Page
Foreword 1
Controlling Officer’s Profile of Key Responsibilities 2
Environmental Policy 3
Requirements under the Clean Air Charter 4 (A) Institutional Change: Bureau Green Management 5 (B) Follow-up actions to the Clean Air Charter 6 Key Environmental Performance in 2013 9
(A) Environmental Education 9
(B) In-house Housekeeping Measures 15
Way Forward 27
Contact Us 30
Maintaining an environmentally friendly surrounding is crucial to the development of our future generations. As a standing policy, we are committed to conserving our environment through various means and delivering our services in an environmentally responsible manner. To take this forward, we undertake to promote environmental education in schools, fully comply with environmental legislation, and initiate housekeeping measures to preserve common resources and nurture civic responsibility as well as environmentally responsible attitude among our young generation. In supporting Government policies on environmental protection and sustainable development in Hong Kong, we will keep on pursuing our environmental goals and striving for the continual improvement of our environmental performance.
The objective of this report is to outline our policies and management measures with respect to environmental issues, our performance in 2013 and our direction for the coming year.
We in the Education Bureau are responsible for formulating and reviewing education policy, and overseeing the effective implementation of education programmes. The Permanent Secretary for Education is responsible for the Policy Area 16: Education.
Our Bureau seeks to provide quality education for our students, to develop their potential to the full and to prepare them for the challenges in life. One of our missions is to deliver professional services and ensure effective use of resources.
The Bureau had an establishment of 5,386 permanent posts as at 31 December 2013.
Apart from 66 Government primary/secondary schools and education centre, our offices are located in 20 venues throughout Hong Kong.
Our environmental policy is to promote environmental education in schools, to enhance our staff’s environmental awareness by encouraging them to participate in environmental protection activities, to maintain a management system to improve the environmental quality of our activities, to fully commit to implementing the Clean Air Charter, to adopt responsible environmental housekeeping practices and to comply with relevant legislation and codes of practice.
We devote our green efforts in two main areas: to promote environmental education in schools and to implement in-house green measures in offices and schools.
The Chief Executive kicked off the Action Blue Sky in July 2006 as a massive publicity campaign to raise the community’s awareness of improving air quality in Hong Kong. In tandem with a public appeal for energy conservation, he also directed that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should take the lead in reducing energy consumption.
To show our strong commitment to environmental protection and concern about the well-being of our future generations, the Chief Executive, on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, signed the Clean Air Charter in November 2006. All government bureaux and departments are required to follow the principles and spirit of the Charter when designing and implementing measures having regard to the specific nature and need of their operation and activities.
(A) INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE: BUREAU GREEN MANAGEMENT
To put in place an effective management framework, Principal Assistant Secretary (Administration) has been appointed as the Green Manager of the Bureau to oversee environmental protection issues. Under her chairmanship, a cross-divisional Bureau Green Management Working Group with representatives from all divisions set up since 1999 has been developing the Bureau’s environmental objectives and overseeing the implementation of green housekeeping programmes. Apart from serving as the focal point
for directing and addressing energy and environmental management issues and strengthening green efforts in the Bureau, the Working Group also initiates and monitors the progress of green measures and reviews the overall strategy for green management in the Bureau.
To respond to the Clean Air Charter, we have further strengthened the function of the Green Management Working Group with particular emphasis on energy conservation and air quality improvement.
A two-tier Energy Manager Scheme has been introduced to promote and monitor green measures in the Bureau:
1. Green Managers at Divisional Level
14 Energy Managers have been appointed at divisional level to oversee the implementation of energy-saving and green measures.
2. Assistant Energy Managers and Green Executives at Sectional Level
Environmental audit and inspection teams with 41 Assistant Energy Managers and 44 Green Executives have been set up at sectional level to perform energy conservation duties and implement green measures, such as conducting regular checks, tendering advice to staff concerned and monitoring energy consumption. They function as Energy and Emission Management Teams to co-ordinate measures to reduce energy and paper consumption.
Furthermore, electricity consumption of all offices is critically reviewed and closely monitored at the Green Management Working Group meetings conducted on a bi-monthly basis.
(B) FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS TO THE CLEAN AIR CHARTER
1. Energy Audit
We worked closely with Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to identify new energy saving opportunities.
