Climate Change Corner

Managing our Hoofprint

With a vision to combat global climate change, the Hong Kong Jockey Club extends its contribution further from contributing the well-being of the local community to minimizing its environmental impact. Over the past few years, effort has been redoubled to manage its hoofprint in Hong Kong. The implementation of such efforts was strongly supported by well-established environmental policies and sustainability guidelines, which assure that best practice of sustainability can be taken into full consideration in daily operations and setting further objectives.

In 2010/11, the total greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 5.2% on 2009/10. One of the major sources of reduction was from indirect emissions from electricity. The switch from air-cooled to water-cooled air-conditioning systems for some plants running in the clubhouses, data centre and the Headquarters reduced 40% of the electricity. Other energy-saving measures include replacing all incandescent lamps with energy-efficient company fluorescent lamps in offices and kitchens; using BMS to automate facility control, and also installing variable speed controls for headquarters and clubhouse kitchen ventilation systems.

Apart from property, more effort is spent in reducing vehicular energy consumption and carbon emission. All diesel vehicles are now Euro IV certified while vehicles purchased from September 2011 is Euro V. Biodiesel (B5) is now used as an alternative to diesel for water trucks, tractors and machinery, and for stand-by generators at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses. The entire fleet of golf carts is now powered by solar energy. They also took delivery of an electric car (iMiEV), the first electric car to be certified for use on Hong Kong roads, saving 2,500 litres of petrol. Many other measures include reducing materials and resources, adopting green procurement guidelines and responsible waste manage.

In long term, the Club has an overall objective to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. Specifically this will include:

-  Reduction of carbon and energy intensity by 20% by 2015 vs base year 2009

-  Replacement of high-carbon resources and materials with lower-impact alternatives through green purchasing

-  Zero waste in the office

======

This article is contributed by Dr. Shelley Zhou of Hong Kong Jockey Club with the co-ordination of the Environmental Division.