Note: Some long term objectives and targets reported here have been re-arranged due to the reorganisation of the EPD and the redistribution of business.


Major Reporting Areas under EPD's Programmes:
Long term objective Targets for 2005 Measurement Method / indicator Progress in 2005 (With reason(s) for slippage, if applicable)
I - Contribution to Strategic Decision-making
  1. Ensure small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fully understand the requirements of an Environmental Management System (EMS) for implementing and adopting the ISO 14001 EMS.
  1. To organise a seminar and launch a support package on Environmental Management Information and the ISO 14001 EMS for SMEs in the electrical/electronic sector.
 Measured by number of participants and their feedback.
  • The seminar was held in January 2005 and supported by the electrical/electronic sector.
  • Some 150 people participated, with about 42% providing feedback. 85% of respondents said the seminar was "good" to "excellent" and found the support package useful.
  • EMS support packages were updated in November 2005 to meet the latest requirements for the ISO 14001 EMS.
  1. Promote Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to the public locally and internationally by providing easy access to the SEA Manual and related information.
  1. To enhance the electronic version of the SEA Manual now being posted on the EPD web site, aiming to provide links to various SEAs and environmental information.
 Measured by enhancement of SEA information on the EPD web site. Launched the web-based SEA knowledge centre.
  1. To revamp the SEA web pages to make them more user-friendly, interactive and appealing.
    
  1. Continue to introduce the SEA Manual and promote SEAs to local and overseas government officials and professionals at forums, workshops and similar occasions.
 Measured by number of forums organised. Organised two seminars for practitioners on SEAs.¡@
II - Prevention and Mitigation through Environmental Impact Assessment
  1. Help the public to understand EIA findings.
  1. To launch an improved version of the demo 3-D EIA project on the web site to illustrate its application and how the public could more easily visualise and understand key EIA findings.
 Measured by successful launch of the interactive 3-D continuous public engagement in EIA, and number of projects using it. The interactive 3-D continuous public engagement in EIA was launched in 2005 and by the end of the year, eight major proposed projects had incorporated a 3-D EIA tool into their plans.
III - Better Air Quality
  1. Comply with the requirements of the Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
     In progress.¡@
  1. Reduce local air pollution
  1. To complete the retrofit programme for long-idling pre-Euro standard diesel vehicles over 4 tonnes.
   Completed.
  1. To introduce to the Legislative Council legislation to tighten emission standards for newly registered vehicles to Euro IV standards, in step with the European Union.
   In good progress. ¡@
  1. To introduce to the Legislative Council legislation to require all pre-Euro standard vehicles over 4 tonnes to be installed with emission reduction devices.
   Completed.¡@
  1. To draft a regulation with respect to the contents of volatile organic compounds in paint, printing inks and selected consumer products.
   In good progress.¡@
  1. To implement a regulation requiring petrol filling stations to install and operate vapour recovery systems for vehicle refuelling.
   Completed.¡@
  1. To continue the promotion of good indoor air quality (IAQ) and review what improvements should be made, such as developing a quality assurance system for indoor air quality certification works.
   In progress.¡@
IV - Quieter Environment
  1. Prevent and minimise environmental noise through early intervention in the planning process.
  1. To review 140 planning schemes and strategic proposals to minimise noise problems for about 32 000 people.
 Measured in terms of number of planning schemes and strategic proposals reviewed, and number of people benefited. 148 planning schemes and strategic proposals were reviewed, benefiting 33 000 people.
  1. Resolve road traffic noise issues through implementation of abatement measures.
  1. To continue supporting reviews, investigation studies and design work for retrofitting barriers for Public Works Programme (PWP) Category A, B and C projects, as well as technical feasibility studies for other retrofit projects and work to resurface identified road sections.
 Measured in terms of number of retrofit projects in progress and number of road sections resurfaced.
  • Provided support to various studies/design work in connection with the implementation of the abatement measures.
  • Commenced / proceeded construction of three noise barrier retrofit projects.
  • Commenced / proceeded investigation / design of 18 PWP Category B noise barrier retrofit projects.
  • Resurfaced 11 road sections.
V - Better Water Quality
  1. Restore Deep Bay to a clean and healthy state by year 2015.
  1. To complete water pollution surveys for the Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Tin Shui Wai, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin catchments under the first review of the Deep Bay Water Pollution Control Joint Implementation Programme.
 Measured in terms of progress and achievement of target. The water pollution surveys for the Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Tin Shui Wai, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin catchments were completed in November 2005.
