Environmental Performance Report 2005
Environmental Protection Department

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| Foreword | 1 Environmental Policy | 2 Organisation, Programmes and Responsibilities | 3 EPD Offices and Facilities | 4 Our Influence and Impact on the Environment | 5 Our Contribution to the Environment | 6 Our Own Operations | 7 Progress on Year 2004 Targets | 8 Targets for 2005 | 9 Verification Statement | 10 Feedback Form |

7 Progress on Year 2004 Targets

Major Initiatives under EPD's programme :
Reporting Area
Long term objective
Targets for 2004
Progress in 2004
Reason(s) for slippage, if applicable
Contribution to Strategic Decision- making To provide long term support to bureaux and departments, who since 2000 have been required to publish annual Environmental Performance Reports (EPRs), as well as reporting guidebooks and benchmark tools for preparing the EPR.

 To launch a CEM Cyber Helpdesk for EPRs in 2004 to help all government bureaux / departments to prepare and improve the quality of their reports. Launched a CEM Cyber Helpdesk for EPR in August to help government bureaux / departments to prepare and improve the quality of their reports. N.A
       To explore and develop measures to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the construction and electrical / electronic sectors to understand the local and global environmental pressures from various stakeholders and stay competitive in the environmentally conscious world business market; and to facilitate these sectors in adopting and implementing the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS). To complete a study to consolidate environmental management information with ISO
14001 EMS support packages for the SMEs in the construction and electrical / electronic sectors in Hong Kong.		 Completed a study on ISO 14001 EMS for SMEs in the construction and electrical / electronic sectors in November. N.A
    Organised a seminar and launched a support package on Environmental Management Information and ISO
14001 EMS for SMEs in the construction sector in December.		  
      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. Views were taken into account and the Manual was finalised in November. It was introduced during the 1st China International Forum on Environmental Impact Assessment at BoAo, China held on 13-15 December, and uploaded to EPD's SEA webpages in pdf and html formats for easy access by the public.

 N.A
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.

 A seminar on CPI held in May attracted more than 200 participants. N.A
      To launch a web-based e-learning platform for the public to better understand the EIA mechanism.

 A web-based e-learning platform was launched on the EIAO website. N.A
Better Air Quality To make the retrofit requirement mandatory. To complete the retrofit programme for pre-Euro standard diesel vehicles over 4 tonnes.

Installation completed, except for those diesel vehicles that undertake long idling duties. N.A
  To increase public awareness about good indoor air quality, and thereby achieve and maintain better indoor air quality. To continue the promotion of good indoor air quality (IAQ) and review what improvements should be made.

 

 

 

 By the end of 2004, six sites had achieved "Excellent Class" and 46 sites "Good Class" under the IAQ Certification Scheme for Offices and Public Places. The scheme has been taking applications since September 2003. N.A
Several measures were taken to promote and encourage active participation in the Certification Scheme. In 2004 three experience-sharing seminars were organised, attended by 500 participants from the relevant trades. The EPD also explained the Certification Scheme at eight seminars organised by government departments and local and overseas professional bodies.
The department is also reviewing the framework for quality assurance under the Certification Scheme.
  To establish and operate a regional joint air quality monitoring network for the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. To put into operation a joint air quality monitoring network in the PRD region. The regional joint air quality monitoring network for the PRD region has been set up and will start operating in 2005. N.A
To understand the regional air pollution situation.

Standard operating procedures for quality control and assurance in the joint air quality monitoring network have been drafted with Guangdong officials.  
To ensure the comparability of data in the PRD region.  
        Inter-laboratory comparisons with our Guangdong counterparts have been completed.  
  To harmonise the working criteria, skills and experience in the PRD region air monitoring network. To conduct technical exchanges with Guangdong on air quality monitoring. Technical exchanges on data processing, field operations, standard certification and audits have been carried out. N.A
Quieter Environment To prevent and minimise environmental noise through early intervention in the planning process. To review 180 planning schemes and strategic proposals to minimise noise problems for about 41 000 people.

 Reviewed 146 planning schemes and strategic proposals to benefit
32 000 people.		 N.A
  To resolve road traffic noise issues through implementation of abatement measures. 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.

