(A)Promoting greening and horticulture

3.1In promoting greening and horticulture, we have four areas of work. They are :

• upgrading of existing landscape areas;

• massive planting programme;

• education & promotion on environmental protection; and

• greening activities.

3.2 (I) Up-grading of Existing Landscape Areas

Performance Analysis in 2007

• The Department's actual performance generally followed the target of 2007 through the combined effort of district staff and regional landscape teams, and placing more resources and effort on improving the environment.

Performance Targets in 2008

The Department's targets in 2008 are:

• 43 hectares of landscape areas will be upgraded;

• 43 prominent roadside amenity areas and 9 vacant government sites with the total area of about 2.7 hectares will be identified for landscape improvement; and

• 13 pedestrian footbridges in various districts will be beautified with portable planters.

3.3 (II) Massive Planting Programme

Performance Analysis in 2007

• The problem of sourcing large flowering trees was overcome by service contracts that covered the supply of plants and provision of manpower for planting large trees.

Performance Targets in 2008

The Department's targets in 2008 are:

• to plant trees, shrubs and annuals up to 3.35 million; and

• to emphasize planting of flowering trees with a view to enhancing the visual impact with more seasonal colours.

3.4 (III) Education & Promotion on Environmental Protection

(a) Horticulture Courses for the General Public

Performance Analysis in 2007

The courses were well-received by the participants. More horticulture courses would be organized in 2008.

Performance Targets in 2008

We plan to conduct 35 horticulture courses for 1050 participants from the general public for the year 2008. Details of the courses are publicized in the “Community Recreation and Sports Programme” booklet and the Department’s webpage.

(b) School Guided Visits

Performance Analysis in 2007

School children were guided around Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Kowloon Park, Hong Kong Park, Tai Po Waterfront Park, Lower Shouson Hill Nursery and Tung Tze Nursery. The content of the talk delivered during the guided visit was designed to relate to the syllabus of environmental education for primary schools, including the profile of plants and animals.

Performance Targets in 2008

We plan to conduct 620 visits for 21 000 primary school students in the year 2008. Programme details will be uploaded onto the webpage of the Department and hyper-linked to the webpage of Education Bureau.

(c) Outdoor Education Activity for Kindergarten

Performance Analysis in 2007

Children from kindergartens were arranged to join guided tours around Kowloon Park and Hong Kong Park. Basic knowledge of plants was introduced. Children were also taught the manner and courtesy for visiting parks and the concept of environmental conservation.

Performance Targets in 2008

We plan to conduct 50 visits for some 1 600 participants in the year 2008.

(d) Conservation Courses for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides

Performance Analysis in 2007

The programmes provided a wide range of courses in gardening and arboriculture for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. They aimed at promoting the concept of nature conservation. Participants were involved in group discussions, lectures, guided visits and practical services. They learnt not only about plants and gardening but also problem-solving techniques.

Performance Targets in 2008

We will conduct 20 conservation courses for some 500 Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in the year 2008.

(e) Seminar and Gallery on Environmental Protection

Performance Analysis in 2007

The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology organized a symposium on environmental issues for secondary schools in association with the Hong Kong Science Museum on 2 June 2007. The objectives were to promote students’ interest in and understanding of the environmental issues in Hong Kong, as well as to increase their environmental awareness through investigation projects. 150 students and teachers participated in the symposium.

In September 2007, the Hong Kong Science Museum organized a series of five lectures on climate change with the Hong Kong Meteorological Society and Hong Kong Observatory, and a special lecture on global warming and impacts on polar region. About 1650 audiences participated in the lectures.

In December 2007, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong Science Museum jointly organized the ‘Engineering a Green Future’ exhibition to promote the concepts of sustainable development and introduce examples of green engineering technology applications to members of the public.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust approved a grant of $15 million in April 2004 for setting up the Jockey Club Environmental Conservation Gallery in the Hong Kong Science Museum. The Gallery, aiming at communicating the importance of environmental conservation to the community at large and to advocate an environmental friendly lifestyle, will be opened in 2009.

The Hong Kong Space Museum, in collaboration with the Physics Department of the University of Hong Kong has conducted the first territory-wide survey on light pollution. Funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund, the project aimed at arousing public awareness of the detrimental effects of light pollution on dark skies (such as hampering astronomical observations and doing harm to nocturnal wildlife and ecosystems), and the values of quality outdoor lighting for humans.

Performance Targets in 2008

The Science Museum will continue to organize symposium/seminars on environmental issues for schools and to proceed with fabrication of the Jockey Club Environmental Conservation Gallery targeted for completion in 2009.

