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[Environmental Report] [Organisation] [Annexes, Crime Charts & Appendices] [Information]
Environmental Report
A Greener Future
Our mission is to enhance Force members' environmental awareness through education and publicity, and to encourage their participation in conserving the environment. We collaborate with relevant organisations to promote environmental management in the Force. This includes compliance with the Clean Air Charter, relevant green legislation and codes of practice as appropriate.
Commitment and Management
The Steering Committee on Green Management, chaired by the Director of Finance, Administration and Planning, comprises both civilian and disciplined representatives from major formations. It serves as the focal point for monitoring and addressing energy and environmental management issues including the consumption of paper, envelope, electricity, gas, fuel and waste paper collection. There is a three-tier structure for promoting and monitoring green measures in the Force: green managers at major formation level, assistant green managers at formation level, and green wardens at office level.
Waste Minimisation
The Force continued to reduce paper consumption. A new fax receiving system with a screening function was installed at the Police Headquarters to filter out unwanted fax messages at source and the Force raised the percentage of recycled paper to 33 per cent of the total allocation. Apart from paperless conference, the issue of reference materials through electronic means such as e-mail and e-bulletin boards instead of hard copies was encouraged. Among various other waste minimising measures, staff were requested to use the e-phone message function in the Lotus Notes platform and to purchase green office products such as re-cycled ink/toner cartridges, as well as mercury and cadmium free or rechargeable batteries.
Energy Conservation
Energy-efficient light bulbs and tubes were widely used in the Force. Unnecessary energy consumption was cut by a series of housekeeping measures such as dividing office areas into separate lighting control zones, reducing water temperature for gas boilers, shortening the operation hours of lifts, and routine spot checks on lighting/air conditioners outside office hours. The Force continued to follow Government's directive of setting the ambient office temperature to 25.5°C in summer months. To complement this green initiative, the Force relaxed the dress code for male officers performing indoor office duties in plainclothes. Staff were encouraged to dispense with the wearing of a tie, except when they were required to meet members of the public or participate in formal occasions.
Environmental Awareness Amongst Staff
To promote environmental awareness amongst staff, the Force continued to publicise useful tips on green management in internal publications and through the intranet. Green Corners were set up in Police premises to provide forums for sharing views and good practices on green management. Some formations, such as Mong Kok Police Station and Shek Kip Mei Police Station, set up gardens to beautify the work place and promote the green office and living concept. Green management concepts were also included in Police training programmes and activities. An environmental consciousness component was included in the basic driving instruction course of the Hong Kong Police College.
Recycling Programmes and Other Initiatives
The Force has long adhered to the 3-R principles – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Conspicuously labelled 'recycle green boxes' have been placed in formations to collect waste paper for recycling. Three-coloured waste separation bins for collection of waste papers, aluminium cans and plastic bottles are widely distributed in Police premises. In addition, an aluminium can and plastic bottle crushing machine has been installed at the Hong Kong Police College to instil an environmentally responsible culture amongst staff and trainees. The Force also engaged the services of commercial contractors for collecting empty cartridges, scrap lead and IT consumables.
Energy conservation and environmental friendliness continued to be the core elements in the planning and design of new Police buildings. Several environmentally friendly features were included in the Shenzhen Bay Port Police Base, commissioned in July. The Tuen Mun Junior Police Officers' Married Quarters and the New Central District Headquarters and Central Division will also include a number of green elements such as light and water preservation, and energy efficient architectural design.
Engagement with Stakeholders and Partners
The Force works closely with Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to identify energy saving opportunities. Three Police premises were selected by EMSD for the conduct of energy audits in 2007. The Force was also supportive of green events organised by other Government departments or organisations. The Information Systems Wing participated in the collection of tin mooncake boxes campaign organised by the Friends of the Earth in 2007. The Force also incorporated the subject of Caring for the Environment in its submission to the Caring Company Scheme 2007/08 organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Action Blue Sky Campaign
In support of the Government's Action Blue Sky Campaign, the Force solicited staff members' suggestions to reduce air pollution through the Police Staff Suggestions Scheme. A central despatch team was set up in January to provide central despatch services for all crime investigation teams in Kowloon West Region. As a result, fuel consumption and air pollution were reduced as the number of despatch car journeys for the Region was significantly lowered. With the implementation of the Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) (VOC) Regulation in phases starting from April 1, the Force encouraged all formations to help combat air pollution by using low or no VOC products as far as practicable.
Substantial efforts were also made by the Force to reduce fuel consumption and air emissions. For Police land transport, green practices were addressed in all driving training programmes. Transport personnel attended various eco-driving seminars organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council. Officers were reminded to switch off vehicle engines while waiting on duty and recycled engine oil was recommended for use in all circumstances. Following a successful trial of environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles, the Force prepared to commission 92 new hybrid vehicles in early 2008. In addition, the Force will bring into service large vans with lower emissions and more fuel-efficient engines. Similar green measures were taken to reduce the fuel consumption of the Marine fleet with ultra low sulphur content diesel fuel being used to reduce smoke emissions.
For the future, the Force will continue to follow the 3-R principles in its day-to-day operations while monitoring the effectiveness of its energy saving measures. The Force will also identify new initiatives to further enhance the effectiveness of its green management.
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