EMSD completed an energy audit in the Bureau offices in Wu Chung House and Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre in 2007 and early 2008 respectively.
Carbon audits were completed for one government primary school in 2011 and for
one government secondary school and offices in Central Government Offices in Tamar in 2013. 31 government secondary schools also joined the 3-year Energy-cum-Carbon Audit Programme organised by Environmental Protection Department in collaboration with EMSD and the relevant energy-cum-carbon audits were completed in 2012. We have taken various measures, including removing part of the fluorescent lamps in over-lit areas, switching off some of the passenger lifts during non-peak hours and adding occupancy sensor control in toilets, to implement the recommended energy saving proposals.
2. Reduction of Air Pollution
(a) Use of Fuel Efficient Types of Vehicles
Vehicular emissions are the major local source of air pollution and reducing emissions from vehicles is an effective way to improve air quality. We have been using unleaded petrol for our vehicle fleet since 1991.
We have gradually replaced all of our six vehicles by environment-friendly petrol saloon cars with lower emissions and more fuel-efficient engines over the past years.
Among those, four are equipped with a ‘hybrid system’ which combines a gasoline engine and electric motor power to improve fuel economy and minimise emission of polluting particles.
(b) Promotion of Green Driving
To reduce idling emissions and achieve fuel saving, our drivers are regularly reminded to strictly comply with the requirements set out in the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Ordinance against idling of motor vehicle engines while the vehicles are stationary. Frequent surprise inspections have been conducted to ensure compliance.
(c) Economical Pool Car Resources
Furthermore, we have been practising car pooling and task combination, i.e. to achieve multiple objectives in one journey instead of arranging separate trips.
Whenever circumstances permit, “car pool” arrangement would be made to reduce the use of vehicles and at the same time to meet transport demands of different users.
3. Issue of Circulars to Schools
To help alleviate the problem of global warming, we issued circulars to remind all schools to maintain air conditioning temperature at 25.5oC with a view to reducing the emission of carbon dioxide in Hong Kong. We required all schools through circulars to formulate a school-based environmental policy and implement effective measures for energy saving to help improve air quality. An environmentally friendly lifestyle among students has also been promoted via a circular on green lunch in school issued in September 2009. Under the ‘Greening for the Chest’ Campaign collaborated by our Community Youth Club, we encouraged schools to support the green campaign of 2013-2014 through EDB Circular Memorandum No. 95/2013.
(A) ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Our mission is to enhance students’ environmental awareness through education and enlist their participation in conserving the environment. To take this forward, we adopt a cross-curricular approach in the promotion of environmental education and promote school-based and action-oriented activities.
To fulfill the goal of promoting environmental education, various initiatives have been undertaken. They include:
issuing curriculum guides and other reference materials to promote environmental education in schools;
producing multimedia packages and education television programmes on environmental education;
organising school events on environmental education together with various government departments and green groups;
incorporating appropriate environmental education elements in school syllabuses at all levels and updating curriculum guides and exemplars to assist schools in planning environmental education programmes;
producing a reference handbook on
“Education for Sustainable Development for Primary Teachers”; and
supporting the “Greening for the Chest” Campaign organised by the Community Chest of Hong Kong.
1. Interaction with Schools
(a) School Inspections and Visits
We conducted 10 school visits in 2013 giving advice to teachers on the implementation of environmental education. Schools were also encouraged to formulate an environmental school policy and implement measures on energy conservation.
As part of the Research and Development Project, we conducted another 10 school visits in 2013 under the themes: “Environmental Lunar New Year” and “Water Resources”, so as to collaborate with General Studies teachers to promote conservation related studies. To tie in with conservation learning on earth resources as well as water supply, site visits to the new Water
Resources Education Centre of the Water Supplies Department were arranged for students.
(b) Provision of Resources to Schools
7 Professional Development Programmes related to environmental education were provided for Liberal Studies teachers. The programmes cover environmental issues in Hong Kong, China and the world, such as carbon footprint, public engagement in environmental policies formulation, etc.
12 teaching packages and resources materials were developed for Liberal Studies teachers on social issues related to the environment and sustainable development, such as electric vehicle and energy development in the world.
