E NVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

LAND AND WATERBORNE TRANSPORT

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. A safe, efficient, reliable and environment friendly transport system is important to the sustainable development of the city. On environmental management, we will continue to press ahead with the following initiatives -

 promotion of environment friendly transport modes;

 reduction in traffic congestion and better inter-modal co-ordination;

 greater emphasis on pedestrian facilities; and

 application of Information Technology (IT) to transport management.

 Priority for Efficient and Environment Friendly Transport Modes

Railways are the backbone of our public transport system. They are environment friendly, safe and efficient mass carriers in , carrying about 40% of our public transport passengers. The total length of our railways under operation is about 220 kilometres (km).

We are taking forward the following four railway projects in full swing -

(East);

Line Extension;

 Shatin to Central Link; and

 Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

Upon completion of these railway passenger lines, the total length of railways in operation in Hong Kong will be increased to 270 km.

The Government announced the Railway Development Strategy 2014 on 17 September 2014. Having regard to transport demand, cost effectiveness and the development needs of New Development Areas and other new development projects, the Strategy recommends that seven new railway projects be completed in the planning horizon up to 2031, including Northern Link (and Kwu Tung Station); ; East Line; Tung Chung West Extension; Hung Shui Kiu Station; South Island Line (West) and . When all the new projects recommended are completed, the total length of the railways will increase from 270 km in 2021 to over 300 km.

The Government will continue with its efforts to enhance complementarity of railway and other public transport modes to ensure their long-term healthy development while affording the community reasonable modal choices. To this end, the Government is undertaking a Public Transport Strategy Study to review the roles and positioning of public transport services other than the railway in the wake of an expanding railway network.

As far as electric vehicles (EVs) are concerned, TD will continue to assist the Environment Bureau in the importation and introduction of EVs by formulating the relevant standards and guidelines, and checking/approving new models according to the prevailing requirements. To enhance the EV charging network, the Government and the private sector have joined hands to set up more than 1 100 charging facilities.

 Reduction in Traffic Congestion and Better Inter-modal Co-ordination

To reduce traffic in busy areas and hence the impact on the environment, we have taken the following measures -

 rationalisation of bus routes and provision of bus-bus interchange (BBI) schemes;

 implementation of more inter-modal interchange schemes;

 provision of Park-and-Ride schemes; and

 alleviation of road traffic congestion.

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Rationalisation of Bus Routes

The Government and franchised bus companies have been pursuing bus route rationalisation with greater vigour since 2013 to enhance network efficiency, improve service quality, ease traffic congestion and reduce roadside air pollution. This includes adopting an “Area Approach” to holistically review bus service for Tuen Mun, North District, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long and Kowloon. Under the Area Approach, bus service is reviewed holistically for a district as a whole, rather than on a route-by-route basis, to bring maximum overall benefits to the district. Between 2013 and end 2015, a total of 30 bus routes with low patronage were cancelled or amalgamated with other routes. Another 248 routes had been truncated or had their frequency reduced. These reorganisation arrangements resulted in the reduction of more than 3 800 bus trips along major trunk roads in Central, Causeway Bay and per day.

BBI Schemes

BBI schemes are pursued as one of the measures to achieve more efficient use of bus resources, relieve congestion, minimise environmental impact on busy corridors, and reduce the need for long-haul point-to-point bus routes. As at end 2015, there were about 355 BBI schemes. These schemes have been implemented at/near the toll plazas of Shing Mun Tunnel, Tai Lam Tunnel, Tate’s Cairn Tunnel, , Western Harbour Crossing, Cross Harbour Tunnel, Aberdeen Tunnel, Lion Rock Tunnel and Tsing Ma Control Area, Tuen Mun Road, Tsing Sha Highways as well as other areas in the territory. Through the provision of fare discount and more route choices for interchanging, the implementation of these schemes is well received by the public. These schemes have enhanced the bus network and facilitated inter-district travel whilst minimising the need for introducing additional long-haul bus routes. On average, some 155 000 passengers enjoy these interchange schemes every day.

Low Emission Zones

EPD has designated low emission zones (LEZs) in three busy corridors in Causeway Bay, Central and Mong Kok since 31 December 2015. The Government has worked with franchised bus companies on the deployment of buses meeting the emission level of Euro IV or above to operate on routes passing through the LEZs as far as practicable.

