Chapter 3 - Environmental Management and Performance

 

 

(A) Providing Aesthetically Pleasing Open Space and Promoting Greening and Horticulture

3.1

In providing aesthetically pleasing open space and promoting greening and horticulture, we have five areas of work. They are – Provision of open spaces that are aesthetically pleasing; Beautification of existing landscaped areas; Planting programme; Education and promotion on environmental protection; and Greening activities.

(I) Provision of Open Spaces that are Aesthetically Pleasing

3.2	In 2023, eight new open space facilities (including capital works projects and minor works projects) were opened, resulting in an increase of about 13.768 hectares of open space in Hong Kong. A list of these new facilities is shown at Annex I.
3.3	Conspicuous flowering and shade trees, colour foliage and flowering shrubs of hardy species will be chosen to create colour contrast and seasonal changes. We aim to achieve sustainable landscaping through selection of more low maintenance and native plant species.
3.4	When planning new open space projects or upgrading existing parks and playgrounds, the facility will be designed and constructed with consideration to environmental performance, such as application of energy-saving building services installations and use of environmental-friendly materials such as products with high recycled content. Appropriate materials should be used for creating a user-friendly and comfortable environment, and to achieve low recurrent maintenance cost. For example, Kai Tak Station Square, which was open to the public in 2023, helps mitigate the heat island effect at the district level. It acts as a green breathing space for its surrounding high-rises, by maintaining a low site density with natural wind corridors encouraging the flow of natural breezes. Extensive greenery coverage and large water bodies improve the mirco-climate and also create a unique habitat for various creatures. The concept of “sponge city” is also introduced through providing abundant landscaped areas, integrated with the design of rain garden and bioswale, for better management of storm-water. Energy-efficient features and renewable energy technologies including photovoltaic panels and solar powered light fittings contribute to 4.5% of energy reduction.
3.5	Apart from new open space projects, there are on-going improvement and upgrading works to existing parks and playgrounds. The Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre which is under construction in Area 109, Tin Shui Wai will adopt the passive or low-energy environment structures. For example, the insulation and hygroscopic properties of the rooms in the new building designed to provide an environment requiring climate control will be capable of maintaining specified conditions in the event of the failure of the equipment for a minimum of 48 hours.

(II) Beautification of Existing Landscaped Areas

3.6

In 2023, about 24 hectares of existing landscaped areas (including roadside amenity areas) were upgraded through the effort of district staff in carrying out landscape improvement works. We would continue to enhance the landscaping of parks and roadside amenity areas in order to provide a pleasant environment to the public.

(III) Planting Programme

3.7	Around 2.64 million trees, shrubs and annuals were planted in 2023 (breakdown at Annex II). We have continued the planting of flowering species to enhance the visual impact with more seasonal colours.

(IV) Education and Promotion on Environmental Protection

(a)	Horticulture Courses for the General Public
3.8	In 2023, we conducted 62 horticulture courses for 1 780 participants.

(b)

Guided Visits for Schools and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)

3.9

A total of 745 guided visits for 21 158 participants from schools and NGOs were organised in 2023, which included 602 school guided visits for 17 873 school children at the Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Green Education and Resource Centre, Kowloon Park, Hong Kong Park, Tai Po Waterfront Park, Tuen Mun Park and Boundary Street Nursery. The guided visits were designed having regard to the curriculum on environmental education for primary schools. A total of 138 visits were also arranged for 3 163 children from kindergartens to tour around the Kowloon Park and Hong Kong Park. Children were introduced the basic knowledge and concept of plants, environmental conservation and the appropriate manners for visiting parks. Besides, free guided visits were arranged for 122 participants from five NGOs to tour around the Green Education and Resource Centre at the Kowloon Park.

(c)	Conservation Courses for Uniformed Groups
3.10	The programmes provided a wide range of courses in gardening and arboriculture and aimed at promoting nature conservation. A total of 15 conservation courses were organised for some 196 participants of the uniformed groups in 2023. Participants were involved in group discussions, lectures and guided visits.

