmental law requirements.	Produced a Train-the-Trainer CD ROM package for construction workers on meeting environmental law requirements.
	To further develop the structured partnership programme with the Hong Kong Construction Association aimed at helping the industry to adopt environmentally friendly measures.	Co-organized major conferences and exhibitions with the Hong Kong Construction Association, and the restaurant trade associations to promote environmental awareness and formalise collaborative efforts.
	To continue developing the partnership programme with the property management sector by assisting them in adopting good environmental practices and providing a clean and healthy living environment for the community.	Formed a liaison group with the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies to serve as a discussion forum for environmental issues. Organised a study mission to Japan to observe green practices in restaurants there and exchange experiences.
	To enhance the partnership programme with the vehicle repair trade and promote the adoption of environmentally friendly practices and pollution control technologies by the trade.	Established a formal partnership with the Environmental Vehicle Repair Association which further strengthened collaboration with the trade. Developed an Organic Vapor Absorption Unit together with detailed technical specifications for reference by the trade.
Environmental Awareness and Education	To implement Phase VI of the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing Estates for 2002-2003 to allow 300 additional housing estates to participate.	Implemented. A total of 1 218 public and private housing estates had participated the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing Estates by the end of 2002.
	To invite 660 schools and over 10 700 students to join the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme in 2002-2003.	666 schools and over 11 200 students joined the scheme by the end of 2002.
	To conduct 180 training workshops to train 3 600 stakeholders to be green leaders in 2002-2003.	246 training workshops were conducted to train 6 131 stakeholders to be green leaders in 2002.
	To conduct seven environmental education training workshops for 170 teachers in 2002-2003.	Six environmental education training workshops were conducted for 179 teachers by the end of 2002. Also, an environmental awareness training programme for civil servants was launched in December 2002.
	To extend the Waste Separation and Recycling Scheme in Schools to allow 200 additional schools to participate.	A total of 1 196 schools have joined the Waste Separation and Recycling Scheme in Schools. Also, the Waste Separation Scheme for Pre-schools was launched in December 2002, with over 680 pre-schools provided with waste separating bin demonstration models to use in teaching.
	To arrange 110 community visits by the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre in 2002-2003.	A total of 150 community visits by the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre were arranged in 2002. Also, the Green Desk community outreach programme was launched in mid 2002, and 99 Green Desk sessions had been set up by the end of 2002.

Initiatives to Strengthen the Environmental Performance of Our Internal Operations:
Reporting areas	Target for 2002	Progress in 2002
Corporate Environmental Management	To review the environmental aspects of EPD's internal activities.	Ongoing. Aim to complete the review in 2003.
Corporate Environmental Management	To implement recommendations from the 2001 gap analysis of our Environmental Management System (EMS) and ISO 14001 Standard.	Merger of EMS and Safety & Health Management System. Merger of Green Management Committee and Departmental Safety & Health Committee to form Departmental Environment, Safety & Health Committee.
Minimising the Impacts of Our Operations	To continue the close supervision of our waste facilities contractors aiming for full compliance with both the legal and contractual environmental requirements.	Achieved full compliance with legal requirements and 99.975 % compliance with contractual environmental requirements.
Minimising the Impacts of Our Operations	To achieve full compliance with the legal and departmental environmental requirements in our laboratories and field operations.	Achieved full compliance.
Greener Office	To implement further energy saving plans for the lighting and air conditioning systems in our Southorn Centre offices.	Occupancy sensors with dimmable controls for lighting were installed in common areas of 28th Floor, Southorn Centre. In addition, variable speed drives were installed for the air-conditioning system in all of EPD's Southorn Centre offices.
	To devise an action plan to provide a greener transport service for our operations, and promote greater use of efficient and environmentally-friendly means of transport.	Only less polluting vehicles running on petrol or LPG are in use. A car pool system to combine trips made by officers has helped us to reduce our vehicle requirements by one van and four motorcycles.
	To explore further energy and paper saving measures for our office operations.	Total paper consumption decreased from 15 736 in 2001 to 15 555 reams as a result of wider application of electronic workflow in the office. Total energy consumption, however, increased slightly due to increased number of computer servers, increased workload of the department and longer working hours.
Staff Awareness, Training and Participation	To organize more training opportunities for our staff.	Over 26 staff attended seminars on EMS and 141 staff attended in-house continuous professional development programmes.
Staff Awareness, Training and Participation	To promote staff participation and contributions to complement government-wide waste reduction initiatives.	All EPD offices have set up green corners to raise awareness and to recycle paper, plastics and aluminum cans. In addition, we launched the collection of mobile phone batteries and plastic bags for recycling in May and August respectively.