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Bus-Rail and Green Minibus-Rail Interchange Schemes

To promote the interchange between rail and other public transport modes, interchange discount concessions in the form of bus-rail interchange (BRI) and green minibus (GMB)-rail interchange (GRI) schemes have been introduced. As at end 2015, six franchised bus routes and 53 GMB routes were offering fare concessions to passengers involved in the BRI ($1.0) and GRI (ranging from $0.3 to $3.0) schemes for the MTR. Besides, passengers travelling on MTR could enjoy free interchange on MTR feeder bus routes K12, K14, K17 and K18 at designated MTR stations along East Rail Line. The MTR Corporation Limited also offers free transfer on MTR bus routes for and Light Rail passengers.

GMB-GMB Interchange Schemes

GMB-GMB interchange schemes are introduced to achieve more efficient use of minibus resources and minimise environmental impact on public roads subject to financial capability of the operators concerned. To promote the interchange between two different GMB routes, fare concessions were offered to interchanging passengers on 64 routes (ranging from $1.0 to $10.3) as at end 2015.

Park-and-Ride Schemes

Park-and-Ride (PnR) car parks allow drivers to park their cars at transport interchanges and switch to public transport, with a view to reducing the amount of road traffic entering congested areas.

Currently, there are 11 car parks providing PnR service in various districts of , Kowloon and (including urban and rural areas). These car parks are located at or near MTR stations, including Sheung Shui Station, Hong Kong Station, Kowloon Station, Tsing Yi Station, , , Station, Olympic Station, Hang Hau Station, and , to facilitate drivers to switch to MTR.

In planning future rail stations and major transport interchanges, especially those on the fringe of the urban area, PnR facilities will be developed wherever appropriate.

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Alleviating Road Traffic Congestion

Road traffic congestion affects all road users, not just bringing inconvenience to them but also causing adverse impact on our economic activities, the environment as well as the quality of life. The Government agrees in-principle to take forward in phases the host of short, medium and long-term measures recommended by the Transport Advisory Committee in December 2014 to alleviate road traffic congestion, having regard to stakeholders’ views, feasibility of available options and overseas experience, etc. In particular, the Government commenced a three-month public engagement exercise for the Electronic Road Pricing Pilot Scheme in Central and its adjacent areas in December 2015, and will commission an in-depth feasibility study to develop details for further discussion. We have proposed to raise the fixed penalty charges for congestion-related traffic offences in tandem with inflation to restore their deterrent effect. We have also undertaken to conduct a parking policy review in 2016-17, with priority accorded to considering and meeting the parking need of commercial vehicles.

 Greater Emphasis on Pedestrian Facilities

Promoting better pedestrian environment is one of the means to enhance the quality of life. We continued to monitor and review the operation of pedestrian schemes in 2015.

In several areas with high pedestrian flow, we have been taking forward pedestrian environment improvement schemes. In Yuen Long, all the nine local improvement measures have been completed. For the proposed footbridge extending southward from West Rail Long Ping Station to Kau Yuk Road, investigation and detailed design works commenced in December 2014. We have formulated various design schemes for the proposed footbridge system. Environmental impact assessment study of the works has also commenced. We will strive to take forward the detailed design and relevant statutory procedures for early implementation of works. In Mong Kok, further investigation studies for the proposed footbridge system are underway. The scope covers assessment of the anticipated usage of the proposed footbridge system, impact on the traffic, environment and underground utilities during its construction and operation stages, etc. In Causeway Bay, short-term improvement measures, such as widening of pedestrian crossings, are being taken forward to improve the at-grade pedestrian environment.

5 Footpath widening and landscaping are also effective means to improve the pedestrian environment. In 2015, we commenced landscaping works at Dundas Street. We also continued the preparation for the footpath widening and landscaping works at Woosung Street. The works at the streets concerned are scheduled for completion in 2016.

Provision of escalator links / elevator systems can improve pedestrian accessibility to uphill areas and to reduce dependence on vehicular access to these areas via congested, steep and narrow access roads. In this connection, the Government is continuing to take forward various escalator link and elevator system projects. The Yuet Wah Street pedestrian linkage has been substantially completed and open for public use in October 2015. Some of the covered walkways at the pedestrian link at Tsz Wan Shan have been completed and open for public use since 2014, while the remaining parts are scheduled for completion by end 2016. Eleven other projects are under investigation and design stages.