(d)

Programmes and Exhibitions on Environmental Protection

3.11

To arouse public awareness on environmental issues, the Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum staged exhibitions and organised various programmes, including – two sessions of Popular Science Reading Workshop – one on “Urban Microclimate” that introduced urban ecology through an outdoor eco-tour in April 2023, and another on “Tropical Cyclones and Interesting Weather Observation” that explored meteorology and climate change by having participants created upcycled rain gauges in July 2023; a variety of activities including an exhibition with demonstration on plastic recycling and a lecture on “An Overview of Ocean Plastic Wastes” conducted during the “Kid’s Fun Day at ScM” in July 2023; public lectures on environmental protection, green technology, sustainable development and climate change organised in the “Science in the Public Service” Forum and Lecture Series from August to December 2023; safari game booths on ecological conservation featured in the “After-Dark Safari Party@ScM” in November 2023; opening of a new permanent exhibition, the Palaeontology Gallery since September 2023. With “Extinction·Resilience” as its theme, the gallery depicted the ongoing risk of the sixth mass extinction and called for human efforts to boost wildlife conservation and environmental protection; renovating a corner at the Jockey Club Environmental Conservation Gallery with the theme “Marine Debris”. This new exhibit featured an interactive game that challenged visitors to rescue sea turtles from an ocean filled with plastic waste to inspire visitors to take actions to help mitigate marine pollution and introduce the effects of plastics on marine life; staging the “Material Tales–The Life of Things” special exhibition from May to October 2023 to help the public appreciate the contribution of the earth’s resources to the ascent of humans, to grimly remind them of the disastrous consequences of our ravenous consumption of natural resources, and to share inspiring solutions with the audience for creating a sustainable future together; and the research project “Hong Kong Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Network” on light pollution was conducted by the Hong Kong Space Museum, in collaboration with the Department of Physics of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), between September 2010 and July 2017. Funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund initially, the project aimed at carrying out a comprehensive monitoring of the condition of light pollution in Hong Kong by studying the night sky brightness at about 18 urban and rural locations, including the Hong Kong Space Museum, iObservatory and Astropark. The Hong Kong Space Museum has continued to collaborate with the Department of Physics of HKU via the research project “Globe at Night – Sky Brightness Monitoring Network”, which is the overseas extension of the previous cooperation between the Museum and HKU since July 2017. In addition, the Hong Kong Space Museum spread the message of reducing light pollution during various activities, including School Culture Day, public lectures and observation programmes.

(V) Greening Activities

3.12	The Department continuously promotes a green culture in the community through a series of educational and community involvement programmes. A total of 3 203 greening activities were organised in 2023, including –

(a)

Hong Kong Flower Show

3.13

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2023, was held from 10 to 19 March 2023 at Victoria Park. After a 3-year hiatus, the show returned with the theme “Bliss in Bloom” featuring the Hydrangea as its theme flower, attracting a record high of over 700 000 visitors. The event showcased a rich profusion of exquisite potted plants, beautiful floral arrangements and gorgeous landscape displays that featured both Chinese and Western elements, drawing support from more than 225 organisations, which included 72 exhibitors from ten countries. To enhance public knowledge of and interest in horticulture and to promote a green lifestyle, a wide range of educational and recreational activities were organised for visitors, such as students drawing competition, photo competition, plant exhibition competition, floral art demonstrations, horticultural seminars, workshops on greening activities, guided visits, parent-child fun games, etc.. In addition, a 2-day “Green Recycling Day” was held upon the conclusion of the show, reflecting the Department’s commitment to implementing green measures for environmental protection. More than 350 volunteers assisted in separating and collecting reusable and recyclable materials at the showground. To encourage greening in the community, flowers suitable for replanting and landscape displays that could be reused were relocated to our parks and amenity areas, while some 10 000 potted plants suitable for replanting were given away to schools, environmental groups and NGOs and around 3 000 pots of Hydrangeas were distributed to members of the public.

(b)	Community Planting Day
3.14	To promote public awareness in greening, the Department organised 11 Community Planting Days in 2023. More than 2 400 participants planted over 10 600 trees and shrubs in various districts.

(c)	Green Volunteer Scheme
3.15	Green Volunteers were recruited in 18 districts to serve as stewards in greening promotion activities, and to assist in tree surveillance work and report problematic trees. They were encouraged to participate in greening their neighbourhood. In 2023, 380 greening activities were organised for the Green Volunteers with an attendance of about 5 200.

