The architecture for our compliance with environmental protection regulations is embodied in regulatory and selfinitiated programmes that monitor and measure our environmental performance. Noise, water, greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation rank as primary targets for performance tracking.

The urban density of Hong Kong requires stringent noise abatement measures. We are co-operating with the Government to monitor noise levels along our routes to ensure compliance and, as policy, we respond immediately to public complaints with regard to our operations. Internally, our self-monitoring results achieved 97% within the criteria set out under the Noise Control Ordinance . During 2004 no noise abatement prosecutions were brought against the company . Similarly with water consumption, wastage and re-cycling, we monitor usage at more than 150 discharge points and achieved a 97% rate of discharge limits . In 2004, we were compliant with the effluent discharge licenses. In a further move towards improvement, we initiated a programme that substantially reduces water consumption through the introduction of automatic taps at selected rail maintenance stations.

Electricity fuels our operations. As one of our most significant direct operating costs, more efficient management and monitoring to mitigate costs and greenhouse gas emissions are pursued. Traction energy management, installation of platform screen doors in stations and the installation of solid state inverters on the urban line railway cars are some of the significant programmes in progress that have reduced electricity consumption in recent years. Under the Scheme of Control set by the Government, we are restricted in our choice of suppliers, neither of whom generates electricity from renewable sources.