 Application of IT in Transport Management

We continue to promote the deployment of advanced information and telecommunication technologies to enhance the performance of the transport system in Hong Kong. Such enhancement enables road users to access real-time traffic information, thus helping them to plan ahead their driving routes or transportation means in a more efficient manner. Road users will enjoy smoother journeys with reduced journey time, thereby contributing towards lower fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.

Journey Time Indication System

The Journey Time Indication System (JTIS) is installed at critical diversion points of cross harbour routes to display the estimated journey time required for using the three road harbour crossings. It provides the latest traffic situation for motorists crossing the harbour so that they can make informed route choices and avoid congested tunnels. There are ten sets of JTIS installed at various diversion points of the strategic cross harbour routes on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. The real-time cross-harbour journey time is also shown on TD’s website and shared via Government's DATA.GOV.HK for public use.

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Area Traffic Control System

The Area Traffic Control (ATC) system uses a central computer to co-ordinate the operation of on-street traffic signals on a required basis. In view of the significant benefits of the ATC system in optimising the utilisation of road capacity, minimising traffic delay and reducing vehicle emissions, we have expanded the system in phases to cover majority of the districts. As at end-2015, out of the 1 879 signalised junctions in the territory, 1 821 were linked to the ATC system. With the greater coverage of the ATC system, overall traffic delay at intersections is minimised and journey time is reduced. Due to better co-ordination of traffic signals resulting in less stop and start activities, fuel consumption and emissions of vehicles are also reduced.

To protect the environment and save costs, conventional light bulbs used in public road traffic signals have been replaced by light emitting diodes (LED).

Speed Map Panels

The Speed Map Panel (SMP) system was launched in January 2013. Five SMPs were installed on strategic routes in the New Territories to provide motorists with traffic conditions of the roads towards Kowloon by gantry signs in map format. The traffic information is also shown on TD's website and shared via the Government's DATA.GOV.HK for public use. TD is exploring the feasibility of expanding the SMPs to other major routes.

Traffic and Incident Management System

We are developing the Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS) to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in managing traffic and transport incidents and in disseminating traffic and transport information to the public. TIMS is scheduled for commissioning in 2016.

Public Services on the Internet and Mobile Applications

To help passengers, motorists and other road users better plan their journeys, we have been providing information on road network, traffic conditions and public transport services on the Internet and mobile applications.

7 The public services include Road Traffic Information Service, Hong Kong eRouting and Hong Kong eTransport. The Road Traffic Information Service provides real-time traffic information to facilitate the selection of optimum transport modes and routes by commuters. The Hong Kong eRouting provides motorists with the optimum driving route options based on selection criteria such as distance, travel time, toll, etc. For the Hong Kong eTransport, it offers one-stop multi-modal public transport route search services providing point-to-point search services covering various public transport modes with map display.

These services are provided to the public through websites and mobile applications. To facilitate commuters (in particular overseas visitors) who do not have ready access to mobile data service to use the Hong Kong eTransport service, kiosks were also installed at some strategic locations, including the Arrival Halls of Terminal 1 of HKIA, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and public transport interchanges etc. To enhance the service quality, more Hong Kong eTransport kiosks will be set up at various locations by mid-2016.

CIVIL AVIATION

AA and CAD have implemented a range of initiatives to safeguard the environment. The former is responsible for the operation and development of HKIA and the latter is the regulator for civil aviation and provider of air traffic control services.

 Initiatives by AA

AA’s Environmental Commitment

HKIA is committed to long-term sustainable growth and becoming a leading environmental performer in Hong Kong. AA’s environmental policy focuses on adopting and encouraging practices that minimise the environmental footprint of the airport with the aims of becoming more resource and cost efficient, and addressing emerging risks and public expectations.

AA pledged to make HKIA the world’s greenest airport. To set the foundation for realising this goal, AA benchmarked its environmental performance against 23 hub-sized airports and airports that are recognised as environmental leaders. Areas for improvement were identified, reviewed and incorporated into AA’s Environmental

8 Plan. The plan was also expanded in scope and revised to better align with AA’s corporate planning and master planning cycle.

AA is committed to learning from and sharing environmental best practices with other airports. AA holds the Chair of Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific Regional Environment Committee (REC) and is an active participant in the ACI World Environment Standing Committee.

Minimising Emissions

HKIA has pledged to reduce airport-wide carbon emissions by 25% per workload unit (WLU) by 2015 based on the 2008 emission level. To realise this pledge, AA manages the carbon emission of its own operations and actively engages airport business partners in conducting annual carbon audits and highlighting the best initiatives to reduce the airport’s overall carbon footprint.