(d)	Greening School Subsidy Scheme
3.16	In 2023, the Scheme attracted the participation of 891 schools and kindergartens for organising greening activities and implementing planting projects in their campuses with technical advice from horticultural instructors.

(e)	“One Person, One Flower” Scheme
3.17	The Scheme aimed at enhancing the knowledge of students about plants and cultivating their interests in growing them. In 2023, about 380 000 seedlings were distributed to students for them to nurture at home or in schools.

(f)	Greening Hong Kong Activities Subsidy Scheme
3.18	The Scheme aimed at encouraging the local community to organise more greening activities. In 2023, five organisations were subsidised under this Scheme to organise floral exhibitions and horticultural workshops.

(g)	Greening Exhibitions and Talks
3.19	Greening exhibitions and talks on horticulture were organised at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and Green Education and Resource Centre at the Kowloon Park in 2023 with a view to educating and arousing public awareness in greening. A total of 364 exhibitions and talks were organised with some 23 000 participants.

(h)	Community Garden Programme
3.20	To encourage the public to participate actively in greening activities at the neighbourhood level and to adopt greening activities as part of daily life, 71 gardening courses were organised in 2023 with about 13 600 participants.

(i)	Outreaching Greening Promotional Activities
3.21	To promote greening and enhance public awareness in greening and environmental protection, a total of 87 outreaching greening promotional activities including roving exhibition at leisure venues in 18 districts as well as outreaching greening activities to organisations and schools were arranged for about 29 300 participants in 2023.

(B) Preserving Cultural Heritage

3.22

The Department, through the Conservation Office (CO), is committed to preserving all forms of Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. The CO provides conservation support for thematic exhibitions and preservation care and treatment for all collections pertaining to the public museums, Hong Kong Film Archive, Art Promotion Office and Intangible Cultural Heritage Office.

3.23	The CO devises, implements and evaluates conservation programmes for museum artefacts and heritage objects. Over the year, there were 180 objects and collections with various degree of deterioration treated and preserved by the CO’s professional conservators.

3.24

Besides, the CO conducts technical examination and scientific studies on cultural heritage to support conservation work. In 2023, the CO conducted an extensive preservation assessment on the conditions of storage rooms inside museums and off-site stores of all our museums and film archive, with a focus on assessing the suitability of the storage space for keeping museum collection and archive holdings with respect to the environmental risks related to the preservation needs of the cultural heritage objects. The findings provided valuable information in formulating effective measures to ensure the long-term preservation of collections in storage.

3.25

The CO is dedicated to raising the awareness and support for conservation at all levels of the community by organising educational programmes and extension activities. In 2023, the CO supported and organised a variety of education programmes and activities for students and members of the public, such as the School Culture Day Scheme, the Muse Fest HK 2023 as well as Tung Wah Group of Hospitals’ (TWGHs) Student Conservation Ambassador Programme in collaboration with the TWGHs Records and Heritage Office.

3.26

It is firmly believed that cultural heritage not only provides an essential and irreplaceable link between the past, the present and the future, but is also fundamental to the sustainable development of our community as it forms the basic point of reference for our cultural identity, traditions and collective memory.

3.27	To ensure the continuous survival and well-being of cultural heritage, conservation, as well as community’s active engagement, are indispensable.

