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Main Content
REVIEW REPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR-INTRODUCTION
 REVIEW REPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
SECTOR
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE SUPPORT
PROGRAMME
Companies worldwide are facing
increasing pressure to provide their goods and services in an
environmentally responsible manner. The risks of not doing so
include loss of business and market share through damage to company
image, the inability to comply with legislation in local or export
markets, and falling behind customer or buyer requirements. To
effectively control the environmental impacts resulted from the
operation of a company, the introduction of environmental management
is a frequently used tool. Environmental management also brings a
range of potential benefits including cost savings through increased
process efficiency, legal compliance and reduced waste, improved
staff quality, and improved company reputation.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face the same
potential risks and benefits. In 2001 the Environmental Protection
Department (EPD) has completed extensive research into environmental
management system (EMS) adoption by SMEs[1]
to:
[1]Study on
Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in ISO14001 Environmental
Management System (EMS) Implementation, led by the Business
Environment Council
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| 1. |
Identify the market threats and opportunities to
local SMEs resulting from international trends in the adoption of
ISO14001 EMS, and investigate the status of ISO14001 adoption by
SMEs in Hong Kong;
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| 2. |
Prioritise the Major Industry Groups (MIGs) of
local SMEs (in both the service and manufacturing sectors) which are
most at risk or have most to gain from these trends, taking into
account social, economic and environmental factors; and
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| 3. |
Examine the barriers to EMS through detailed case
studies in the priority industries, and hence design a support
programme to help local SMEs in the selected
sectors. |
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The research revealed growing trends in the
introduction of environmental requirements into the supply chain
across many sectors. These included national and international
legislation, and policy and procurement requirements from buyer and
client organizations, both of which would in time exclude suppliers
that did not comply. Despite this, fewer than 20% of local SMEs
recognised the need to or benefits of implementing an EMS, or
perceived any potential opportunity loss from not embracing
ISO14001.
The electrical / electronic sector (from
manufacturing industry) and the construction sector (from the
service industry) were identified as the high priority SME sectors.
This is because collectively they ranked highest in terms of the
number of establishments, contribution to gross domestic product,
size of employment, and environmental problems (energy consumption,
waste generation, complaints and convictions, etc) in Hong Kong.
They also faced the greatest supply chain pressures for
environmental protection.
As a follow-up of these findings, the Business
Environment Council (BEC) was commissioned by the EPD in October
2003 to provide support on Environmental Management Information and
ISO14001 EMS for Hong Kong SMEs in (A) the electrical and electronic
sector and (B) the construction sector.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE SUPPORT PROGRAMME
This
review report forms part of the support programme for Hong Kong SMEs
in the construction sector. A separate review report has also been
produced for SMEs in the electrical and electronic sector (Supply
Chain Pressures for Environmental Management and EMS in the
Electrical and Electronic Sector, August 2004).
The key objectives of the support programme is to
help SMEs in the local construction sector to (i) prepare for future
supply chain pressures towards ISO14001 EMS, (ii) improve their
environmental performance, and (iii) stay competitive in an
increasingly environmentally-conscious business marketplace. The
support is being provided through three elements, all of which are
provided in English and Chinese:
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| 1. |
An update on the supply chain pressures for
environmental management and EMS in the construction sector ("Task
1B", presented in this report);
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Easy to use Generic ISO 14001 EMS Templates, User
Manual and Practical Examples ("Task 2B"), which an SME can use to
develop its own ISO14001 EMS, Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
and Waste Management Plan (WMP); and
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| 3. |
An Environmental Management Information and
ISO14001 EMS Support website for construction sector SMEs ("Task
3B"), from which the Generic ISO 14001 EMS Templates, user manual,
practical examples and contents of this report can be
obtained.
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This Review Report presents the findings from
research into the supply chain pressures for environmental
management and EMS facing Hong Kong SMEs in the construction sector
(Task 1B).
1.3 THE STRUCTURE OF THIS REVIEW
REPORT
The remainder of this Review Report is
structured as follows:
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| Section 2 |
Provides an analysis of current trends
in supply chain pressure for environmental management and EMS in the
local construction sector.
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| Section 3 |
Presents a list of local government
agencies and private corporations that have imposed supply chain
pressure in environmental management and EMS to their suppliers and
contractors in the construction sector, with a detailed description
of their requirements.
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| Section 4 |
Identifies the contact details of
professional and academic institutions in Hong Kong that can offer
tailor-made expert advice and technical assistance to construction
sector SMEs on local environmental requirements, ISO14001 EMS, and
pollution control measures to suit the specific needs of individual
enterprises.
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Information in this report has been gathered through
extensive web-based and literature research, including reviews of
environmental reports produced by public[2] and private sector clients
and contractors, trade publications and Government circulars. Questionnaire
surveys of local construction-related organizations including public
and private sector clients, government departments, and trade associations
have also been undertaken. Information sources are provided throughout
the report and compiled in Appendix A.
[2] The Chief
Executive of the Hong Kong SAR in his 1998 Policy Address required
controlling officers within Government to publish environmental
reports starting from the 1999/2000 financial year.
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