The Light Pollution Survey commenced in 2007 will continue well into 2008 and findings of the survey will be announced via related websites.

3.5 (IV) Greening Activities

Performance Analysis in 2007

Over 2 860 greening activities were organised, which exceeded the performance target of 2 780 for the year of 2007.

(a) Hong Kong Flower Show

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2007 was held from 16 to 25 March at Victoria Park attracting about 520 000 visitors. The Show aimed at promoting public interest in horticulture and arousing an awareness of the conservation of natural environment. Over 185 local and overseas horticultural organisations participated in the Show. A special display of Wollemi Pine was well-received by the visitors. Other major attractions included colourful garden displays and flower arrangements staged by horticultural organisations, plant nurseries and flower clubs; beautiful plant exhibits; and floral art arrangements entered for competition by individuals and schools. A wide range of educational activities, musical performances and entertainment programmes were also provided for the enjoyment of visitors.

(b) Community Planting Day

To promote public awareness in greening, the Department organised 27 Community Planting Days in 2007. A total of 12 150 participants planted 75 620 trees and shrubs in 18 Districts. The performance target of 26 Community Planting Day was met.

(c) Green Volunteer Scheme

Under this Scheme, Green Volunteers were recruited in 18 Districts to undertake simple horticultural maintenance tasks in parks and gardens, and serve as stewards in greening promotion activities. They were encouraged to participate in greening their own neighbourhood. A total of 360 voluntary greening activities with a total of 4 700 sessions of services were provided by the volunteers in 2007.

(d) Greening School Subsidy Scheme

The Scheme was launched for schools and kindergartens to implement planting projects in their campuses with technical advice from horticultural instructors, and to organise greening activities. It aimed at fostering green consciousness among students. This Scheme was very popular and had attracted the participation of 779 schools and kindergartens in 2007.

(e) "One Person, One Flower" Scheme

The Scheme aimed at enhancing the knowledge of students about plants and cultivate their interests in growing them. In 2007, 350 000 seedlings were distributed for students to nurture at home or in school.

(f) Greening Hong Kong Activities Subsidy Scheme

The Scheme aimed at encouraging more greening activities organised by the local community. Eight organisations were subsidised under this Scheme in 2007 to organise greening activities. The original performance target was to subsidise seven organisations.

(g) Greening Exhibitions and Talk

Greening exhibitions and talks on horticulture were organized at the Green Education and Resource Centre at Kowloon Park in 2007 with a view to educating and arousing public's awareness in greening. A total of 446 exhibitions and talks with over 38 000 participants were organized.

(h) Community Garden Programme

To encourage the public to participate actively in greening activities at the neighbourhood level and adopt greening activities as part of daily life, 41 gardening courses were organised with 7 800 participants.

(i) Outreaching Greening Promotional Activities

To promote greening and enhance public awareness in greening and environmental protection, 148 outreaching greening activities were delivered to organizations and schools for 18 000 participants in 2007.

Performance Targets in 2008

The Department will continue to promote a green culture in the community through a series of educational and community involvement programmes. We target to organise 2 810 greening activities with 1 279 000 participants in 2008. Our plan is as follows –

(a) Hong Kong Flower Show

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2008 will be held from 14 to 24 March 2008 in Victoria Park and about 520 000 visitors are expected.

(b) Community Planting Days

A total of 26 Community Planting Days with 12 000 participants will be organised in 2008.

(c) Green Volunteer Scheme

Members of the public will be recruited as Green Volunteers in 18 Districts to perform simple garden maintenance in LCSD parks and playground, and to serve as stewards in greening activities organised by LCSD. A total of 360 voluntary greening activities with 4 700 sessions of voluntary services will be provided by volunteers in 2008.

(d) Greening School Subsidy Scheme

The Department aims at inviting 770 schools to participate in this Scheme in 2008.

(e) "One Person, One Flower" Scheme

The Department targets to distribute 350 000 seedlings to students in 2008.

(f) Greening Hong Kong Activities Subsidies Scheme

Eight applications for subsidy to hold greening activities are expected from local organisations in 2008.

(g) Greening Exhibitions and talks

Greening exhibitions and Talks on horticulture will be organized at Green Education and Resource Centre in 2008 with a view to educating and arousing public awareness in greening.

(h) Community Garden Programme

40 gardening courses under the programme with 7 000 participants will be organised in 2008.

(i) Outreaching Greening Promotional Activities

To promote greening and enhance public awareness in greening and environmental protection, the Department’s target is to organise 151 outreaching greening activities in 2008.

