Environmental, Health and Safety Report 2003 / 04

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Targets and Initiatives for 2004 / 05 and Beyond

In order to pave the way towards sustainable housing, we recognize the need to continually strengthen our environmental, health and safety (EHS) performance. All of our future targets and initiatives shall be underpinned by the principles of sustainable development, and these principles shall be applied in policy development and the planning, design, construction and management of our projects.

We aim to minimize environmental impacts and create a healthy living environment through continued investigation and implementation of energy efficiency options; through the promotion of studies and measures to reduce material use and waste generation, and improve recycling rates in our estates; by encouraging a culture of environmental hygiene and cleanliness in our commercial centres and housing estates; by continuing with our recent initiatives; by improving existing community and construction site safety initiatives; and by working with all of our stakeholders to promote green property management and enhance community awareness of our EHS targets and initiatives.

For the year ahead, we have initially identified 37 EHS initiatives and more are being considered for implementation. Our intention is to learn from past events and be better placed to respond to the challenges ahead.

A summary of our focus for 2004 / 05 and beyond is presented below, with target details presented in Annex C.

To reduce environmental risks on our premises, we will

	Maintain a clean and healthy environment through continued implementation of our various environmental and hygiene schemes.
	Complete our asbestos survey and abatement program.
	Minimize noise nuisance to our residents and the community; and explore quieter construction technology and equipment.
	Replace cast iron soil and waste pipes inside domestic flats; and replace cast galvanized steel water pipes for estates with poor water quality and participate in the Fresh Water Plumbing Quality Maintenance Recognition Scheme.

To energy saving and resources conservation, we will

	Reduce energy consumption in our headquarters and shopping centres.
	Explore more energy saving equipment and measures.
	Reduce water wastage / consumption at construction sites and in estates.
	Continue to minimize timber and cement consumption and increase the use of recycled aggregates in our construction works.

To enhance greening and landscaping, we will

	Improve landscaping and greening in estates and on their slopes.
	Promote residents' involvement in estate greening.

To continue efforts to reduce and recycle waste, we will

	Increase waste reduction efforts at our estates and in our construction works.
	Maintain our research into selective demolition techniques and waste material reuse.
	Continue our recovery of spent fluorescent tubes and bulbs.
	Further encourage and improve upon green practices in our own offices.

To continue to develop environmental knowledge and innovative designs, we will

	Develop a Life Cycle Assessment system to support sustainable building development.
	Continue with "micro-climate" studies for our new buildings to support healthy living.

To improve our safety performance, we will

	Reduce the accident rate for new works to below 30 per 1 000 workers.
	Establish a database to monitor the site safety performance in maintenance works.
	Continue to enhance safe practice in our construction and maintenance works.
	Continue to partner with industry stakeholders to promote construction safety awareness through territory-wide publicity campaigns.

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