  1. Introduce new effluent standards into the Legislative Council for negative vetting.
  1. To re-visit some of the effluent standards established in a review conducted on the Technical Memorandum for Effluent Standards several years ago, upon request of the bureau.
 Measured in terms of achievement of target. The effluent standards established in the review have been re-visited.
  1. Make reclaimed water usage one of the key options under the Total Water Management initiative in Hong Kong.
  1. To complete the design and tender process for the Demonstration Scheme on Reclaimed Water Uses in the North District in 2005.
 Measured in terms of progress and achievement of target. Design for the Demonstration Scheme was prepared and the tender invitation process completed in 2005.
  1. Implement HATS Stage Two to improve the harbour water quality and sustain the improvement in the long term.
  1. To identify the way forward for HATS, based on views collected in the consultation in 2004, and the Chief Executive's 2005 Environmental Policy Agenda.
 Measured in terms of ExCo's approval and LegCo's support of the proposed way forward. We reported the results of the public consultation to the Executive Council and the Legislative Council in 2005. The CE - in -Council directed that Stage Two should be implemented in two phases, subject to community acceptance of the need for the full operating costs of providing sewage services to be recovered through sewage charges.
VI - Environmentally Sound Waste Management and Facilities
  1. Promote waste reduction and recycling, and develop integrated waste management facilities to reduce the environmental burden and landfill space requirement arising from waste disposal.
  1. To consult the public on technology options for the development of integrated waste management facilities in Hong Kong.
Measured in terms of number of public engagement workshops. A paper was submitted to the LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs in May 2005 regarding technical aspects of the integrated waste management facilities. A total of three public engagement workshops were organised in September 2005.
  1. To implement the construction waste charging scheme at landfills in the latter part of 2005.
 Measured in terms of time of commissioning. The scheme was implemented in December 2005.
  1. To replace the pilot scheme on waste tyre recycling with a longer-term programme to be commissioned in the second half of 2005.
Measured in terms of progress on tendering. The first tender was called in October 2005 and subsequently cancelled resulting in a slippage.
The service contract for the 2nd phase of the pilot scheme, lasting 31 months, was awarded in February 2006.
  1. To continue pilot programmes to recover used computers and electrical and electronic equipment for reuse and recycling, with a target of 42 000 items.
 Measured in terms of number of items processed. New centres were set up at Kowloon Bay Transfer Station in October 2005 for recycling used computers and electrical appliances. Over 50 000 items were processed in 2005.
  1. To launch the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme in the first half of 2005.
Measured in terms of timing of launch. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Programme was launched in April 2005.
  1. To invite tenders for construction of the EcoPark in Tuen Mun Area 38.
 Measured in terms of successful launch of tender exercise. Planning issues for rezoning of the EcoPark site were resolved in 2005. Tenders will be invited in February 2006.
  1. To promote source separation of domestic waste territory-wide in partnership with property management associations and companies, with a target to recruit 180 housing estates/buildings to the programme by the end of 2005.
 Measured in terms of number of participating housing estates/ buildings. By the end of 2005, 223 housing estates/buildings had signed up for the programme.
  1. To commission feasibility studies on extension schemes for the three strategic landfills.
Measured in terms of time of commissioning.
  • Feasibility studies for NENT and SENT Landfill extension schemes were commissioned in 2005.
  • The programme on the WENT Landfill extension scheme is being reviewed.
  1. To commission a study for the follow-on operation of Island East Transfer Station.
 Measured in terms of time of commissioning. The consultant selection for the Island East Transfer Station project was completed by December 2005 and a consultancy study will be commissioned in early January 2006.
  1. To review the feasibility of the development of a grease trap waste treatment facility in the urban area.
 Measured in terms of time of completion of the feasibility review. Feasibility confirmed and development of the grease trap waste treatment facility at the West Kowloon Transfer Station is in progress.
  1. To re-introduce the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill for the control of clinical waste to the Legislative Council (LegCo).
 Measured in terms of successful re-introduction of the Bill to the LegCo. The Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill for the control of clinical waste was submitted to the LegCo in May 2005. A Bills Committee was formed by the LegCo to examine the Bill.
  1. Achieve full recovery of the variable operating cost of collecting and treating chemical waste and MARPOL waste at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre (CWTC).
  1. To revise charges for the disposal of chemical waste and MARPOL waste at the CWTC.
 Measured in terms of timing of the revision of charges.