(j) Best Landscape Award

The Award will be launched in 2008. It aims at sustaining the betterment of living environment in private property and promoting excellence in greening of public project by outstanding landscape design and horticultural maintenance.

(B) Preserving Assets of Our Heritage

3.6The Department, through its Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO), is committed to preserving Hong Kong's cultural heritage. Under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) advises the Secretary for Development, the Authority, on matters relating to antiquities and monuments. The AMO works closely with AAB and acts as the Authority’s executive arm under the Ordinance.

3.7In addition, the AMO plays an important role in monitoring Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects insofar as their impact on antiquities and monuments is concerned. The work involves inspecting cultural heritage sites, examining mitigation measures to remedy any possible damage to the sites and conducting, where necessary, rescue excavations at archaeological sites and cartographic recording of historical buildings.

3.8 The AMO also organizes educational programmes to promote heritage preservation among the public.

Performance Target in 2007

3.9 The targets set for 2007 were -

• to declare 1 monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance;

• to restore and maintain 60 historical buildings;

• to organize 566 heritage educational programmes; and

• to publish 12 publications.

3.10 It is the Department’s conviction that cultural heritage is very much part of our physical as well as cultural environment. Not only does it enhance our built environment and the natural landscape, it also provides an essential, finite and irreplaceable link between the past, the present and the future. It forms the basic points of reference for our cultural identity and traditions.

Actual Performance in 2007

3.11In 2007, the AMO carried out restoration and repair work on a number of historical buildings, including the Tang Ancestral Hall and Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall along the Ping Shan Heritage Trail, Yeung Hau Temple in Ha Tsuen, Man Lun Fung Ancestral Hall and Tai Fu Tai in San Tin, Man Mo Temple in Tai Po and Cheung Shan Kwu Tsz in Ping Che. In preparation for the full restoration of Chik Kwai Study Hall in Pat Heung to be carried out in 2008, a conservation study and a cartographic survey of the study hall were conducted.

3.12 Archaeological investigations at the former Mountain Lodge and Central School were conducted to decipher the foundation conditions of both demolished buildings. Necessitated by a road extension project, rescue excavation was conducted at Cheung Shue Tan, Tai Po. Artefacts dating back to the prehistoric period and environmental samples were recovered to illustrate the cultural and natural changes at the eastern coast of the New Territories. Similar operations were carried out at Sai Kung, Tuen Mun, Cheung Chau and Sha Tau Kok to prevent the underground archaeological remains there from being damaged during the development of village houses at those sites.

3.13 The revitalization of the former Whitfield Barracks at Kowloon Park as the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre won the ‘2007 UNESCO Heritage Awards Jury Commendation for Innovation’. Some of the facilities of the centre, opened in October 2005, included the exhibition gallery, reference library and lecture hall. Converted from the Old Ping Shan Police Station, a Grade III historic building, the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre has been opened since April 2007.

3.14 Two international conferences, namely the ‘Evolution and Rehabilitation of the Asian Shophouse’ jointly organised with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UNESCO ICCROM-Asian Academy for Heritage Management and Lord Wilson Heritage Trust; and the ‘Heritage Conservation and Prehistoric Archaeology of South China’ jointly organized with the Chinese University of Hong Kong were held in the year.

3.15 Two electronic database systems are being developed to store heritage information. 'Virtual Heritage Explorer' Project launched in July 2007 has provided a panoramic view of 60 historic buildings and sites across Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Traditional Chinese Architectural Information System, which will maintain a database of about 200 traditional Chinese villages and buildings in Hong Kong, will be launched in 2008.

3.16The AMO carried out 63 restoration/maintenance projects for historic buildings. We declared the Chik Kwai Study Hall in Pat Heung, Yuen Long and the Tang Ancestral Hall in Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long as monuments under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. We also conducted 695 heritage educational programmes and produced 14 publications.

Performance Targets in 2008

3.17 The performance targets in preserving assets of heritage for 2008 are -

3.18 To achieve these targets, the Department, under the guidance of AAB, will continue to work closely with the bureaux and departments concerned, including the Development Bureau; Education Bureau; Home Affairs Department; Architectural Services Department; Environmental Protection Department; and Planning Department; as well as Hong Kong Tourism Board, private developers and land owners.

(C) Providing Aesthetically Pleasing Open Space

3.19We achieve our objective through :

(I) Land use zoning and acquisition of land for open space development-

• We take an active role in negotiating with the Planning Department and Lands Department to acquire more quality and genuine open spaces at good locations with easy accessibility for recreational development.

