Environmental Measures of
Construction / Renovation Activities on Campus
A.
Purpose
This paper summarizes the current environment measures at CUHK and measures
agreed in the USCE meeting held on 15th April 2005 to safeguard the environment
related to on campus construction and renovation activities.
It is believed that a well defined line of responsibilities and a set of well thought-out
procedures will facilitate environmental compliance for building a green campus.
B.
Current Practices
Currently, there are three offices responsible for preventing environment problems
arising from construction / renovation activities on campus. Their existing duties of
various offices are as follows:
CDO
- requires the contractors to strictly follow the laws of H.K. including
environmental clauses in the contract;
-
inform the contractors of applicable environmental guidelines (Appendix A); &
requires the contractors to submit noise and waste management plan.
EMO
- requires the contractors to strictly follow the laws of H.K. including
environmental clauses in the contract;
- inform the contractors the need to comply with the environmental guidelines; and
- applies for noise permits, as and when necessary, from EPD for after-office-hour
works at offices and academic buildings.
USEO
- keeps an eye on relevant environmental laws;
- maintain and update the environmental guidelines;
- conducts site inspections (Appendix B);
- monitors the environmental quality; and
- handles and investigates environmental complaints.
1
C.
Outstanding Issues
There are a number of soft spots in the current set of procedures which call for
additional measures for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Most arise from the
lack of clarity on:





Role of USCE and its Chairperson
Time frame and authority to vet noise and waste management plans
Conditions which may entail in stoppage of work
Procedures to handle complaints from members of CU
Appeal mechanism regarding stoppage order
D.
Measures to Safeguard the Environment Related to Construction /
Renovation Activities
1.
The USEO should keep their eyes on the HKARS Environmental Laws and
maintain the environmental guidelines.
The project proponent should require the contractors to strictly follow the laws of
H.K. including environmental laws and the environmental guidelines in the
contract.
Notice should be sent to the Environmental Officer of USEO at least 14 days
before commencement of the construction / renovation works. The details of this
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
notice will also be uploaded to the USCE website for information.
The Environmental Officer will prepare quarterly summary reports to the
Chairman of USCE about the overall work progress on campus.
An Environmental Management Plan with appropriate environmental measures
and monitoring programme should be proposed by the relevant contractor and
submitted to the USEO or its designated Environmental Officer for comment and
endorsement.
The Environmental Officer will, if necessary, discuss the
practicability and efficacy of these measures with the contractor(s) before the
commencement of works.
During the works, the contractor(s), sub-contractor(s) and worker(s) should strictly
comply with the applicable environmental laws and environmental guidelines and
minimize the environmental impacts by implementing all environmental measures
contained in the approved environmental management plan.
The Environmental Officer will conduct surveillance inspection to check whether
the measures are sufficient and effective in controlling the related pollution(s).
Abatement Notices will be issued to urge the contractor(s) to correct and prevent
the non-compliance. The Environmental Officer will inform the staff of relevant
2
offices such as CDO / EMO on any non-compliance with copies to Chairperson of
USCE.
8. If the contractor cannot rectify any non-compliance within the stipulated time
frame, the USEO should inform the Chairperson of USCE who may, having regard
to the recommendation of USEO and all information before him/her issue a stop
work order.
9. Any party which feels aggrieved by the stop work order may appeal to AAC to
review the stoppage order. AAC may uphold, revert or modify the stop work
order.
10. An Environmental Hotline will be maintained by USEO to handle any complaint
related to construction / renovation.
The Environmental Officer should
investigate and settle the case and provide a summary report all such cases to
USCE.
11. The contractor should inform the Environmental Officer in case of any complaint,
EPD visit, environmental communication with government departments, etc.
3