EMSD launched the Environmental Management System (EMS) project in 1999, shortly after the establishment of Quality Management System (QMS). We received the ISO 14001 Corporate Certificate in 2000, and in the same year we also formalised our Safety Management System for achieving OHSAS 18001 Corporate Certification in 2001.

Building on this experience, we have now decided to unite the quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety aspects of our operations into a single Integrated Management System (IMS). Our goal is to strengthen our commitment to these vital areas of our operation within 2002.

This report details what we have accomplished over the past year. With regard to Government environmental initiatives, we help promulgate and implement energy efficiency programmes. In 2001, we have completed the target of conducting 154 energy audits in major government and public buildings. With the implementation of improvement work for all the Energy Management Opportunities (EMOs) identified, we estimate a cumulative energy savings of approximately 46 Tera Joules (TJ) per year had been achieved. Our active involvement in building the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) filling station infrastructure for the LPG vehicles scheme has helped to accelerate the changeover of diesel taxis to LPG models. At the end of 2001, there were a total of 19 LPG filling stations in operation and over 14,100 LPG taxis on the road. Another 26 LPG filling stations are scheduled to be in operation by the end of this year.

With regard to our own housekeeping, we have strived to comply with all environmental requirements. Moreover, we believe that compliance is a starting point and that continuous improvement through the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” principle of the Environmental Management System implemented in 2000 is vital for our contribution towards sustainable development. Looking ahead, there will be many changes and challenges to the Department with respect to our triple role, namely as corporate citizen, regulatory authority and service provider. Notwithstanding these, we pledge that our commitment to environmental performance will remain undiminished.