(C) Fostering Net-zero Electricity Generation

3.28

We progressively adopt renewable energy technologies for electricity consumption with a view to raising the energy‑saving performance. The application of various renewable energy technologies in some venues are as follows – using photovoltaic lighting systems in the Hong Kong Science Museum, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing, Tiu Keng Leng Public Library, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Tuen Mun Town Hall and Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre to promote the energy-saving concept by converting solar energy directly into electricity; installing solar energy lights at different venues, such as Hong Kong Park, Quarry Bay Park, Chai Wan Park, Waterfall Bay Park, Victoria Park, Kowloon Park, Fa Hui Park, Kai Tak Runway Park, Jordan Valley Park, Morse Park, Po Kong Village Road Park, Tung Chung North Park, Cheung Chau Park, Tsing Yi Northeast Park, Tsuen Wan Park, Sha Tin Park, Tai Po Waterfront Park, Po Tsui Park, North District Park, Tuen Mun Riverside Park, Wu Shan Riverside Park, Tin Shui Wai Park, Nam Cheong Park, Kai Tak Avenue Park, Sai Kung Waterfront Park, Cherry Street Park, Yuen Shin Park, On Luk Street Park, Po Hong Park, Po Wing Road Sports Centre, Sha Tau Kok Promenade Sitting-out Area, Sha Tau Kok Children’s Playground, Fanling Hong Lok Park, Sha Tau Kok Recreation Ground, Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club Playground, Tin Sau Road Park, Tin Yip Road Park, Tin Shui Wai Cycling Entry Exit Hub, Jockey Club Tak Wah Park, Kwok Shui Road Park, Shing Mun Valley Park, Ngau Chi Wan Park and Tuen Mun Park to promote the adoption of renewable energy technologies; and installing photovoltaic panels at different venues, such as Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Kai Tak Station Square, Hong Ning Road Park, Kwun Tong Promenade, Yat Ming Road Park, Po Kong Village Road Park, Lion Road Park, and Kai Tak Avenue Park to promote the energy-saving concept by converting solar energy directly into electricity.

(D) Enhancing Energy Saving and Incorporating Green Building Features

3.29

The Government has set a new “Green Energy Target” which seeks to further improve its use of energy by 6% for the period between 2020-21 and 2024-25, using comparable operating conditions in 2018-19 as the baseline. We shall play an active role to achieve the set goal and strive to integrate green features in our buildings/venues and adopt green practices as far as practicable.

(I) Change in Energy Consumption

3.30	The energy consumption of government buildings/venues under the Department in 2018-19 and 2023-24 is tabulated below –
	Energy consumption (million kWh) Energy consumption under comparable operating conditions (million kWh) 2018-19 (baseline) 490.0 Not applicable 2023-24 517.5 (+5.6%) 463.6 (-5.5%)

3.31

The total energy consumption of government buildings/venues under the Department increased by 5.6% in 2023-24 as compared to 2018-19. Under the comparable operating conditions in 2018-19, there was a decrease of 5.5% in energy consumption in 2023-24. We will continue to implement various practicable housekeeping measures and best practices for energy saving.

3.32

The change in energy consumption has factored in significant changes in opening/closure of venues/facilities, addition/reduction of services, addition/removal of plants/equipment, extended/shortened service hours, increased/decreased demand for services, change of chairmanship of Building Management Committee1, etc. for a like-with-like comparison.

1	The energy consumption of a Municipal Services Building is counted towards the Department holding the Building Management Committee chairmanship.

(II) Green Buildings

3.33

At the Headquarters building, the following practicable measures were also implemented – using solar control window films at all windows of the building; using occupancy sensors to control the on/off of the lights; switching off part of the lighting at G/F entrance and lobby area; using timers to control the water flushing of urinals at male toilets; suspending the operation of lighting at the open space car park and outdoor planter boxes; installing carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide sensors to control the speed of ventilation fan at the basement car park; using separate electricity meters at G/F to 17/F to monitor the electricity consumption of individual floors; carrying out surprise checks outside office hours to ensure that any unnecessary equipment was turned off while not in use; replacing the lights at the corridors near the female toilets at 1/F to 17/F with LED lights; upgrading existing fluorescent tubes with LED tubes in office area by phases; upgrading existing lighting system to motion sensors control lighting system in toilets and office areas by phases; and partially suspending some of the lifts during non-peak hours.

