[Vision, Our Common Purpose & Our Values] [Foreword] [Operations] [Regional Commanders' Report]
[Personnel and Training] [Management Services]
[Finance, Administration and Planning] [Environmental Report] [Organisation] [Annex, Crime Charts & Appendix]
Environmental Report
Raising Force-wide Awareness
Our mission is to enhance Force members' environmental awareness through education and publicity, and to encourage their participation in conserving the environment; to work with relevant organisations to promote environmental management in the Force; to develop and maintain a management system to improve the environmental quality of its activities; and to comply with relevant legislation and codes of practice.
Commitment and Management
The Steering Committee on Green Management, which is chaired by the Director of Finance, Administration and Planning, comprises both civilian and disciplined representatives from various major formations at a senior level, and serves as the focal point for directing energy and environmental management issues. The Steering Committee closely monitors the consumption of paper, envelope, electricity, gas, fuel and waste paper collection. There are also six Regional Green Management Committees, and a three-tier green manager structure to strengthen green efforts in the Force.
Waste Minimisation
The Force continued to sustain efforts to minimise paper consumption. Measures such as communication by e-mail, printing both sides of paper and reusing of envelopes have become common practices of staff at all levels. Reference materials and information were disseminated by e-mail and e-bulletin boards in place of hard copies. Formations also reviewed the distribution list of documents to eliminate unnecessary distribution copies, and replaced paper-based returns by e-mails whenever possible. The adoption of 'Paperless Conference' at both Headquarters and regional levels was also encouraged.
Staff members were requested to use the E-phone Message function in the Lotus Notes platform instead of writing the messages on paper. Likewise, they were asked to print less paper through manipulating the layout of printouts for record-keeping purposes. In terms of product procurement, green products like re-cycled ink/toner cartridges and environmentally-friendly, rechargeable batteries were purchased.
Energy Conservation
Energy saving stickers were displayed at conspicuous places within the Force to enhance staff awareness of energy conservation. Unnecessary energy consumption was cut as far as possible by a series of housekeeping measures, such as reducing water temperature for gas boilers, shortening the operational hours of lifts, and routine checking to switch off lights/air conditioners outside office hours.
For Police land transport, green driving practices were widely promoted and addressed in all driving training programmes. Two environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles were put in use on a trial basis in the Force in order to assess the feasibility of using them as replacement for all small patrol cars. Energy saving measures to reduce fuel consumption were similarly taken for the Marine fleet. Operational directives on the use of maximum speeds and maintaining vessels at minimum cruising speeds with minimum number of engines in use were issued and practised.
Environmental Awareness Among Staff
To promote environmental awareness among staff, the Force publicised useful tips on green management in internal publications and via the intranet. Suggestion boxes were placed to encourage green ideas from the staff. In addition, an electronic green corner was set up on the intranet in May to provide a platform for fast and easy dissemination of updated information on green management issues, including useful green tips to promote green culture. Green management concepts were incorporated into Police training programmes and activities. Officers were regularly briefed on green management issues during training days. The Hong Kong Police College launched an initiative to introduce an environmental consciousness component into basic driving instruction.
Recycling and Other Initiatives
During the year, in addition to energy saving housekeeping practices, the Force engaged the service of two contractors arranged by the Government Logistics Department for collecting paper wastes. Waste separation bins of three different colours for collection of waste papers, aluminium cans and plastic bottles were widely placed in Police premises. An aluminium can and plastic bottle crushing machine was also installed at the Police College to encourage an environmentally responsible culture among staff and trainees.
Arsenal House, the new Police Headquarters building, was fully occupied by the end of October 2004. The final assessment of the energy performance of the new building from April 2005 to March 2006 was issued in late 2006. As compared to the previous year, the annual electricity demand of Arsenal House was cut by nearly 15% in 2005-06, corresponding to a cost saving of $5.3 million.
Achievements and the Future
The Force works closely with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to identify energy saving opportunities. EMSD has completed energy audits on 20 Police premises, and the resultant Energy Management Opportunities were either implemented during the year or are being actively pursued. As a long-term engineering service partner of the Force, EMSD is prepared to explore new effective energy-saving products that can be applied to Force equipment.
The Force is also supportive of green events organised by other departments or organisations. The Information Systems Wing again joined the Collection of Tin Mooncake Boxes Campaign organised by the Friends of the Earth in 2006. The Police Adventure Club fielded two teams in the 13th Green Power Hike in February and took the 50km Disciplinary Force Category title. The teams raised $10,000 to support environmental education in Hong Kong.
The Chief Executive launched a massive publicity campaign, Action Blue Sky, in July to combat air pollution. To show the Force's support for this campaign, views and suggestions were solicited from Force members, via the Police Staff Suggestions Scheme, on how to reduce activities that cause air pollution. The Force's policies on marine usage of fuel and idling police vehicles were revisited, and the dispatch service was further rationalised.
The Force will continue to maintain the momentum of its efforts to save energy and to create a greener working environment. The effectiveness of the adopted energy saving measures will be closely monitored.
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