ENG 307 Environmental The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

ENG 307 Environmental The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hot topics • Expansion the city's three landfills • Landfills are releasing liquid waste • replacement of pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles • Municipal Solid Waste Charging Public Engagement Process • Heavy smog in Beijing • Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in Japan The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Price for re-cycle The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental Dimension • What are the responsibilities of engineers with regard to the environmental protection? • Should environmental degradation, which is not involving endangers to human health, be a matter of professional ethics or personal ethics? • Discuss the “Limiting Growth” and “Unlimited Growth” environmental views • How can engineers ensure economic growth is sustainable? The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Do you know • • Three R’s How environmental friendly are you? Do you BYOB How many plastic bags are wasted in Hong Kong in a year before the Levy? • Any environmental friendly/unfriendly policies in Poly. U? http: //www. factmonster. com/ipka/A 0775891. html The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Did you follow the three R’s When was the last time that you make use of the recycle bins? The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The basic law • Article 119 – “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall formulate appropriate policies to promote and coordinate the development of various trades such as manufacturing, commerce, tourism, real estate, transport, public utilities, services, agriculture and fisheries, and pay regard to the protection of the environment. ” The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Rules of conduct of HKIE • Rule 1 Responsibility to the Profession • A member of the Institution shall order his conduct so as to uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the Profession. • In pursuance of this rule a member shall … – 1. 4 take reasonable steps to avoid damage to the environment and the waste of natural resources … The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental Dimension • WHY? • Environmental Protection – is essential to pursue a sustainable future • HOW • Environmental Awareness … is to recognize the need for environmental protection in our daily life The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental Dimension “Environmental management should become, where it is not already the case, one of the highest management priorities of business”. World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 1996. “Trade and Environment : a Business Perspective” The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental dimension • Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental Dimension -strategies to establish (business) competitive advantage 1980 s and 1990 s 21 st Century • cost leadership • differentiation • quality & customers’ satisfaction • long-term cost leadership • differentiation in favour of green products and practices • quality & stakeholders’ satisfaction • environmental performance of cities, firms, products or services The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Definition • cost leadership – the lowest cost of operation in the industry • Differentiation – the process of distinguishing a product or offering from others, to make it more attractive to a particular target market The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Cost leader or Differentiation The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sustainable • Why environmental issues always related to sustainability? • What is sustainable development? The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental Issues Sustainable Development is often defined as: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” World Commission on Economic Development. (1987). Our Common Future. England : Oxford University Press. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sustainable development in HK • finding ways to increase prosperity and improve the quality of life while reducing overall pollution and waste; • meeting our own needs and aspirations without doing damage to the prospects of future generations; and • reducing the environmental burden we put on our neighbours and helping to preserve common resources. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sustainability What is Sustainability? (World Summit on Sustainable Development brochure, 2002) Three components: 1. Economic Growth foster responsible long-term growth while ensuring that no nation or community is left behind. 2. Conserving Natural Resources and the Environment for future generations, reduce the consumption of resources, stop pollution and conserve natural habitats. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sustainability 3. Social Development • Throughout the world, people need jobs, food, education, energy, health care, water and sanitation. • People also need respect for cultural and social diversity and the rights of workers. • All members of society need a role in determining their futures. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sustainable Engineering Development Environmental sustainability Environment Economic Society Economic sustainability Society sustainability Human Well-being The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

A different definition • Still 3 components – Eco – Techno – Social The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Three dimensions of sustainability Eco-centric concerns Natural resources & ecological capacity Sust -ainbility Socio-centric Techno-centric concerns human capital Socio-centric Techno-centric concerns Techno-economic systems human capital & social expectations Techno-economic & social systems expectations Source: The Royal Academy of Engineering, “Engineering for Sustainable Development: guiding principles” The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Eco-centric concerns Sustainable Natural resources & Socio-centric development becomes ecological capacity Techno-centric concerns more common concerns human capital Techno-economic & social systems expectations