Supported investigation studies/ design work/ engineering feasibility studies for retrofitting barrier projects and the work for resurfacing the identified road sections. N.A
  To minimise environmental noise problems through enforcement of the Noise Control Ordinance. 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.

 Completed. The new provision of the Noise Control Ordinance has been put into operation. N.A
  To raise public awareness on environmental noise and encourage public involvement. To develop an interactive system for enhancing the public's appreciation of noise levels from different sources.

 Completed. N.A
Better Water Quality To monitor the biological responses of indicator species with respect to changes in water quality and to assess the effects of pollutants on the ecological health of the marine environment. 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. A bio-indicator monitoring programme was initiated, which includes bio-indicators at various biological organisation levels. A programme examining community indicators will be initiated in 2006.

 N.A
  To monitor the marine environment (water, sediment and biota) for chemicals of potential concern as well as priority toxic substances which are controlled internationally. To prepare and initiate a programme for monitoring toxic substances in Hong Kong's marine environment. A toxic substances monitoring programme was initiated. Field sampling was conducted in mid 2004 and the laboratory analyses are expected to be completed by early 2005.

 N.A

 

 

 To restore Deep Bay to a clean and healthy state by year 2015. 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. The Mirs Bay and Deep Bay Areas Environmental Management Special Panel met in September and endorsed a detailed work plan and agreed on membership of the joint study management team for the first review of the Deep Bay Water Pollution Control Joint Implementation Programme. The review study commenced in October. N.A
  To address water pollution and nuisance problems from stormwater drains and improve the environment of waterfront areas in Victoria Harbour. To complete an in-house investigation on stormwater pollution in Mong Kok in early 2004. To commence a planned study on urban stormwater pollution for West Kowloon subject to decision by our bureau. The in-house investigation on stormwater pollution for Mong Kok was completed in March . The data and findings supported the case for follow up work to tackle the issue. This is now being considered at policy bureau level. The planned study on urban stormwater pollution in West Kowloon was deferred to allow time for comprehensive consideration of the results of the Mong Kok study.
 
  To demonstrate the feasibility of reclaimed water uses and facilitate a policy decision on the way forward for territory-wide application. To initiate preparatory work for an effluent re-use demonstration scheme in North District subject to decision by our bureau. The scope and programme of the Demonstration Scheme was agreed by the Bureau, DSD and WSD. Preparatory work for commencement of design and construction is under way. N.A
    To establish the priorities and scope of the remaining sewerage projects, so as to best utilise the limited public funds for improving the environment and public sanitation.

 To support the policy bureau in the review of the priorities and scope of recommended projects in the sewerage programme. Liaison with the Bureau continued throughout the year and a considerable number of priority projects were funded in 2004. N.A
  To implement the high priority recommendations under the various sewerage master plan reviews, in consultation with DSD. To pursue the high priority recommendations with DSD. Ongoing discussions were held with DSD to follow up on local improvement measures, as well as early implementation of priority sewerage works through CWRF Block Vote bids.

 N.A
  To establish standardised methodologies, procedures and requirements of sewerage impact assessments for all planning areas of Hong Kong. To issue updated guidelines for sewerage planning and the carrying out of sewerage impact assessment by project proponents. Proposals for revising the Guidelines of Estimating Sewage Flows were issued to DSD in July. The revised Guidelines are being finalised for issue in January 2005. The guidelines will be adopted for internal use in EPD before further promulgation.

 The slight slippage was due to an expanded scope for data analysis and investigation to take account of DSD's comments.
  To implement HATS Stage 2 in a timely manner, with a view to improving the harbour water quality and sustaining it in the long term. To complete community consultation on the trials and studies for the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS), and identify the way forward for implementing HATS.