The Education Television (ETV) Unit produced three ETV programmes on environmental protection in 2013, namely “Polar Adventure”, “Climate Change” and
“Low Carbon Living”.
A total of 5 training programmes in the form of seminars / visits on Education for Sustainable Development were organised. Waste management was one of the topics discussed.
A Web-based Environmental Education Learning Package on
“Education for Sustainable Development in Schools in Hong Kong” was developed. Clean Air was one of the topics in the package.
To strengthen support to environmental education in General Studies for primary schools, a professional development programme titled “Strengthening Environmental Conservation to Promote Education for Sustainable Development” was organised in January 2013.
We supported schools in organising Outdoor Education Camp Scheme (OECS) in which enhancing students’ awareness of environmental protection was one of the elements. Related themes or activities include “Nature and I”, “Science and Ecology Trips”, “Climatology, Geography and Ecology Study Camps”, etc. Some schools also adopted environmental protection as the main theme of OECS such as
“Enhancing Communication Skills and Environmental Awareness”.
A total of 82,165 students, including 31,365 secondary and 50,800 primary students from 924 schools (387 secondary and 537 primary schools), participated in the OECS in the 2012/13 school year.
(c) School Activities to Promote Environmental Awareness
Funding was provided for 400 school visits to the Mai Po Nature Reserve.
Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme (SEPAS) 2013/14 SEPAS was organised in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Environmental Campaign Committee to promote environmental protection in schools. The main theme in 2013/14 was “Go Green on Waste Management”.
A total of 632 primary and secondary schools participated in the Scheme and 16,188 Student Environmental Protection Ambassadors (SEPAs) were appointed.
The SEPAs, schools and families were encouraged to adopt a greener lifestyle through waste reduction and recycling.
All SEPAs have been appointed as the Blue Sky Ambassadors to assist teachers in organising environmental education activities related to air quality improvement.
Twelfth Hong Kong Green School Award Scheme (12th HKGSAS)
This award was organised in collaboration with the EPD and the Environmental Campaign Committee to promote environmental protection in schools and the main theme was “Go Green with Waste Management”.
A total of 224 pre-schools, primary and secondary schools participated in the Scheme.
The following government schools were awarded the title of “Hong Kong Green School”:
Hong Kong Green School -
South Yuen Long Government Primary School
Homantin Government Secondary School Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School
Waste Separation and Recycling Scheme in Schools
Under the Scheme, we worked together with the Environmental Campaign Committee to promote the concept of “4Rs”, i.e. reusing, reducing, recycling and replacing disposable products. As at the end of 2013, the participating schools collected about 466,527 kilograms of waste paper and 24,858 kilograms of plastic materials.
In addition, about 2,661 kilograms of metal was collected.
2. Building Partnerships
We collaborated with various government departments and relevant green groups to promote environmental protection. We participated in the following working groups and committees in 2013 to provide advice on the organisation of school activities and production of resource materials to schools:
Community Involvement Committee on Greening Environmental and Conservation Fund Committee
Environmental Education & Community Action Projects Vetting Committee (Environment and Conservation Fund)
Environmental Campaign Committee
Environmental Campaign Committee Education Working Group
Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) - Task Force on the Green Building Learning Kit for Schools
Management Committee for Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre Working Group for the Community Organic Farming Campaign for Primary and
Secondary Schools in Hong Kong
Working Group for the Green Building Competition for Schools 2013
Working Group for the Hong Kong Green School Guide by the Hong Kong Green Building Council
(B) IN-HOUSE HOUSEKEEPING MEASURES
1. Design and Construction Works for New Schools
We introduced various environmentally friendly initiatives in design and construction works of new school buildings, including:
reduction in noise and air pollution during construction through implementation of mitigation measures;
use of renewable energy (e.g. photovoltaic system) and alternative source of water (e.g. treated rain water ) as far as practicable;
reduction in construction waste by using more precast and prefabricated building elements;
increased application of re-usable materials, in particular metal framework, site hoarding and recycled products;
improvement to indoor air quality by installing fresh air pre-conditioners in classrooms and using low volatile organic compound-emitting building materials;
use of environmentally friendly refrigerant for air-conditioners;
use of energy-saving devices such as sun shading on external elevations, occupancy sensors, photo-sensor controlled lighting, T5 fluorescent tubes with electronic ballasts, LED exit signs, and variable refrigerant volume air-conditioning system;
use of water-saving devices such as dual-flush cisterns and sensor-taps for wash basins;
increased landscaping in school playgrounds and upper levels and roof floor of school (including vertical greening) for a greener environment in schools and campuses;
provision of varied plant species and designated green areas in schools to foster students’ interest in natural science and enable students to develop horticultural skills;
provision of adequate space and waste separation bins to facilitate separation, collection and storage of recyclable materials for recycling;
use of shared facilities among schools which has enabled a greener and more spacious environment in these schools;
introduction of hygiene improvement measures to schools, including toilet provision without main entrance doors and hand-washing facilities in playgrounds;
and
provision of Central Food Portioning Area to facilitate the use of re-usable cutlery and food containers and to reduce food wastage.