In terms of airport-wide carbon emissions, HKIA achieved a 22.4% reduction in carbon intensity in 2014. AA continues to work closely with its airport business partners towards achieving the 25% reduction target by 2015.

In December 2012, HKIA became the first airport in Asia-Pacific to achieve the ‘Optimisation’ level in the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. AA renewed its accreditation at this level in 2014 and secured a renewal valid for three years in 2015. AA also extended the number of participating business partners in the airport-wide carbon reduction programme to 46. Further details can be found at http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/csr/carbon-reduction/index.html.

To support the long-term sustainable development of HKIA, AA has commissioned a consultancy for setting future airport-wide carbon reduction target and the associated strategies. AA has been working with its airport business partners to develop the new target and strategies, details of which will be announced in 2016.

To facilitate the introduction and operation of EVs and electric ground support equipment (EGSE) at HKIA, AA has installed 204 EV chargers and 68 EGSE chargers at the airside, among which 46 EV chargers and 12 EGSE chargers are located at the newly constructed Midfield Concourse and Western Apron. By the end of 2015, the total number of EVs and EGSE operating at HKIA stood at 406. AA has also been active in electrifying its own fleet. As at 31 December 2015, AA owned 259 vehicles and ground support equipment (GSE), of which 48 were electric saloon vehicles, eight

9 were electric vans and 20 were EGSE. AA also has a programme to retire its older diesel vehicles and replace them with cleaner EURO V vehicles. This includes 34 passenger buses which entered service in 2014.

Since July 2013, AA has required all newly-registered saloons operating in the Airfield Restricted Area (ARA) to be EVs, and by July 2017 all saloons operating in the ARA must be EVs. To encourage airside operators to adopt EVs, AA launched the Airside Electric Vehicle Incentive Scheme in June 2012 which provides a subsidy for switching from existing diesel-powered saloons to EVs. The incentive scheme will last until June 2016.

To reduce emissions from aircraft, AA implemented an auxiliary power unit (APU) ban in December 2014 that controls the usage of APUs at frontal stands. In order to meet aircraft needs for electrical power and cabin cooling once the ban came into effect, AAHK upgraded all of its fixed ground power units (FGP) and pre-conditioned air (PCA) systems - a total of 136 FGP units and 96 PCA units. Before implementing the ban, AA also worked closely with airport business partners to organise trials and developed an operational procedure for the ban.

The airport community’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint was recognised by the international aviation industry. In September 2015, the HKIA Carbon Reduction Programme was cited as one of the Aviation Climate Solutions by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) at the Global Sustainable Aviation Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The “Aviation Climate Solutions” report comprises 100 examples of collaboration within the aviation industry to cut carbon dioxide emissions and help reduce its impact on climate change.

At COP21 (also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference), the international community committed to a long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels; and to aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Although there is no immediate implication for the aviation industry, it is believed that such firm commitment on climate change will extend to the next International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in September 2016. AA will closely monitor the outcome.

Saving Energy

In 2009, AA launched a programme to replace 100 000 traditional lights in the terminal buildings with LEDs. By the end of March 2015, the final phase of

10 replacement of high power LED lights was completed. The entire replacement programme contributes 18.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in energy savings per year, which is equivalent to approximately 11 500 tonnes of carbon emissions.

For the first time, AA was named as Champion of the Biggest Units Saver Award (Organisation) category in the Power Smart Energy Saving Contest 2015 held by Friends of the Earth (HK). The contest counted net electricity reduction by comparing electricity use between July and September 2015 with the same period in 2014. AA saved over 3 million kWh of electricity during the period. This was achieved primarily through the replacement of high power gantry LED lights and implementing an early shut down schedule for its high voltage chiller system.

Reducing Solid Waste

To facilitate the segregation of key waste streams such as paper, glass, plastic and aluminium cans at source, the number of 4-in-1 recycling bins in public areas inside the terminal buildings was increased from 68 to 360. AA also provides free plastic bags to food and beverage tenants to facilitate the sorting and segregation of recyclables. Recycling bins are also available on each floor of AA office buildings.