 Consultation was completed in November. N.A
  To introduce the new effluent standards into the Legislative Council for negative vetting. To introduce the new effluent standards into the Legislative Council for negative vetting subject to decision by our policy bureau. The effluent standards that were established in a review conducted several years ago, were re-visited at the request of the bureau. New scientific information became available during the HATS Environmental and Engineering Feasibility Study concluded in 2004.
Environmentally- Sound Waste Management and Facilities To provide economic incentives for waste producers to reduce and recycle construction waste, in order to conserve precious landfill space. To implement the construction waste charging scheme by 2005 upon passage of the Bill by the Legislative Council in 2004. LegCo passed the Waste Disposal (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2003 on 2 July. The Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Construction Waste) Regulation & Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facilities) (Amendment) Regulation 2004, setting out details of the charging scheme, were tabled in LegCo for vetting in November. A Subcommittee was formed to study these Regulations. The slight slippage was due to the need to wait for a slot in LegCo to vet the Bill, as well as the longer vetting period taken by LegCo to address the trades' concerns and to examine the charging scheme.
  To explore ways to develop the restored landfills for beneficial uses.

 To commission the Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground in March/April 2004. Completed. N.A
  To develop a long-term sustainable waste management strategy for Hong Kong. To produce the second draft Waste Management Plan by incorporating results of the Expressions of Interest exercise and Design-Build-Operate Review. Work progressed on the EOI exercise. An evaluation of technology options was completed and a public consultation is planned for 2005. The programme of the EOI public consultation slipped because of policy considerations (it was deemed better to consult the public in 2005 instead of the end of 2004).
  To maintain adequate landfill capacity for the final disposal of wastes. To commission feasibility studies on extension schemes for the three strategic landfills. Scopes of the studies were finalised after extensive communication with the key stakeholders. Extensive public communication initiatives were undertaken in drawing up the scopes of the studies.
  To encourage and facilitate maximum beneficial use of landfill gas.

 To finalise the landfill gas selling arrangement for the North East New Territories Landfill. Completed. N.A
  To explore environmentally sound recycling outlets for used computers and electrical appliances, and to examine the financial and operational requirements for running a long-term recycling programme.

 To complete a pilot scheme to recover
22 000 used computers and electrical and electronic equipment for reuse and recycling by December.		 About 41 000 units of used computer and electrical and electronic equipment were recovered for reuse or recycling. N.A
  To establish the Eco Park (previously known as Recovery Park) for the provision of long-term land and infrastructure to support the development of the recycling industry in Hong Kong.

 To submit the EIA and land-use rezoning reports under the EIAO and Town Planning Ordinance for the Eco Park project by the third quarter of 2004. Work was in progress, with the EIA and land use rezoning reports to be completed in early 2005. Additional time was required to deal with the technical complexities of the Air Quality Impact Assessment.
  To identify the most suitable option for implementing product responsibility schemes for tyres and batteries in Hong Kong. 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. The draft final regulatory impact assessment report was submitted by the consultants. Many views and suggestions were offered by the stakeholders and the consultants required more time to incorporate them in the assessment.
  To characterise food waste in Hong Kong and promote on-site waste treatment. To commence in February and complete by the first quarter of 2005 a study on food waste management. Food wastes of 37 major sources were characterised and 2 food waste generators expressed interest in on-site waste treatment. N.A
  To promote the development of the local waste tyre recycling industry. To continue the pilot scheme to recycle waste tyres. About 2 400 tonnes of waste tyres, which would have been disposed of at landfills, were recovered and turned into useful materials. This saved landfill space as well as the cost of transporting the tyres to landfills. N.A
   To develop integrated waste management facilities in Hong Kong to reduce the environmental burden and landfill space required for waste disposal. To evaluate waste management technology options and to consult the public on the technology options for development of integrated waste management facilities. An evaluation of waste management technologies options was completed in 2004. A public consultation on the options is scheduled in the first half of 2005. The public consultation programme was revised to tie in with the overall policy development.
  To implement legal control of the generation, collection and disposal of clinical waste in 2007. To proceed with the legislative programme for the control of the disposal of clinical waste. The Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill for the control of clinical waste was submitted to the Legislative Council in June 2003. Due to the large number of Bills submitted in the 2003/04 legislative year, LegCo did not have time to scrutinise the Bill. It will be re-introduced to LegCo in 2004/05.
  To implement the use of new risk-based standards for contaminated land management after thorough consultation with the stakeholders. To start consultation with stakeholders on the draft Risk Based Remediation Goals for contaminated land management. A draft consultation paper was prepared. The Guidance Manual for Use of Risk-based Remediation Goals for Contaminated Land Management and the associated Background Document were also revised. More time is required for discussion with the bureau on the technical details related to the Risk-based Remediation Goals and for endorsement of the consultation document.
Effective Enforcement and Emergency Response To promote the wider use of environmentally friendly / quality construction equipment and technology in construction work so as to minimise any nuisance created. 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.   The consultation process has been started and comments and support from HKCA sought in August. N.A
HKCA were briefed on our proposal in the same month and HKCA is in support of our proposal.
3 public briefings / workshops were arranged for the trade in October to solicit views on the proposal and the implementation details.
  To integrate the GIS-based complaint database system with the integrated enforcement database (being developed and expected to be completed in 2006) to further enhance the response to pollution complaints and facilitate investigation work.