Water cooled VRV system Hybrid type lamp pole
Hybrid type solar energy collector Sunlight collector
Mono-crystalline PV panels Mono-crystalline PV panels with sun tracking
Small scale wind turbine Semi-transparent amorphous PV panels
Solar powered LED bollard light LED accent lighting
2. Consumption of Resources
(a) Saving Paper and Electricity
We are making continuous efforts in economising the use of paper and reducing electricity consumption. We shall continue to maintain our efforts to achieve further savings in electricity and paper consumption in 2014.
(b) Conserving Energy
We shall continue to adopt energy-efficient measures and sustain our efforts in reducing energy consumption.
Energy saving fluorescent tubes with electronic ballasts and light bulbs are used in our offices as far as possible.
We have been strictly following the Government’s policy to maintain the ambient office temperature at 25.5 ℃.
100 125 150 175 200
2011 2012 2013
Kiloream
Paper Consumption
20 25 30 35 40
2011 2012 2013
office school MWh
Electricity Consumption
Electricity consumption reports were compiled on a quarterly basis. Internal energy audits were conducted periodically.
Moreover, our ITM Division has deployed server virtualisation technology to reduce energy consumption. Server virtualisation also reduces the need to procure new physical servers.
The number of virtual servers has increased from 257 in end 2012 to 302 in end 2013 including those newly added and migrated from old physical servers. We shall continue to deploy the server virtualization technology for any new servers where applicable.
3. Highlights of Other Green Measures in 2013
We have all along adhered to the 4Rs principles of “Reduce, Re-use, Re-cycle and Replace disposable products” and focused on minimising waste and implementing various green measures on an on-going basis.
(a) Minimising and Reducing Wastes
Using Electronic Means of Communication
With a view to promoting paperless operation in our daily work and reducing the use of paper, staff in the Bureau are provided with email accounts and use of electronic mails has become the most popular means of communication in the Bureau.
Staff in the Bureau are provided with Intranet accounts. The Intranet platform has been widely used to disseminate Bureau information including telephone directory, updates on grade management statistics, training activities, newsletters, etc. and process administrative and personnel matters, e.g. booking conference rooms, processing leave applications and processing applications for training courses. We encourage staff to exchange documents through electronic means.
(b) Re-use and Waste Recycling
As an integral part of our green strategy, we have put in place the following recycling program:
Green Purchasing
In procurement of products, we took into account environmental factors such as recyclability and energy efficiency as far as applicable. We also purchased green products like re-cycled ink and toner cartridges.
We supported procurement of green products for use in the Bureau. In arranging tenders, we included common environmentally friendly terms such as trade-in clauses, recycling arrangements, etc. as far as practicable. Trade-in arrangements for the supply of ink and toner printer cartridges were arranged. In this connection, a total of 597 used cartridges were returned to the suppliers concerned for recycling or public auction in 2013.
Furthermore, we collected a total of 3,082 pieces of computer waste for recycling either by contractors under the disposal contracts or through public auction.
When inviting tenders for new cleansing contracts for our offices and schools, we required tenderers to include use of recycled plastic bags and approved cleansing chemical and materials in the service schedule.