Since 2011, AA has been running a food waste recycling programme to collect food waste from terminal buildings and airport business partners every day. 1 200 tonnes of food waste were recycled as animal feed in 2015. Since 2014, taking advantage of spare capacity in the trucks collecting food waste, AA has extended the programme to neighbouring Tung Chung. A shopping centre in CityGate and a wet market in Yat Tung Estate joined the programme on a trial basis. The pilot programme was successfully completed in December 2015. AA is exploring ways to extend food waste recycling to other organisations and facilities in Tung Chung.

The HKIA Food Rescue Programme was launched in partnership with a local non-government organsation (NGO) in August 2013. Through the HKIA Environmental Fund, AA sponsored the NGO to purchase a refrigerated truck for transporting surplus food and committed to supporting their work for three years. In 2015, around 30 tonnes of surplus food were collected from restaurants and caterers at HKIA and transformed into over 25 000 nutritious hot meals for distribution to the underprivileged.

AA collaborates with different NGOs and institutions to identify and collect waste items that can be reused. For the fourth consecutive year, AA supported the

11 Lai See Reuse and Recycle Programme organised by Greeners Action, which encouraged the public to donate used Lai See packets for reuse. Around 116 500 Lai See packets were collected at the airport during the campaign between February and March 2015. Moreover, AA provided 140 waste wooden wine crates and pallets generated from tenants to EPD for the construction of its exhibition booth at Eco Expo Asia 2015. In January 2015, AA also worked with a landscape contractor and the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Association to donate healthy festive plants from HKIA to a secondary school.

To review existing waste management practices and identify possible solutions to further reduce waste and promote recycling at HKIA, AA commissioned a waste management study in April 2015 which aims to develop strategies and programmes to improve the ongoing waste monitoring and HKIA’s overall waste performance. The study will be completed by March 2016.

Sustainable Dining

In November 2013, AA launched its “Sustainable Seafood Pre-order Dining Policy” which requires banquet menus catering for 12 or more people to refrain from serving any of the 13 species from World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong’s “Seafood to Avoid” list. The list includes all shark products, Bluefin Tuna, Humphead Wrasse, Hong Kong Grouper and other species that have been over exploited or sourced from unsustainable fisheries. Since its inception, the menus for more than 60 meals have been reviewed and, where necessary, amended in order to comply with the policy.

In January 2015 the Policy was renamed the “Sustainable Dining Policy” to widen the scope to include sustainable consumption of non-marine species. Incorporating best practice from the Environment Bureau and certain airport business partners, new species added to the items-to-avoid list include all snakes, all soft- and hard-shelled turtles, black moss and Tiger Grouper.

The HKIA Environmental Management Recognition Scheme

In 2012, AA launched an environmental scheme to share green practices among the airport community. The scheme was comprehensively revised and re-launched in December 2014, with a focus on encouraging tenants to take direct responsibility for their environmental management. In parallel with the government’s efforts to address Hong Kong’s waste problem, “Waste Management” was chosen as the theme. The scheme evaluated airport tenants on their environmental performance,

12 commitment and future initiatives. They were assessed on environmental aspects such as waste management, energy efficiency, wastewater management, and air and noise pollution control. An awards ceremony was held in March 2015 to honour 42 business partners with Grand, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards according to their level of environmental performance.

Environmental Awards

In 2015, AA received a number of awards recognising its efforts in environmental protection:

Environmental Campaign Committee - Hong Kong Green Organisation Certification

 IAQwi$e Certificate for indoor air quality in Terminals 1 and 2, North Satellite Concourse and - “Good Level”

 Energywi$e Certificate - Excellence Level & one of the top three organisations which reduced the most amount of energy in 2014

 Wastewi$e Certificate: Excellence Level

 Carbon Reduction Certificate

Friends of the Earth

 Power Smart Energy Saving Contest 2015 - Biggest Units Saver Award (Organisation): Champion

CLP

 GreenPlus Recognition Awards 2015 - Prestige Honour Award

EPD recognition

 Indoor Air Quality “Good Class Certificate” for Terminals 1 and 2, the North Satellite Concourse and SkyPier

13 World Green Organisation

 United Nations Millennium Development Goals - Green Office Awards Labelling Scheme

o Green Office Label

o United Nations Millennium Development Goals - “Better World Company” Label

 Sustainable Business Award 2015

Carbon Care Asia

 Car bonCare® Label 2015

International recognition

 Airports Council International - Airport Carbon Accreditation ‘Optimisation” Level

 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards - Best Innovation for Carbon Reduction: Silver Award

 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2015 – Top Green Companies in Asia

Sustainability Report

AA published its third annual sustainability report entitled "Growing Together" in October 2015. The report details AA’s sustainability performance and management approach in the fiscal year ending 31 March 2015, covering the areas of economic contribution, airport growth, operational excellence, environment, as well as people and community.