  • The proposed revision of charges for disposal of chemical waste at CWTC has been deferred to 2006 because of opposition from some chemical waste producers, particularly from the printed circuit board trade.
  • Charges for disposal of MARPOL waste at CWTC was revised in 31 March 2006.
VII - Cross-boundary and International Co-operation
  1. Fulfil the HKSAR's obligations under the Stockholm Convention.
  1. To compile a Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) emission inventory for Hong Kong and draft the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Implementation Plan as part of China's National Implementation Plan for submission to the Conference of Parties of the Stockholm Convention before November 2006.
 Measured in terms of progress and achievement of target. A POPs emission inventory for Hong Kong was completed. A stakeholder consultation workshop was held in November 2005 to solicit views from the community on proposed action plans to be included in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Implementation Plan, a draft of which was completed in December 2005.
  1. Work with Guangdong authorities to improve regional air quality in the Pearl River Delta region.
  
  1. To implement jointly with Guangdong authorities the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan agreed in December 2003, in accordance with its 2005 Work Plan.
 To start operating a regional air quality monitoring network. The joint air quality monitoring network has started operation and a Regional Air Quality Index has been reported to the public on a daily basis since 30 November 2005.
To conduct technical exchanges with Guangdong authorities The two governments have conducted technical exchanges on real-time ambient monitoring, continuous source emission monitoring and emissions inventory.
To prepare an annual report on the implementation progress of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan by end 2005 The 2005 Annual Report on the Pearl River Delta Air Quality Management Plan was approved by the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection in December 2005.
  1. Explore with Guangdong authorities the introduction of emissions trading and other measures to improve air quality.
  1. To work with the Guangdong authorities on the details of the emissions trading pilot scheme.
 Measured in terms of progress and achievement of target. In progress.
VIII - Effective Enforcement and Emergency Response
  1. Monitor dumping operations by remote and instant means to better protect the marine environment from short-dumping of dredged sediments.
  1. To set up a real time monitoring control room in the EPD to enhance control of dumping at sea activities by barges, under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance.
 Measured in terms of readiness of an EPD Control Centre to function. Set-up of Control Centre in EPD completed.
  1. Apply mobile computing solution in all enforcement activities to improve data manipulation and communication efficiency.
  1. To implement in phases a mobile computing solution for field enforcement activities.
 Measured in terms of level of implementation The development phase of the system was completed in 2005. A trial run is in progress.
  1. Provide a common integrated electronic platform for quality management of enforcement information and for facilitating data sharing and modelling use.
  1. To continue the development of an integrated data / information management solution for streamlining multimedia enforcement workflow and data management.
 Measured in terms of percentage completion of the project. Progress in 2005 was satisfactory. About 60% of the project was completed. The procurement of necessary hardware was nearly completed. The whole project is expected to be completed by early 2007.¡@¡@
IX - Building Partnerships and Customer Service
  1. Protect the Pearl River for sustainable development of the region.
  1. To participate in the compilation of a water pollution prevention plan for the Pearl River catchment as part of the Pan-PRD Regional Environmental Protection Co-operation.
 Measured in terms of EPD's participation and contribution. EPD has been briefed on the plan which involves pollution prevention planning by Guangdong province in upstream catchments. Given the upstream focus our involvement is necessarily limited, we will replace this target with a long-term target to develop a regional water quality management plan for the Pearl River Estuary.
  1. Promote environmental compliance by introducing new control technologies and good management practices, and provide a dedicated advisory service to the trades.
  1. To identify and promote wider application of environmentally friendly technologies and materials.
 Measured in terms of number of activities organised. 38 activities were organised for both trade stakeholders and our staff to build up trade-specific knowledge related to new technologies, compliance issues and good environmental practices.
  1. To set up a Help Desk telephone hotline service for the trades under the partnership programmes, which will provide a one-stop source of information to the business community, give advice on environmental legislation and standards, and provide practical reference guides on complying with the requirements.
 Measured in terms of success in establishing Help Desk. The Help Desk was set up in February 2005.
X - Environmental Awareness and Education
  1. Promote Government initiatives on environmental protection.
  1. To encourage public participation in waste reduction and recycling.
 Measured in terms of promotion activities.
  • As at the end of 2005, 223 housing estates/buildings have signed up the Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste.
  • TV and radio Announcements of Public Interest (APIs) were launched on source separation of domestic waste.
  • A Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling Day and 'Zero Waste' walk were organised for the Environmental Protection Festival (EPF) 2005.