Collecting Waste
We joined the EPD’s “Programme on Source Separation of Commercial and Industrial Waste”
and provided green boxes in offices and schools for collection of papers, plastic and aluminium wastes for recycling.
We collected a total of 205,428 kilograms of waste paper for recycling throughout the year.
Use of Recycled Paper
Following the EPD’s recommendation of wider use of recycled paper, we consumed 32,332 reams of recycled papers in 2013.
We continue with our efforts in reducing paper consumption and measures such as printing on both sides of paper and reusing envelopes.
Improvement in Indoor Air Quality
Under the EPD’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Certification Scheme, offices in the Central Government Offices in Tamar have obtained the “Excellent Class” IAQ Certificate while offices in Wu Chung House and the Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre have obtained the “Good Class” IAQ Certificate in 2013. We will continue to monitor the indoor air quality regularly to ensure the IAQ meets the standard promulgated by the EPD.
Promotional Green Activities
We organised a series of activities to promote green management in the Bureau in 2013, including:
(i) The Fourteenth Paper Saving Competition
• We organised the fourteenth Paper Saving Competition to promote paper saving in daily operation among colleagues working in government schools and offices.
Prize Winning Teams
Best Performance Award in Paper Saving
Curriculum Development Institute Chiu Lut Sau Memorial Secondary School.
Best Progress Award in Paper Saving
Information Technology Management Division
Hoi Pa Street Government Primary School.
(ii) Green Christmas
In the exercise of “Donation of Clothing, Small Electrical Appliances and Toys" launched during Christmas 2013, we collected 7 packs of clothing, small electrical appliances and toys for donation to the Salvation Army.
(iii) Electronic Christmas Cards
As one of our paper-saving measures, we used e-cards to send Christmas and New Year greetings to our working partners. Staff was also encouraged to use the GovHK Internal e-Card Platform to distribute e-cards.
Promotional Messages on Newsletter and Bureau Intranet
To encourage direct participation by colleagues and appeal for their support and contribution in protecting the environment, we disseminated green messages and notices on the Bureau’s newsletter “EDB Pulse” and EDB Intranet’s pop-up window.
We also disseminated useful tips on green management through Intranet and internal publications.
We fully recognise the importance of environmental protection and green management.
The Bureau will continue to devote efforts and resources to maintaining a high level of green management practice and setting a good example to the community.
In terms of education, we will continue to encourage schools to develop a green culture, and to equip students with the knowledge, skills and attitude to become environmental-friendly citizens. To support schools in environmental education, we will continue to provide a broad range of services including school visits, teacher education programmes, territory-wide green activities, and learning and teaching resources.
Within the Bureau, we will strive to reduce electricity consumption having regard to actual operational requirements. With the completion of energy audits and review of enhanced green management measures, we shall be in a better position to work out more concrete energy saving targets in the future.
TARGETS FOR 2014
Our targets for promotion of environmental education in the 2013/14 school year are as follows:
Key Action Area Targets for 2013/14 School Year Conducting school
inspections and visits to give advice on
environmental education
To advise schools on environmental education during school visits and other learning experience activities
Organising school activities to enhance students’ awareness of environmental protection
Providing advice on organisation of school activities and production of resource materials for schools to promote environmental protection
To fund 400 school visits to the Mai Po Nature Reserve
To organise activities in collaboration with various government departments and non-government organisations to promote green living
To subsidise 600 schools through the
“Outdoor Education Camp Scheme” to deepen students’ understanding and love of the nature to enhance their awareness of environmental protection
To enrich the web-based learning and teaching resources, such as the life event exemplars relating to environmental education
In conducting our business, we will continue to economise on the use of resources and minimise waste. In the coming year, we will continue to:
1. initiate and promote environmental-friendly housekeeping practices;
2. conduct indoor air quality check and devise more effective measures to improve air quality;
3. implement improvement measures to achieve further energy conservation according to the recommendations of energy audits or carbon audits;
4. promote the use of electronic means of communication within the Bureau; and 5. organise activities and training to promote staff’s awareness and participation in
green management.
If you have any comments/suggestions, please send them to the Centre Manager (Address:
Room E301, East Block, Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong; Email address: edbinfo@edb.gov.hk; Fax no.: 2117 0081).
Thank you.