 To develop and implement web-based application of the GIS-based database system, to enhance the response to pollution complaints.   The web-based application of the GIS-based database system has been fully implemented from October. N.A
  To apply a mobile computing solution as far as possible in all enforcement activities, with the long term objectives of:
removing as far as possible the need to input data manually into the back-end database system;
enhancing the data communication process with built-in integrity checking/verifications;
enabling off-site communication, including e-mail and online data / information transfer, for ad hoc or emergency investigation.
  		To develop and implement a mobile computing solution for routine enforcement work. The System Analysis & Design stage of the project was completed. N.A
The Physical Design of the system is in progress.
Some polluter mapping exercises are being done in house to prepare a master file of the Integrated Enforcement index for waste and water activities.
PDA forms / checklists, together with an e-Form Generation Engine, are being developed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
To provide a common integrated electronic platform for the day-to-day management of enforcement information of all sorts (i.e. all media and activities), with the long term objectives of:
minimising or avoiding duplicated data handling;
facilitating data sharing and communication among different media activities; and
allowing modelling of any types to achieve better decision making and strategic planning.
To develop and implement an integrated database solution for streamlining multi-media enforcement workflow and data management. The system is now being developed and expected to be completed by early 2006. N.A
  The project commenced in May and is now at the system design stage for working out the technical option and business solutions.
A working paper on the Current Environment Description of the various business processes and work flow was completed.
Focus Group discussion and meetings are being conducted to collect user requirements for the project.
Building Partnerships and Customer Service To raise the operational practice of all existing clinical waste collectors to the standard of the future regulatory control. To continuously raise the operational standard of all existing clinical waste collectors in 2004 to the level required in the upcoming regulatory control. Performance audit was carried out and professional advice given to existing collectors on improvement areas identified in the audit. N.A
Training courses on safe handling of clinical waste were carried out jointly with the Occupational Health and Safety Council.
      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 promote the concept of Continuous Public Inovlvement, two joint seminars were organized in May and June with more than 450 participants from the private and public sectors. N.A
The EIAO Support Section held 13 EIA Training and Capacity Building Workshops for 430 participants from varioius sectors. An
e-learning platform on the EIA mechanism was launched in March on the EPD website for easy public access.
      To distribute the Training Manual on the EIA mechanism to promote dialogue.  

 The Training Manual on the EIA mechanism was distributed to relevant stakeholders. N.A
  To promote environmental compliance and awareness in the vehicle repair trade and advocate green management practices. 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. The "Green Garage Election 2004" was held in early 2004 with the Hong Kong Vehicle Repair Merchants Association Ltd. and the Environmental Vehicle Repairers Association Ltd. N.A
As part of the election campaign, apprentices at a technical institute were invited to design a logo for the "Green Garage Election 2004" to help promote green garage practices.
An award presentation ceremony with game booths was held at East Point City in May to spread the green garage message to the public.
  To provide an electronic transaction platform for the public to access specific environmental information interactively, submit applications, settle payment and receive licences electronically. To launch the licensing module of the Environmental Protection Interactive Centre (EPIC) in promoting e-services and on-line fee payment for licence application. The licensing module of EPIC was launched by phases, with the first 3 Noise Emission Labels functions available internally in 2004. N.A
Enhancement of the back-end license processing module was started and completed in 2004, to improve the applicability of the system.
It is anticipated that the remaining licensing functions will be available by mid-2005.
Environmental Awareness and Education To encourage all public and private housing estates to participate in waste recycling and achieve an increased recovery rate. To implement Phase VIII of the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing Estates in 2004 to recruit 40-60 more housing estates to participate. 1 420 housing estates joined the Waste Recycling Campaign in Housing Estates (Phase VIII) which was launched in April. N.A
A pilot programme on "Source Separation of Waste" was launched to collect a wide range of recyclables on each floor of apartment blocks.
  To extend the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme by including members of youth groups and offering comprehensive training programmes.