The report has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and the Airport Operators Sector Disclosures: the Core option, and externally verified to provide greater transparency and accountability for AA’s stakeholders.

14 The report can be found on the HKIA website at: http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/media/publication/sustainability-report/SD-repor ts-2014_15.html.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Three-Runway System (3RS)

The Director of Environmental Protection approved the EIA report for the 3RS project on 7 November 2014 (details of the EIA report can be found at http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_2232014/html/index.htm). The Environmental Permit (EP) was also granted on the same day. AA is actively implementing the environmental mitigation measures and enhancements to fulfil the commitment in achieving “development alongside environmental conservation” in the implementation of the 3RS project.

Since December 2015, AA has re-routed and imposed speed limit on the high speed ferries of the SkyPier to facilitate early protection of Chinese White Dolphins. This has taken place well before the commencement of the 3RS reclamation works. Besides, AA has commenced the preparatory work, including developing a management plan for the proposed 2 400-hectare marine park, which will be the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. As part of the 3RS project, AA has also committed to formulating and financing a Marine Ecology and Fisheries Enhancement Strategy together with relevant experts and stakeholders to enhance the marine environment in the vicinity of HKIA and the Pearl River Estuary waters.

 Initiatives by CAD

CAD has implemented a series of aircraft noise mitigation measures and has kept close and continuous monitoring on their implementation. Such measures include noise abatement departure procedures, Continuous Descent Approach procedures, the use of flight paths over water to avoid overflying residential areas whenever possible.

For aircraft departing to the northeast of the airport, CAD requires all airlines to adopt the noise abatement departure procedures stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

For the purpose of reducing the number of aircraft overflying populated areas in various areas in the New Territories during night time, aircraft arriving between midnight and 7 am are required to land from the southwest, subject to acceptable

15 wind direction and safety consideration. In 2015, CAD recorded that 78.4% of arriving aircraft were able to land from the southwest of HKIA between midnight and 7 am under permissible conditions.

With a view to reducing the number of aircraft overflying more densely populated districts like Hung Hom, North Point, Shaukeiwan and Chai Wan, under acceptable weather and safety conditions, aircraft departing to the northeast of the airport between 11 pm and 7 am are required to use the southbound route via the West Lamma Channel. In 2015, 98.8% of aircraft departing to the northeast of the airport during the said period were able to take the southbound route over the West Lamma Channel.

Since February 2012, CAD implemented a new set of flight procedures that make use of satellite-based navigation technology for noise mitigation. Aircraft which are equipped to use the technology, when departing to the northeast of the HKIA, can make use of the on-board navigation capabilities to achieve higher track-keeping accuracy during their turn to the West Lamma Channel, thereby keeping the aircraft at a distance away from the areas in the vicinity of the flight paths, and reducing the impact of aircraft noise on these areas.

Only aircraft meeting stipulated requirements in Chapter 3 of Annex 16, Volume 1, Part II, to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (“Chapter 3 noise standards”) are allowed to operate at HKIA. Starting from end of March 2014, CAD ceased to allow airlines to schedule aircraft whose noise levels only marginally meet the Chapter 3 noise standards between 11 pm and 7 am. This measure has been extended to cover the whole day since end October 2014. CAD will continue with its existing efforts to encourage the airlines to speed up replacing their older and noisier aircraft with newer and quieter ones.

CAD also provides periodic reports on its website on aircraft noise measurements. Moreover, CAD meets members of the public and maintains a telephone hotline to handle enquiries or complaints against aircraft noise.

Rationalisation of Air Route System

Taking advantage of the latest development in satellite navigation technologies, CAD rationalised the air route system in 2009. The new air routes have shortened travelling distances for aircraft arriving from the west and the north of Hong Kong. Aircraft arriving on these routes have been able to save up to about 210 km in flight

16 journey or 14 minutes in flight time allowing significant fuel and emissions savings.

In 2015, a total of nearly 78 000 flights benefitted from these shortened routes.

Additionally, as a result of the collaborative efforts with adjacent air traffic control centres since 2011, CAD has continued to apply a reduction of spacing requirement between flights on air routes M750/B576 transiting the Hong Kong and Taipei Flight Information Regions bound for Korea. By reducing the spacing requirement between flights, the capacity of these routes has been increased and more aircraft have been able to fly at optimum and fuel efficient altitudes, thereby achieving fuel savings and a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Close to 24 000 flights used these routes to Korea in 2015.

