Environmental Report
Green Measures for a Green Future
The mission is to enhance Force members' environmental awareness through education and publicity, and to encourage their participation in conserving the environment. The Force collaborates with relevant organisations to promote environmental management. This includes compliance with the Clean Air Charter, relevant green legislation and codes of practice.
The roof garden at Tai Po Divisional Police Station.
Green Management
The Force is committed to conserving the environment through appropriate means. The Steering Committee on Green Management, chaired by the Director of Finance, Administration and Planning, monitors and addresses energy saving and environmental management issues in the Force. These issues include the consumption of paper, envelopes, electricity, water, gas and fuel, and waste paper collection. Due to members' concerted efforts, 2012 saw a decrease in the consumption of envelopes, gas, fuel for Police vehicles and fuel for Marine fleets.
Waste Minimisation
In 2012, the Force continued to make sustained efforts to minimise paper consumption. Measures such as communication by email, issuing and storage of bulky documents and reference materials through electronic means, and printing on both sides of the paper have become common practice at all levels. The adoption of paperless conferences at both headquarters and regional levels was also encouraged.
As far as practical, environmental factors such as energy efficiency and recyclability were taken into account in the procurement of products. The Force purchased green products like rechargeable batteries, mercury and cadmium free dry batteries, and re-cycled ink/toner cartridges. A high proportion of the total amount of paper consumed was made up of wood-free and recycled printing paper. Staff were encouraged to purchase green products as far as possible and where economically rational.
Water Management
The Force follows the Government's Total Water Management Strategy and encourages the use of water saving devices. These include low flow showers/showers with timers, low flow taps with sensors, dual flush cisterns and sensor type urinals in Police premises. Guidelines on Water Conservation have been posted on the Force's e-Green Corner to enhance staff awareness of the efficient use of water.
Energy Conservation
The Force continues to use energy efficient light tubes. T8 fluorescent tubes and 20-watt fluorescent tubes inside Exit signs were replaced by more energy efficient T5 tubes and 5-watt LED bulbs. Low wattage tubes with occupancy sensors were installed at staircases, common corridors and lift lobbies to improve the energy efficiency of lighting installations.
Carbon monoxide detection devices were installed at Arsenal House car parks to assist the operation of the ventilation system. Formations with marked increases in electricity consumption were reminded to take measures to control their electricity usage.
Improving Staff Environmental Awareness
Areas for experience sharing and good practices on green management continued to operate in 19 Green Corners set up in Police premises. These were supported by six e-Green Corners established on the intranet to provide a platform for the dissemination of information on green management matters.
Greening plays a significant role in building an environmentally friendly and quality working environment. Green roof gardens were established in nine Police premises. Green walls were set up on the rooftop of Arsenal House East Wing, and at Police Headquarters Harcourt Garden Staff Entrance and Report Room of the Wong Tai Sin Police Station.
Green management concepts were incorporated in various Police training programmes and activities. Force members were regularly briefed on green management issues during training days to increase their environmental awareness.
Recycling Programmes
Twenty-seven Force premises have now joined the Programme on Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste organised by the Environmental Protection Department. Recycling programmes for waste paper, cans and plastic bottles, glass bottles, CDs/VCDs/DVDs, cartridge and waste cooking oil were introduced.
Green Initiatives in New Police Buildings
Energy conservation and environmental friendliness continued to be a prominent theme in new Police premises. The new Lamma Police Post and the New Generation Report Room of Wong Tai Sin Police Station incorporated green features to provide a touch of freshness to the surroundings.
Opportunities were also taken to introduce environmental friendly elements into new works projects. For example, in the new Yau Ma Tei Divisional project, the building is designed to maximise renewable energy, innovative construction methods and green building materials with a high recycling content.
Engagement with Stakeholders
The Force works in partnership with Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), City University of Hong Kong, Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, and China Light and Power to explore and develop energy-saving initiatives in the Force.
In support of the Force's Strategic Action Plan to encourage Force members to practise social responsibility and contribute to society, the Force continued to promote the Used Clothing Collection Campaign jointly organised with the Salvation Army, and participated in the Onehour- long Lights Out Event – WWF Earth Hour 2012 – organised by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature on March 31.
Indoor Air Quality
The Force participates in the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Certification Scheme and engages EMSD to carry out regular IAQ inspection for Force premises. In 2012, IAQ inspections were conducted in 10 police premises. Central Police District Headquarters and Divisional Police Station was awarded an Excellent Class IAQ Certificate, and seven premises were awarded Good Class IAQ Certificates. Police premises will continue to be selected in the coming years for the conduct of IAQ measurements and related improvement works.
Challenges of Climate Change
The Force participated in the Carbon Audit on Buildings Scheme in support of the Government's efforts to meet the challenges of climate change. To reduce the Force's carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions in Police premises were measured and energy efficiency measures were identified.
Measures continued to be taken to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. All Police driving training programmes incorporated eco-driving principles. More Police vehicles used recycled engine oil and cleaner diesel engine vehicles replaced petrol engine vehicles for patrol duties. Despite the increased utilisation of Police vehicles in 2012, the Force continued to achieve savings in total fuel consumption.
The Marine fleet maintained its ongoing efforts to reduce fuel consumption, and emissions of greenhouse gas and pollutants. Improvements in smoke and pollutant emissions were recorded following the adoption of Euro V unleaded petrol and diesel fuels throughout the fleet. Better fuel efficiency was also achieved through the use of higher power-to-weight ratio diesel engines in the new Medium Patrol Launches.
Central Police District Headquarters and Divisional Police Station is awarded an Excellent Class Indoor Air Quality Certificate.