 To invite 750 schools and 12 000 students to join the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme in 2004. 750 schools and about
12 000 students joined the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme in 2004.		 N.A
  To empower teachers, through the train-the-trainer programme, with the capacity to train Student Environmental Protection Ambassadors.

 To conduct 14 environmental education training workshops for 420 teachers in 2004. 17 environmental education training workshops were held for about 800 teachers in 2004. N.A
  To reach out to every sector of the community and bring the latest environmental information to the public. To arrange 110 community visits by the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre in 2004. 114 community visits by the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre were conducted in 2004. N.A
  To organise 50 environmental awareness training sessions for civil servants in 2004. 50 environmental awareness training sessions were organised in 2004. N.A
  
To widen and fortify the green network in the community by setting up the Green Desks.     To arrange 120 community outreach visits by the EPD's Green Desk in 2004.  123 community outreach visits by the Green Desks were arranged in 2004. N.A


Initiatives to Strengthen the Environmental Performance of Our Internal Operations:

 
Reporting Area
Long term objective
Targets for 2004
Progress in 2004
Reason(s) for slippage, if applicable
Corporate Environmental Management To pursue continual improvement in our environmental performance by implementing an effective management system. To monitor the potential significant environmental aspects of EPD's internal activities as identified in the 2003 review. Monitoring kept up. N.A
Progress in paper and energy savings is reported in "Greener Office"
Minimising the Impacts of Our Operations To ensure wastes treated / disposed of at our facilities are managed in the most environmentally acceptable manner. To continue close supervision of our waste facilities contractors, aiming at full compliance with both legal and contractual environmental requirements. On going. Achieved full compliance with legal requirements and 99.983% compliance with contractual environmental requirements. N.A
To exercise operational control to avoid and reduce pollution arising from our services To achieve full compliance with legal and departmental environmental requirements in our labouratories and field operations. Achieved full compliance. N.A
Greener Office To demonstrate efficiency and commitment to environmental conservation. To further extend the
e-request arrangement to purchase of all consumable items costing less than
$50,000 and phase out hard copy submissions.		 Launched mandatory application of the
e-request for procurement of consumable items less than $50,000.		 N.A
  To contribute to the reduction of expenditure and reduce resources consumption. To actively implement new paper saving initiatives identified in 2003 to catch up with the government-wide voluntary target for saving paper. Achieved 2.5% reduction target in
2003/04 financial year.		 N.A
Established a paper ordering plan. Groups were required to follow the corresponding consumption targets.
To implement further energy saving measures in conjunction with energy audit. Appointed Energy Wardens to remind staff of housekeeping measures for saving energy.
    Conducted energy audits in eight EPD offices. Department-wide electricity consumption was reduced by about 0.6 % from 2 682 561 KWh in 2003 to 2 667 398 KWh in 2004.
           To further pursue green transport arrangements and reduce reliance on Government vehicles. 2 vehicles were returned to the Government Logistics Department. The departmental fleet was reduced to 54 vehicles.  
      To conduct IAQ tests and obtain IAQ Certificates for all EPD offices by phases to ensure a healthy working environment for all staff. By 2004, EPD had one premise certified Excellent Class, and eight premises certified Good Class in the IAQ Certification Scheme.  
Staff Awareness, Training and Participation To promote staff environmental awareness and encourage participation in environmental protection activities To organise workshops / seminars and awareness campaigns for staff. 62 staff attended seminars/briefings on environmental management related courses.  
   

To promote staff participation and contributions to complement government-wide waste reduction and other green initiatives. Participated in the Hong Kong Awards for Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Government to raise staff awareness of energy saving.  


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