CAD would continue to keep in view the development of the latest ICAO flight procedure criteria, progressively apply more advanced aviation technologies as appropriate and closely work with other air traffic control authorities and the airline operators to further enhance the air route system in the Hong Kong Flight Information Region.

LOGISTICS, PORT AND MARITIME SERVICES

The MD, which is responsible for maritime and navigational safety matters within Hong Kong waters, has implemented various initiatives to protect and improve the environment -

 MD launches patrol Hong Kong waters to ensure compliance with the marine legislation, which includes detection of offences that may cause pollution to the environment, such as littering, illegal discharge of oil, and dark smoke emission from vessels.

 MD monitors and conducts spot checks on dark smoke emissions from vessels within Hong Kong waters. On receipt of complaint, MD will investigate and if sufficient evidence is established, initiate prosecution. To enhance the control of dark smoke emission, we have amended the current legislation to allow the use of the Ringelmann Chart as an objective benchmark for taking enforcement actions, i.e. vessels shall not emit dark smoke which is as dark as or darker than shade 2 on the Ringelmann Chart for three minutes or more continuously at any one time. The amended legislation came into effect on 18 July 2014.

17  MD monitors and regulates the movement of vessels within Hong Kong waters round-the-clock through an advanced vessel traffic surveillance system to protect the marine environment from pollution caused by marine traffic accidents.

 MD adopts performance-based contract for the scavenging of floating refuse and collection of refuse from ocean-going ships and local vessels to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of marine cleansing services.

 MD maintains a Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan and a Maritime Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Spill Response Plan to co-ordinate departmental actions for handling oil and noxious substances pollution incidents in Hong Kong waters, and continues to fulfil the pledge to respond on site within two hours of the reported spillage inside harbour limits.

 MD takes part in the Maritime HNS Spill Response Plan, to provide scavenging and cleansing services for HNS residues left in Hong Kong waters after it has been properly treated.

 MD has signed a co-operation arrangement with the port administration of Guangdong, Shenzhen and Macao to adopt the Regional Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan for the Pearl River Estuary.

 MD maintains energy saving plans to minimise energy consumption in the China Ferry Terminal and the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal by economising on the use of lighting and air-conditioning. MD also encourages the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal to implement energy saving plans to minimise energy consumption.

 MD has signed the Food Wise Charter, led by EPD, aiming to avoid and reduce food waste generation by its catering contractors.

 MD has adopted green measures on all fronts in the operation of the Government Dockyard (GD), including the use of marine diesel engines, compliance with the latest relevant requirements in the Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) on new government vessels, annual review and upgrading of facilities with environment friendly engines, equipment and products (e.g. installation of photovoltaic panel for battery charging and using the proximity switches for lights at remote staircase to reduce the consumption of electricity), and regular air quality checks on indoor

18 worksites, etc. Apart from continuing with the installation of additional shore power facilities for lay-by vessels, GD has continued the programme to replace traditional light bulbs with energy saving LED lights in 2015. To support Government’s green policy, MD has participated in EPD's pilot scheme of using B5 biodiesel fuel on board MD's vessel since 2012 and adopted EPD’s green procurement requirements in the materials supply contracts, coach service contracts and cleansing contracts etc. During the past year, MD has also arranged collection of over 700 waste lead batteries and about 1 047 toner cartridges for recycling.

 MD implements relevant international conventions on marine pollution prevention through the enactment and enforcement of legislation. These conventions include MARPOL the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Co-operation 1990 and the Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000.

 We also work closely with operators of container terminals, mid-stream and river trade operators to preserve a clean and safe environment for sea transport.

 Container terminal operators have also implemented other measures, such as conducting building energy audit on premises, using energy saving equipment, reducing unnecessary light fittings, installing grease traps and oil interceptors in workshops and kitchens, engaging specialised contractors to handle waste disposal, and using electricity-powered cranes and vehicles, and liquefied petroleum gas shuttle buses to reduce air pollution.

 We recognise that the protection of the marine environment is not only important in its own right but also instrumental in enhancing Hong Kong’s position as a world-class port. In the course of port planning and development, we will continue to work with EPD and the Sustainable Development Unit to comply with relevant environmental impacts and sustainability assessment requirements.

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