The awards competition was launched by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department in 2003 to encourage all government bureaux and departments to practise energy efficiency and conservation, to recognise their efforts in energy saving and conservation, and to set a good example for the community.

The competition consisted of three kinds of awards: "Star Saver Awards", "Venue Saver Awards" and "Energy Efficiency and Conservation Best Practice Awards". The Force as a whole has entered the third category, while 10 Formations have participated in the "Venue Saver Awards". They are Kowloon West Regional Headquarters, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom, Kowloon City and Mongkok police stations, Marine's Harbour and East divisions, Police Tactical Unit (PTU) and PTU "A" Coy (SLYOB).

The triumphant success was the result of the concerted efforts made by the Formations to promote and implement energy saving practices. The support from the senior management and a well-established structure to formulate direction and targets were undoubtedly vital factors for the accomplishment.

During the competition period between October 2003 and September 2004, Formations joined hands to explore possible ways to use less electricity. The results were remarkable, in particular Training Wing, the Auxiliary Support Bureau and PTU had achieved a reduction of 18 per cent in electricity consumption, and the busy regions, such as Kowloon West, also recorded significant savings.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony for the awards competition on December 13, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang cited leadership and organisation, implementation of energy-saving and efficiency programmes, actual achievement in energy saving, and sustainability of energy-saving measures as the common factors contributing to the success of the winning departments.

"The winning departments have pragmatic arrangements to ensure that the programmes and best practices produce sustained and long-term energy savings. They also ensure that the effort is not one-off, but part of the department's culture and standard operation procedures in the future," Mr Tsang noted.

The award is in recognition of the Force for the sustained efforts by its members to build a more environmentally friendly office.

As the largest government department, the Force will continue to pursue new green initiatives for promoting environmental conservation within the department.

Force representatives at the prize presentation ceremony