3.34

The following housekeeping measures for energy saving were commonly adopted in the Department’s offices and venues (including leisure venues, performance venues, libraries and museums) in 2023 – maintaining the 25.5°C office room temperature target set by the Government for the summer months in general. At places such as museums, libraries, sports centres and performance venues where we could not strictly maintain this temperature due to operational reasons and/or customer service considerations, we worked closely with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to keep the temperature as close to 25.5°C as practicable; switching off air-conditioners in facilities/meeting rooms which have separate air-conditioning control right after use and reducing cooling for premises with central air-conditioning control when occupancy is low (such as on weekends, lunch time or after office hours); using high-efficiency lighting systems (fluorescent tubes with electronic ballasts, motion/occupancy sensors and optical fibres) and energy-efficient lamps such as T5 and LED lighting to achieve energy saving as far as possible. For example, all the T5 lamps in Quarry Bay Public Library and Siu Sai Wan Public Library were replaced by LED lamps respectively in 2023; rationalising the numbers of fluorescent lamps and operating hours of offices/venues lightings as appropriate to reduce electricity consumption; maintaining only those lighting which are essential for safety, security or other specific purposes in areas that are infrequently occupied and switching off the lights for facilities without booking or left idle; suspending external lightings used for decorative, promotional or advertising purposes from 10 pm to 7 am daily except for those decorative lightings that are required to cater for some special festive occasions such as Christmas, New Year and Lunar New Year; separating the lighting/air-conditioning controls in different areas/zones of venues so that the lighting/air-conditioning system could be tuned or switched on as necessary to save energy; save for operational needs and safety/security reasons, switching off external lighting installation of some venues all year round; shortening the operation hours of water features where applicable; and installing speed control/passenger sensors for escalators or reducing their operation time as deemed appropriate.

(III) Energy Efficient Features/Technologies

3.35

Other practicable measures in some venues/facilities that could address their operational characteristics or specific environment for energy saving are as follows – installing photovoltaic tree and arbours at children play area of Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre as demonstration of renewable energy appliances; installing sensors for lighting at different venues, such as Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre and Hong Kong Heritage Museum, to reduce their operation time so as to achieve energy saving and more effective use of lighting; adjusting the timer lighting schedule to fit seasonal need and installing astronomical time switches to the lighting in some parks, playgrounds and performance venues so that the lighting would be switched on/off according to astronomical time of sunset and sunrise to save energy. Besides, remote control devices were installed in some parks to switch on/off park lights by mobile phone during inclement weather; using photocell control in some leisure and performance venues to automatically control the light in response to the intensity of the natural light; turning off the air-conditioning system in the main foyer in the morning or half to one hour before the close of the performance venues when there was no performance/activity in the venues, and adjusting higher air-conditioning temperature; installing solar control films or blinds for windows as appropriate in public libraries to reduce sun heat; switching off some decorative lights, computer monitors and multimedia players at all Multimedia Information System workstations after closure of libraries; installing new glass facades and skylights which are fitted with high-performance low-energy glazing in the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Equipped with the green properties of good insulation, low reflection and high transmittance, internal heat gain is effectively reduced which results in lower electricity consumption for air-conditioning; replacing chiller system with high efficiency type to achieve energy-saving purpose in Yuen Long Theatre; installation of Innovative Solutions for Retro-Commissioning of Air-conditioning System and replacing Air Handling Units (AHU) with high efficiency type to achieve energy-saving purpose in Tuen Mun Town Hall; using LED stage lighting in performing arts venues to reduce power consumption and heat emission; and installing variable speed drive control for the chilled water pumps to save energy in the Hong Kong Film Archive.

(E) Promoting the Use of Green Transport

3.36

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

3.37

As at 31 December 2023, we had a fleet of 152 vehicles. The total mileage was 1 595 477 km and the fuel consumption was 348 637 litres in 2023. The related emissions were about 7 246 kg of nitrogen oxides and 592 kg of respirable suspended particulates.2 The total mileage and fuel consumption increased by 16.1% and 4.8% respectively as compared with the figures recorded in 2022. Such increase was mainly caused by the increase in activities and events upon full resumption of normalcy in Hong Kong after the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding the above special circumstances, we have implemented the following measures in support of the Government’s policy to improve air quality in Hong Kong – plan to replace more conventional retired departmental vehicles with fuel efficient and low emission environmental-friendly ones continuously; and regularly refresh all departmental drivers about eco-driving skills and remind them of good practices in operating the vehicles for reducing emissions.

2	The indirect emissions from vehicle fuel are calculated according to the formulae set out in the Guide to Clean Air Charter Report Writing published by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in January 2008.

3.38	As at 31 December 2023, a total of 446 electric vehicle chargers had been installed in 60 LCSD venues with a view to promoting the use of green transport.

