4.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE REPORT (CONTINUED)
OUR COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP (Continued)
a.
Energy and Climate Change Mitigation (Continued)
Our ongoing commitment to enhancing our performance combined with the implementation of new initiatives during the reporting year resulted in decreases in the Group's overall energy intensity and GHG intensity by 3.5% and 3.7%, respectively, as compared to 2017. Moving forward, we will continue to identify energy-saving opportunities to further augment our sustainability performance.
b.
Air Quality Improvement
C.
Fulfilling our "Loving Hong Kong and the Harbour" core value means making every effort to maintain the air quality of the region and the shared community around it. Recognising our operational impacts associated with air emissions, we go beyond the statutory requirements and adopt appropriate technologies to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. We have been supporting the Hong Kong Government to enhance local air quality for more than 10 years. As early as 2007, The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited participated in a trial of ultra-low sulphur diesel on a voluntary basis, 7 years before the mandatory cap on sulphur content of 0.05% in diesel. To reduce our key air pollutant emissions including nitrogen oxides (“NOx”), sulphur oxides ("SOX") and particulate matter ("PM"), we launched a replacement programme for all generators and engines on-board our ferries. Although the programme was completed in 2016 with a total of 13 generators and 10 engines replaced with more environmentally-friendly alternatives, we still maintain an on- going exploration of ways to optimise the environmental performance of our vessels. Additionally, looking for opportunities to extend our air quality initiatives beyond the harbour, we upgraded a road vehicle to the new EURO VI emission standard this year for better roadside air quality.
Water Conservation
Recognising fresh water as a precious and limited natural resource, we endeavour to implement water- efficient measures in our operations. As our daily cleaning procedures at our shipyard have the potential to be water-intensive, we have provided all our workers with proper training on waterjet applications to enhance water efficiency. Moreover, we installed automatic water faucets and water-saving aerators in the restrooms at the Principal Office and the Harbour Cruise - Bauhinia.
2
With a maximum sulphur content of 0.005%
Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited
51
Annual Report 2018