Environmental Protection Department - Environmental Performance Report 2004

Environmental Performance Report 2004
Environmental Protection Department

Major Initiatives under EPD's programme:
Reporting Area	Targets for 2004
Contribution to Strategic Decision-making	To launch a CEM Cyber Helpdesk for Environmental Performance Reports in 2004 to help all government bureaux/departments to prepare and improve the quality of their reports.
	To complete a study to consolidate environmental management information with ISO 14001 EMS templates for the SMEs in the electrical/electronic sector and the construction sector in Hong Kong.
	To continue promoting Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the region and take into account views from practitioners’ on the interim SEA Manual published in 2003.
Prevention and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment	To organise a launching seminar for Continuous Public Involvement (CPI) to promote the importance of CPI to various stakeholders.
	To launch a web-based e-learning platform for the public to better understand the EIA mechanism.
Better Air Quality	To complete the retrofit programme for pre-Euro standard diesel vehicles over 4 tonnes.
	To continue the promotion of good indoor air quality (IAQ) and review what improvements should be made.
	To put into operation a joint air quality monitoring network in the Pearl River Delta Region.
	To conduct technical exchanges with Guangdong on air quality monitoring.
Quieter Environment	To review 180 planning schemes and strategic proposals to minimise noise problems for about 41 000 people.
	To continue supporting investigation studies/design work for retrofitting barriers in the retrofitting programme, and the engineering feasibility studies and work for resurfacing identified road sections.
	To put into operation the new provision of the Noise Control Ordinance to hold directors of body corporate liable for noise offences by their companies.
	To develop an interactive system for enhancing the public's appreciation of noise levels from different sources.
Better Water Quality	To implement by phases a bioindicator monitoring programme for tracking the effects of pollutants on the ecological health of the marine environment in Hong Kong.
	To prepare and initiate a programme for monitoring toxic substances in Hong Kong’s marine environment.
	To work out an agreed plan with the Shenzhen Authority to conduct the first review of the Deep Bay Water Pollution Control Joint Implementation Programme for improving the water quality of Deep Bay.
	To complete the in-house investigation on stormwater pollution for Mong Kok in early 2004. To commence the planned study on urban stormwater pollution for West Kowloon subject to decision by our bureau.
	To initiate preparatory work for an effluent re-use demonstration scheme in North District subject to decision by our bureau.
	To support the policy bureau in the review of priorities and scope of recommended projects in the sewerage programme.
	To pursue the high priority recommendations of the various SMP reviews with DSD.
	To issue updated guidelines for sewerage planning and the carrying out of sewerage impact assessment by project proponents.
	To complete community consultation on the trials and studies for the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS), and identify the way forward for implementing HATS.
	To introduce the new effluent standards into the Legislative Council for negative vetting subject to decision by our policy bureau.
Environmentally-Sound Waste Management and Facilities	To implement the construction waste charging scheme by 2005 upon passing of the Bill by the LegCo in 2004.
	To commission the Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground in March/April 2004.
	To produce the second draft Waste Management Plan by incorporating results of the Expressions of Interest exercise and Design-Build-Operate Review.
	To commission feasibility studies on extension schemes for the three strategic landfills.
	To finalise the landfill gas selling arrangement for the North East New Territories Landfill.
	To complete a pilot scheme to recover 22 000 used computers and electrical and electronic equipment for reuse and recycling by December 2004.
	To submit the EIA and landuse rezoning reports under the EIAO and Town Planning Ordinance for the Recovery Park project by the third quarter of 2004.
	To complete a regulatory impact assessment to assess the costs and benefits of employing product responsibility schemes to manage waste tyres and batteries by the second quarter of 2004.
	To commence in February 2004 and complete by the first quarter of 2005 a study on food waste management.
	To continue the pilot scheme to recycle waste tyres.
	To evaluate waste management technology options and to consult the public on the technology options for development of integrated waste management facilities.
	To proceed with the legislative programme for the control of the disposal of clinical waste.
	To start consultation with stakeholders on the draft Risk Based Remediation Goals for contaminated land management.
Effective Enforcement and Emergency Response	To set up a system and collate information on up-to-date powered mechanical equipment to assist the construction trade in preparing Construction Noise Permit applications.
	To develop and implement web-based application of the GIS-based database system, to enhance the response to pollution complaints.
	To develop and implement a mobile computing solution for routine enforcement work.
	To develop and implement an integrated database solution for streamlining multi-media enforcement workflow and data management.
Building Partnerships and Customer Service	To continuously raise the operational standard of all existing clinical waste collectors in 2004 to the level required in the upcoming regulatory control.
	To continue reaching out proactively to private and public sector proponents, contractors, consultants and professional bodies in order to enhance their understanding of the EIA Mechanism. To further collaborate with professional bodies to reach out to professionals in the private sector.
	To distribute the Training Manual on the EIA mechanism to promote dialogue.
	To co-organise the "Green Garage Election" with the vehicle repair trade to recognise environmentally responsible vehicle repair workshops and promote further improvement in environmental compliance.
	To launch the licensing module of the Environmental Protection Interactive Centre (EPIC) in promoting e-services and on-line fee payment for licence application.
Environmental Awareness and Education	To implement Phase VIII of the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing Estates in 2004 to recruit 40-60 more housing estates to participate.
	To invite 750 schools and 12 000 students to join the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme in 2004.
	To conduct 14 environmental education training workshops for 420 teachers in 2004.
	To arrange 110 community visits by the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre in 2004.
	To organise 50 environmental awareness training sessions for civil servants in 2004.
	To arrange 120 community outreach visits by Green Desk in 2004.

Initiatives to Strengthen the Environmental Performance of Our Internal Operations:

Reporting areas	Target for 2004
Corporate Environmental Management	To monitor the potential significant environmental aspects of EPD’s internal activities as identified in the 2003 review.
Minimising the Impacts of Our Operations	To continue close supervision of our waste facilities contractors aiming at full compliance with both legal and contractual environmental requirements.
Minimising the Impacts of Our Operations	To achieve full compliance with legal and departmental environmental requirements in our laboratories and field operations.
Greener Office	To further extend the e-request arrangement to purchase of all consumable items costing less than $50 000 and phase out hard copy submissions.
	To actively implement new paper saving initiatives identified in 2003 to catch up with the government-wide voluntary target for saving paper.
	To implement further energy saving measures in conjunction with energy audit.
	To further pursue green transport arrangements and reduce reliance on Government vehicles.
	To conduct IAQ tests and obtain IAQ Certificates for all EPD offices by phases to ensure a healthy working environment for all staff.
Staff Awareness, Training and Participation	To organize workshops/seminars and awareness campaigns for staff.
Staff Awareness, Training and Participation	To promote staff participation and contributions to complement government-wide waste reduction initiatives.