(F) Adopting More Waste Reduction and Recycling

 
(I) Waste Disposal and Recovery

3.39

We have adopted the following waste reduction and other green measures – promulgated on the Department’s document library a list of sales term contracts for waste disposal/recycling to facilitate the sale/recycling of unserviceable items; used reusable office stationery, such as refillable pen shafts and greener clutch pencils, etc.; promoted the use of more green products, such as food waste compost, animal waste composts, and environmental-friendly pesticide for plants, and the recycle use of yard wastes as soil conditioner for planting; recycled yard waste generated from horticultural maintenance works at Animal Waste Composting Plant in Ngau Tam Mei and wood shredding facility in Y Park; reminded colleagues to plant flowering shrubs instead of seasonal flowers for beautification and landscape work so as to reduce yard waste; requested suppliers/manufacturers to provide regulated products that are in compliance with the Volatile Organic Compound limit, including documentary proof in the quotation documents; required suppliers to comply with the relevant statutory requirements and environmental legislation on electrical equipment in execution of the contract and in any subsequent transfer/export/disposal of the trade-in items; incorporated a provision in the cleansing and horticultural maintenance service contracts that contractors shall collect and sort all refuse in an environmental-friendly manner, and remove and dispose of the refuse properly in recyclable polythene bags; reminded colleagues to send invitation in electronic means for organising events/meetings, not to use corsages, reduce name badges to an absolute minimum and avoid using disposable cups and disposable tableware as far as practicable; reminded colleagues to help reduce the use of plastic shopping bags and avoid the distribution of reusable shopping bags (including but not limited to non-woven bags) except on a need basis in publicly funded activities; placed umbrella dryers and umbrella racks at various venues, and ceased to distribute plastic umbrella bags on rainy days in all leisure and cultural venues; promoted “Bring Your Own Bottle” culture in the community and installed 1 796 and 76 water dispensers/fountains in leisure and cultural venues respectively; and reminded colleagues to stop the distribution of plastic bottled water; and conducted annual performance review to monitor the adoption of green measures and waste reduction practices by sections/offices.

(II) Paper Consumption and Saving

3.40

The Department continued to adopt good practices on paper saving using “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” strategy, particularly in replacing paper-based correspondences with electronic means. In 2023, we made the following endeavours – we provided an electronic newspaper clipping service to the Department’s Lotus Notes users to ensure that the number of hard copies is kept at a minimum; we produced e-versions of the departmental yearbook and departmental Christmas cards only; library users were given the options to receive some library notices through e-mail or library mobile app on smart phones to economise on the use of paper. As at 31 December 2023, over 704 000 registered borrowers have opted for the e-mail notification and over 778 000 times of download of library mobile app was recorded. In addition, 547 156 kg of unserviceable library materials were recycled in 2023; museums and Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre and Oil Street Art Space also reduced waste by recycling exhibition materials and placed collection boxes for collecting used guide maps/pamphlets disposed of by patrons after their visits for recycling purpose; performance venues and programming offices used electronic means to publicise performing arts programmes and collect feedback. Admission letters to schools rather than individual URBTIX tickets were issued for student group admission of performances. Printing of flyers and house programmes was reduced by tightly monitoring distribution and minimising the pages printed. In addition, unused copies of flyers and house programmes were recycled and electronic version of publicity materials like posters and house programmes were further adopted as far as possible; most of the performance venues and some museums, such as Hong Kong Science Museum, Hong Kong Space Museum and Sam Tung Uk Museum, etc. also installed digital screens/ electronic monitors to replace conventional foam boards or paper posters for programme promotion; in line with the Government’s initiative of paper saving, the tenders and quotations issued by the Supplies Section were made in electronic format (i.e. by means of CD-rom) and suppliers were encouraged to adopt environmental-friendly measures in the preparation of tender/quotation documents (such as using recycled paper) and to minimise the use of packaging materials. The paper consumption in 2023 was 91 975 reams and about 77% was recycled paper; and to reduce or completely replace the use of papery publicity materials and application forms, a newly created online platform, “Art Connect: Arts and Culture Platform for Hong Kong Schools”, was fully launched in 2021. It mainly serves as a channel for schools’ submission of applications for participating in the performances and activities of the educational schemes co-ordinated by the Audience Building Office. As at 31 December 2023, more than 1 445 schools have registered as users of this online platform.

(III) Separation, Storage and Collection of Recyclables

3.41	Waste separation bins (i.e. 3-coloured, 4-in-1 bins and bottle-shaped bins) were placed at over 790 venues, including leisure and cultural venues and the Headquarters building.