Sustainability • Techno-centric – represent human skill – Skills that engineers must continue to deploy • Eco-centric – represent the ability of the planet to sustain us with material and energy resources • Socio-centric – represent human expectations and aspirations – The needs of human beings to live worthwhile lives The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sustainability • Sustainability – meeting all 3 sets of constraints • Sustainable development is the process of moving to that region • All parties must work together!!!! The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Engineering for sustainable development • • • Living within environmental limits Ensuring a strong healthy and just society Achieving a sustainable economy, Promoting good governance Using sound science responsibly Source: The Royal Academy of Engineering, “Engineering for Sustainable Development: guiding principles”, http: //www. raeng. org. uk/events/pdf/Engineering_for_Sustainable_Development. pdf The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Engineers and sustainable development • Engineers will still be called on to design and manage complex systems, or simple systems to meet complex sets of demands. • Sustainable development redefines the contexts within which these skills must be deployed. Source: The Royal Academy of Engineering, “Engineering for Sustainable Development: guiding principles” The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sustainable • Why related to engineer/engineering? • Engineers lead processes of making decisions about the use of material, energy and water resources, the development of infrastructure, the design of new products and so on. • Engineers must recognise and exercise their responsibility to society as a whole, which may sometimes conflict with their responsibility to the immediate client or customer. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Engineers and sustainable development • It is a new integrative principle, not a new set of tools, so that the concept cannot simply be regarded as an ‘add-on’ to existing engineering skills and educational programmes. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

How Engineer Can Help • Steps of an engineering development cycle 1. Determine Objectives: Product definition, determine business objectives and constraint 2. Evaluate Alternatives: Risk analysis and prototyping 3. Develop Product: Detailed design, code, unit test and integration 4. Planning the Next Round: Customer evaluation, design planning, implementation, and customer delivery The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Design cycle for sustainability • Framing the requirements – Feasibility study • Scoping the decision – Project definition study • Planning and design – Detailed design stage • Implementation, delivery and operations • End of usable life The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Framing the requirements • Defining the need or desired outcome for a new product or service, • Describing the issue, problem or challenge to be tackled in its general context and – very important – agreeing the boundaries to the decision-making. • Determined through a Feasibility Study or an early stage design process The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Scoping the decision • carefully constructed descriptions of the problem(s) to be solved or challenge(s) to be met, • Agree on the aims and objectives for the project and for the engineering decisions to be made. These outcomes may be achieved through a formal Project Definition Study • A life-cycle approach will generate the greatest benefit The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Planning and detailed design • Involves the creation of solutions, product or infrastructure designs that meet all the requirements – fitness for purpose, safety, quality, value for money, etc • minimisation of adverse environmental and social impacts, the enhancement of the environment where possible, and the enhancement of quality of life for consumers, workers and neighbours alike. • A substantial challenge for engineering designers but one that can be delivered for society’s benefit. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Implementation, delivery and operations • involves the practical realisation of the design into, for example, a real physical product, creation of new infrastructure etc • Earlier sustainable approaches are extremely vulnerable at this stage to being overturned through short-sighted responses to unforeseen difficulties and resource constraints, such as cost reduction The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