  • Seven Non Government Organisations (NGOs)/Green Groups/Community Groups and six District Councils were enlisted to organise public education activities under EPF 2005 to promote waste reduction.
  • 10 one-minute television programmes and a 30-minute programme were broadcast on TVB Jade to promote waste reduction.
  1. To enhance public awareness of energy conservation.
 Measured in terms of promotion activities.
  • The Environmental Campaign Committee launched a territory-wide campaign on World Environment Day (WED) 2005 to urge the public to set air-conditioning temperatures at 25.5 degrees Celsius.
  • Six NGOs/Green Groups/Community Groups and one District Council were enlisted to organise public education activities under WED 2005 to promote energy conservation.
  • A TV API on energy conservation was launched.
  1. Reach out to the community and bring the latest environmental information to the public.
  1. To arrange the Mobile Environmental Resource Centre (ERC) to visit local communities.
 Measured in terms of number of visits conducted. 111 visits were conducted by the Mobile ERC.
  1. To set up Green Desks in local communities to promote environmental messages.
Measured in terms of number of Green Desks set up. 118 Green Desks were set up in housing estates.
  1. To promote environmental messages through the ERCs.
 Measured in terms of number of visitors to the ERCs. The ERCs at Fanling, Wanchai, Tsuen Wan and Mobile ERC received some 100 000 visitors.
  1. Build the capacity of stakeholders for achieving long-term environmental goals.
  1. To provide environmental training for target groups.
 Measured in terms of number of training sessions organised.
  • 15 447 students joined the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme and 46 workshops were organised for them.
  • 23 environmental workshops were organised for school administrators and teachers.
  • 18 training programmes were organised for Environmental Protection Ambassadors for Property Management.
  • 78 workshops were organised for the Civil Service.
  1. To promote environmental management in schools and the business sector.
 Measured in terms of number of participating schools and organisations.
  • 147 primary and secondary schools participated in the Hong Kong Green School Award. Another 135 pre-schools participated in the Hong Kong Green Pre-School Award.
  • 144 organisations competed for the 2005 Eco-Business Awards.
XI - Corporate Environmental Management
  1. Pursue continual improvement in the environmental performance of our internal operations by implementing an effective management system.
  1. To continue to monitor the potentially significant environmental aspects of EPD's internal activities.
 Measured in terms of monitoring by the Departmental Environment, Safety and Health Committee (DESHC). Monitoring kept up. Progress in paper and energy savings reported in the environmental performance report.
  1. To continue paper saving initiatives to meet the 2.5% reduction target.
Measured in terms of consumption of photocopying paper. The consumption of photocopy paper in 2005 dropped by 2.6% as compared with 2004.
  1. To continue energy saving measures in conjunction with the energy audit.
 Measured in terms of power consumption in offices. Power consumption decreased by about 1.8% as compared with 2004.
XII - Minimising the Impacts of Our Operations
  1. Ensure treatment and disposal of wastes at our facilities are managed in the most environmentally acceptable manner.
  1. To continue close supervision of our waste facilities contractors, aiming at full compliance with both legal and contractual environmental requirements.
 Measured in terms of compliance rate.
Landfills and Refuse Transfer Stations
(1) Full compliance with legal requirements.
(2) 21 550 environmental monitoring measurements were carried out, of which
21 447 measurements complied with contractual requirements.

XIII - Greener Office
  1. Demonstrate efficiency and commitment to environmental conservation by reducing expenditure and resources consumption.
  1. To keep up the paper ordering plan and monitor the use of paper vis-à-vis the reduction targets.
 Measured in terms of developing a group paper order plan to set quotas on the consumption of each group. All groups adhered to the quota, resulting in a 2.6 % reduction.
  1. To continue audits in offices to look for energy saving opportunities.
 Measured in terms of successful completion of energy audits in offices.
  • Appointed Energy Wardens to remind staff of housekeeping measures for saving energy.
  • Energy audits were conducted in EPD offices to identify areas for saving energy.
  1. To continue Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Certification work and arrange renewal as necessary.
Measured in terms of number of IAQ certificates obtained or renewed. The EPD had 10 premises certified as meeting the IAQ requirement.
XIV - Staff Awareness, Training and Participation
  1. Promote staff environmental awareness and encourage participation.
  1. To arrange training sessions / seminars and awareness campaigns for staff.
Measured in terms of training sessions and activities organised.
  • Provided interesting tips to staff on environment, safety and health issues through the daily internal bulletin system.
  • Organised field trips to enhance staff environmental awareness.