(IV) Food Waste Reduction and Recycling

3.42	We signed the Food Wise Charter under the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign, disseminated information on food waste reduction to catering service contractors operating in our leisure/cultural venues, and displayed posters/publicity materials which promoted the Food Wise Charter.

(V) Water Saving

3.43

The fresh water consumption of government buildings under LCSD in 2023 were 13.0 million cubic meters. Major water conservation measures adopted are listed below – we exercised vigilance in the use of water by regulating outflow of water taps and replacing them with timer-taps in our offices and venues as far as possible. Any leakage of water taps was repaired as soon as possible; and we stepped up site inspections of irrigation systems to prevent water leakage, used spray nozzles for irrigation to reduce water loss from the soil surface, planted drought tolerant species at suitable locations and used less water for water features in major parks.

(G) Implementing Carbon Management

3.44

As part of the Government’s efforts in combating climate change, we conducted annual carbon audits for our major buildings with annual electricity consumption over 500 000 kWh so as to assess the carbon performance and identify room for emissions reduction. The carbon performance summary is available at the Department’s website.

(H) Formulating Other Green Performance/Housekeeping Measures

 
(I) Green Management

3.45

With the coordinated efforts of venue/office management, the Green Manager is responsible for implementing a programme of green housekeeping within the Department, introducing measures to increase staff consciousness and involvement in relation to environmental issues, publicising the commitment to protecting the environment, formulating action plans and recording achievements. To assist the Green Manager in reminding staff to comply with energy-saving housekeeping measures, respective Energy Wardens in all sections/offices are appointed. They are responsible for conducting periodic checks on major energy consumption systems such as air-conditioning and ventilation system, lighting, lifts and escalators, office equipment, as well as computers and servers.

(II) Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

3.46	For improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and providing quality services to the public, we have engaged EMSD to carry out proper maintenance and retrofitting works for the ventilation and air-conditioning systems at our offices and venues.
3.47	In support of the Government’s drive of improving IAQ, we also participated in the IAQ Certification Scheme and engaged accredited IAQ Certificate Issuing Body to carry out regular IAQ inspection for LCSD venues/facilities served by central air-conditioning systems wherever practicable. In 2023, about 234 LCSD venues/facilities had participated in the Scheme.

(III) Green Procurement

3.48

We adopted the green specifications for environment-friendly goods and services as promulgated by EPD in our purchases, subject to considerations of market availability, fair competition and choice. Purchases were made for 86 out of 183 items with green specifications, representing 47% of the total. This accounted for approximately $39 million in environmentally friendly procurement. Major procurement of goods with green specifications included “ink/toner cartridge”, “wooden furniture” and “clothing and textile products” while services included “cleansing services”, “hiring of coaches with 20 or more passenger seats” and “hiring of light goods vehicles”.

(I) Minimising Air and Noise Pollution in Organising Leisure and Cultural Activities

3.49	We monitored closely the generator and machinery installed for activities to ensure that dark smoke emission would not exceed the prescribed requirement as stipulated in the relevant Regulations.
3.50	We monitored the noise level of outdoor events and ensure that they were within the limits set in the relevant Regulations.
3.51	Following the amendments to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) in 2006, statutory no smoking areas have been extended to cover all indoor workplaces and public places as well as some outdoor public places. The Department has implemented the smoking ban in these premises with effect from 1 January 2007.

Environmental Awareness among Staff

3.52

For raising environmental awareness and promoting waste reduction, saving energy and natural resources among staff – we promoted and regularly re-circulated circulars and good practices in paper saving, energy saving, waste avoidance and reduction, and improving air quality to staff and contractors. These circulars and good practices have also been uploaded onto the Department’s document library for staff’s easy reference and retrieval; we issued to staff green tips for offices and attending/organising events and meetings for enhancing their awareness of the green measures; we took part in the lights out campaign of “Earth Hour 2023” organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature on 25 March 2023; and we regularly reminded colleagues to choose energy-efficient products in line with the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance or the Voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme as appropriate. For procurement of the prescribed products (i.e. room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances and compact fluorescent lamps), only those with Grade 1 energy label should be chosen.