End of usable life • The returning of resources for further use, or for re-absorption into the environment, through reuse, recycling or disposal, is a crucial element of sustainable development The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Linking the stages to the guiding principles The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Design Consideration § Select hazardous-free materials • Avoid the use of toxic or hazardous materials • Avoid ozone-depleting substances • Select recycled and recyclable materials Examples Aluminum is often recycled into soft drink cans and steel is used for construction materials and automobile manufacturing BPA free water bottle The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Design § Design for energy efficiency § Aim for maximum efficiency § Car with smaller engine § Computer has energy efficiency software § Design for durability • Identify and eliminate potential weak points • Design for easy maintenance and repair • LED lighting The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Design § Design for upgradability • Design to allow new modules or functions to be added • Operating system of mobile phone can be upgraded • Computer can add memory module or additional hard disk The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Design Consideration • • • Design for remanufacturing (similar to design for recycle-ability) - Parts should be standardised and can be interchangeable Design for metal recovery - Increase use of metals (recycling rare earth) - Specify use of materials with recycled content Design for plastics recovery - Consolidate parts - Reduce the number of assembly operations The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Examples • http: //www. informationweek. com/news/206 503216 • Examples of eco friendly products • Rumidifier The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Role of An Engineer (HKIE) • Take reasonable steps to avoid damage to the environment and the waste of natural resources. • Seek to assess the environmental consequences of work for which he/she is responsible and to influence events so as to prevent or minimize damage to, and if practicable to improve, the environment. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Role of An Engineer • Strive to create through their projects a healthy and agreeable outdoor and indoor environment; • Aim to minimize the use of non-renewable resources, to conserve energy and to minimize the generation of waste; • Consider and take into account the consequences of any proposal upon public health and local custom; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Role of An Engineer • Assess the impacts of their proposals upon the environment, and select options that will ensure sustainable development; • Consider and explain in their proposals the measures required to protect and improve the environment; • Promote the concepts of interdependence of ecosystems, maintenance of the diversity of species, resource replacement and recovery, and sustainable development; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Role of An Engineer • Seek to balance costs with benefit to the environment and human society, achieving the best option for the environment by using the best available technology and techniques without involving excessive costs. • Encourage management to follow positive environmental policies by recognizing that a ‘statement of intent’ is insufficient to comply with the law. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental Laws in Hong Kong • Water Pollution Control Ordinance (1980) • Waste Disposal Ordinance (1980) • Air Pollution Control Ordinance (1983) • Noise Control Ordinance (1988) • Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (1997) • Hazardous chemicals control ordinance (2008) • Product eco-responsibility ordinance (from 7 July 09, plastic shopping bags) More details: http: //www. gov. hk/en/residents/environment/business/laws. htm The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Examples • Noise control ordinance • Percussive piling: – Requires a construction noise permit – 0700 -1900 on non-holidays – Banned during other times The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Commercial noise The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Noise ordinance • Penalty – Maximum fine of $100, 000 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental impact assessment ordinance • 環境影響評估條例 (EIA) • The EIA Ordinance was in effect in 1998. The ordinance aims to avoid, minimise and control the adverse impact on the environment of designated projects through the EIA process and the environmental permit The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Offences and penalties • Penalty – maximum $2, 000 and 6 month imprisonment • second offence: maximum fine of $5 million and maximum imprisonment of 2 years; and • continuing offence: maximum fine of $10, 000 per day. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

EIA report • Many cases EIA report are being challenged in court – Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge – Lung Mei beach – Incinerator project The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Guiding Principles of engineering for sustainable development • A set of 12 guiding principles – Look beyond your own locality and the immediate future – Innovate and be creative – Seek a balanced solution – Seek engagement from all stakeholders – Make sure you know the needs and wants • Want a car but need transportation – Plan and manage effectively The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Guiding Principles of engineering for sustainable development • A set of 12 guiding principles – Give sustainability the benefit of any doubt – If polluters must pollute… then they must pay as well – Adopt a holistic, ‘cradle-to-grave’ (whole life-cycle) approach – Do things right, having decided on the right thing to do – Beware cost reductions that masquerade as value engineering – Practice what you preach. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Environmental Protection … is a business of all of us. It is for you, and for further generation. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Or The Day After Tomorrow? The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

What can be included in your bullet points • Your “project” applying any sustainable development measures? • Environmental problems caused by the project – Sources – Pollution – Waste • The project’s measure to protect the environment – Any recycle policy The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Discussion • Why it is difficult to change people’s mindset to be more environmental friendly? • Why company is not willing to adopt sustainable development? The Hong Kong Polytechnic University