• Special care has been and will continue to be taken to avoid taking over land which has either low potential for open space development or has excessive site constraints such as steep slopes, drainage reserves, road reserves and polluted sites for recreational use.

• As part of the Government’s greening efforts, we have been working with Civil Engineering Development Department to provide simple landscaping to vacant government land in prominent/strategic position with no imminent/known development programme in the near future.

(II) Design of Aesthetically Pleasing Open Space

• We ensure that soft landscape areas are maximised in passive recreation areas. In general, 85% of the site will be used as landscape area.

• Conspicuous flowering and shade trees, colour foliage and flowering shrubs of hardy species will be chosen to create colour contrast and seasonal changes.

• Through careful design, selection of heavy standard trees and increase of planting density, instant greening for new projects will be achieved.

• When planning new open space projects, the facility will be designed and constructed with consideration to its environmental performance such as application of energy saving building services installation and use of environmental friendly materials (e.g. recycled plastic seating benches, refuse bins, etc). Wooden materials from regenerated forests will be used.

Actual Performance in 2007

3.20 In 2007, 11 open space projects (including capital works projects, minor works projects and sponsored projects) were completed, resulting in an increase of about 6.27 hectares of open space in Hong Kong.

Performance Target in 2008

3.21In 2008, 27 open space projects are anticipated to be completed, which will provide an additional 26.37 hectares of open space. A list of these projects is shown at Annex II. Apart from new open space projects, there are on-going improvement and upgrading works to existing parks and playgrounds.

(D) Practising Waste Reduction and Energy Savings

3.22 We proactively explore ways to promote waste reduction and energy savings, including conducting energy audits to identify good energy management practices.

3.23 Measures/housekeeping practices adopted in pursuing waste reduction and in saving energy and natural resources are shown below.

(I) On paper saving

3.24 Good practices for economy in the use of paper are set out in Administrative Circular No. 8/2000 and Circular Memorandum 2/2005, which are re-circulated to staff periodically as a reminder. We promoted ‘reduce and reuse’ for saving paper. We met the target for shifting 50% of the total paper consumption from wood free paper to recycled paper. We also made the following endeavors in 2007 -

(II) On energy saving

3.25 We managed our resources responsibly with a view to preserving natural resources. We were mindful of our environmental objectives when planning new facilities and maintaining existing facilities. Energy-saving building services installations and environmentally friendly materials were considered. With these efforts, we had been able to reduce electricity consumption and despite commissioning of new facilities (the number of major facilities/venues of the department has increased by 4 from 1,898 in 2006 to 1,902 in 2007), reopening of some facilities after their closure for renovation works, installation of additional equipment, the total electricity consumption of the department increased by 1.03% only in 2007/08 when compared with 2006/07. The electricity consumption of the department in 2007 was 372,301,937 kWh. The corresponding indirect emission was 711,097 kg of sulphur dioxide (SO2), 431,870 kg of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 22,338 kg of respirable suspended particulates (RSP)¹. The energy efficiency measures we implemented in 2007 were -

1.The indirect emission from electricity consumption is calculated according to the formulae set out in the Guide to Clean Air Charter Report Writing published by EPD in Jan 2008.

(III) Other Green Measures

3.26Other green measures adopted were listed below:

(IV) Clean Air Charter

3.27 On 27 November 2006, the Chief Executive signed the Clean Air Charter on behalf of the Government at the “Business for Clean Air” seminar organized by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. The Charter was initiated by the business sector in support of the Government’s appeal to improve air quality in Hong Kong.

3.28 We have a fleet of 154 vehicles. The total mileage was 2,127,293 km in 2007 and the fuel consumption was 432,017 litres. The related emission was about 11,071 kg of NOx and 898 kg of RSP². In support of the campaign to improve air quality in Hong Kong, we implemented the following measures -

2.The indirect emission from electricity consumption is calculated according to the formulae set out in the Guide to Clean Air Charter Report Writing published by EPD in Jan 2008.

(E) Minimising Air and Noise Pollution in Organizing Leisure and Cultural Activities

3.29We monitored closely the generator and machinery installed for activities to ensure that dark smoke emission would not breach the prescribed requirement in the relevant Regulations.

3.30 We monitored the noise level of outdoor events and ensure they were within the limits set in the relevant Regulations.

3.31 We advised the hirers of the Hong Kong Stadium to closely observe the statutory noise level limits under the Noise Control Ordinance for organizing outdoor activities at the Stadium and to take effective mitigation measures to minimize noise disturbance to the nearby residents.

3.32Further, the department implemented smoking ban at all statutory no smoking areas.