Chapter 5 - Our Green Performance
To ensure environmentally responsible operations, our green policy in 2006 included energy conservation, paper
conservation, recycling, proper disposal of environmentally hazardous waste and provision of environmental
awareness briefing for all staff.
Being Green
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| Air-conditioning |
| Air-conditioning accounts for the majority of the CAD's electricity consumption. In 2006, we followed a
number of additional steps to reduce the energy used by air-conditioning systems, including: |
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Using Polarised Refrigerant Oil Additives (PROA) to improve efficiency of air conditioning units at some of the outstations |
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Thermostatic control of room temperature to avoid over-use of air-conditioning |
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Switching off all unnecessary units at the Back-up Air Traffic Control Complex (BATCX) |
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| Lighting systems |
| Using lights in a responsible manner is one of the quickest and easiest ways to help care for the environment.
In 2006, we implemented the following measures: |
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Installed energy efficient LED exit signs at the Air Traffic Control Complex and Tower (ATCX/TWR) and BATCX |
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Replaced existing T8 fluorescent light tubes with T5 tubes in our offices at ATCX/TWR and Airport Freight
Forwarding Centre |
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| These new initiatives were in addition to existing measures from previous years, such as not using the
architectural floodlights at BATCX and switching off all unnecessary corridor lights at ATCX/TWR and
BATCX. |
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| In 2007, we will implement the following measures to further save energy : |
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Replacement of outdoor architectural floodlight underneath ATCX/TWR by energy efficient LED light ; |
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Replacement of T8 fluorescent light tubes by energy efficient T5 tubes in the common area, staircases
and plant rooms at ATCX. |
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| Elevators |
| In 2006, we continued to reduce energy consumption by suspending one passenger elevator and one
cargo elevator at ATCX during overnight periods. |
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Results
In 2006, energy consumption at ATCX/TWR fell by 0.12% (Figure 10). This follows a downward trend
in recent years.
Average daily consumption of electricity at BATCX rose 3.56% in 2006 (Figure 11).
| Third-party Property Managers |
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| We regularly discuss energy-saving initiatives with the managers of buildings not owned and operated
by CAD. For instance, at Queensway Government Offices, the management authority now strictly controls air-conditioning and operates its chiller plant on shorter hours, which significantly reduce energy wastage. |
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| In 2006, CAD premises consumed a combined 30,473 kilowatt-hours on an average day. This was a
0.1% increase on 2005, but a 1.4% reduction from that of 2002. |
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| In 2007, we will continue to adhere to our energy-saving policy. |
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Driving Green
All CAD drivers receive training on environmentally-responsible driving practices, and all vehicles are regularly
maintained to ensure that emissions are within an acceptable range.
Buying Green
| Air Traffic Control Equipment6 |
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| In addition to meeting key safety standards, all new air traffic control equipment that we purchase must
also be energy-efficient. For instance, in 2006, about 90% of the Air Traffic Management Systems'
standard cathode-ray-tube (CRT) displays were replaced with sophisticated, low-energy LCD displays. |
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| Environmental considerations are taken into account when procuring goods and services of any description.
Wherever feasible, our tender specifications require operations that emphasise recycling and energyefficiency.
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| In new equipment purchases and tenders in 2007, we'll continue to demand the high levels of energyefficiency
and environmentally responsible operations. |
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| All staff are encouraged on a continuous basis to reduce their paper consumption wherever possible. In addition to double-sided printing and photocopying, our Document Management System enables many announcements
and other important information to be disseminated electronically. |
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| In 2006, we used 6,152 reams of paper (Figure 12), which was a 4.5% reduction on 2005. |
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| In 2007, we'll strive to reduce this figure further, using electronic communication wherever possible and
emphasising the use of recycled materials in any situations that require printed matter. |
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Recycling Initiatives
Our recycling programmes target at waste paper, used CDs and laser printer cartridges, all of which are forwarded
to our suppliers or other designated parties for recycling. The following charts show the volume of materials sent
for recycling in 2006 compared to 2005.
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2005 |
2006 |
| Waste Paper Collection (Kg) |
5,654 |
5,700 |
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2005 |
2006 |
| Used Compact Disc Collection (g) |
10,264 |
20,731 |
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2005 |
2006 |
| Laser Printer Cartridge purchased |
142 units |
278 units |
| Laser Printer Cartridge recycled |
294 units |
362 units |
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| In the year ahead, all staff will be reminded to continue recycling waste paper, used CDs and laser printer
cartridges. We'll also examine whether there are other areas where recycling initiatives are feasible or
appropriate. |
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Environmentally Hazardous Waste
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We operate 13 outstations, all of which are essential to safe air traffic control. In the event that the
mains electricity supply to these outstations is interrupted, they automatically switch to other power supplies,
such as standby diesel generators or battery packs. However, both these alternative power supplies
generate chemical waste that must be disposed of in a safe and appropriate way.
In 2006, our appointed contractor handled all wastes in accordance with statutory requirements.
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In 2007, we will monitor our contractor to ensure continued statutory compliance.
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Both ATCX/TWR and BATCX use sea water for their cooling systems. To ensure minimum environmental
impact from this process, all sea water discharges are monitored for flow rate, temperature, pH value
and residual chlorine under standards set by the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
In 2006, we remained within the prescribed limits. Figures 13-16 show the quality of our discharges
from ATCX/TWR and BATCX respectively.
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* Note: Air-cooled chiller was used in March 2006.
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In 2007, we'll continue working hard to ensure that these discharges remain within the accepted limits.
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Staff Training
In 2006, we worked hard to remind all staff of the importance of environmentally-responsible operations, such
as the need to reduce energy consumption and save paper.
In the year ahead, we'll continue to emphasise our green policies and play our part in helping to protect our
planet's precious natural resources.
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