Glossary
Accident An accident that results in incapacity of more than one day.
Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM) Plus Existing Buildings (EB) BEAM Plus for Existing Buildings was launched since 2010. It is a rating tool to measure the actual performance of a building and evaluates its facility management practices. The assessment covers all aspects of management, operation and maintenance, and may be initiated at any time during a building’s operational life. For more details, please visit https://www.hkgbc.org.hk/eng/EB_Intro.aspx
Bow-tie Hazard Analysis Bow-tie diagrams are an effective tool for communicating risk assessment results. The diagrams clearly display the links between the potential causes, preventative and mitigating controls and consequences of a major incident.
Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2-e) The universal unit of measurement to indicate the global warming potential (GWP) of each of the six greenhouse gases, expressed in terms of the GWP of one unit of carbon dioxide. It is used to evaluate releasing (or avoiding releasing) different greenhouse gases against a common basis.
Carbon footprint repository Developed by the Environment Bureau, carbon footprint repository enables listed companies in Hong Kong to disclose their carbon footprints and share successful stories on carbon management and practices.

Website: www.carbon-footprint.hk

Carbon Reduction Charter The Carbon Reduction Charter was launched by the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government in July 2008. Supporting organisations signed the charter as ‘Carbon Audit • Green Partner’, undertaking the carrying out of activities that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change It refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.
Coalbed methane (CBM) CBM is simply methane found in coal seams. It is generated either from a biological process as a result of microbial action or from a thermal process as a result of increasing heat with the depth of the coal.
Coke oven gas A by-product of the coal-making and steelmaking process.
Combined heat and power (CHP) CHP is a form of distributed energy supply system. It captures waste heat produced during on-site electricity generation, and converts it into usable steam and hot water.
Energy Saving Charter The Energy Saving Charter was launched by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government in 2012. Supporting organisations signed the charter, undertaking the carrying out of activities that will help to conserve energy.
Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) reporting framework The GRI reporting framework is intended to provide a generally accepted framework for reporting on an organisation’s economic, environmental, and social performance. The Framework consists of the sustainability reporting guidelines, the indicator protocols, technical protocols and sector supplements.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) GHG is a gaseous constituent of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorbs and emits radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere and clouds. GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O). hydrofluorocarbons (HFCS), perfluorcarbons (PFCS) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
International Safe Workplace Program (ISWP) ISWP under the framework of the World Health Organization (WHO) Safe Community initiative aims to ensure the best practices of proven injury prevention programs are applied to protect the safety and health of employees and any person affected by the activities in workplace environment. A workplace will be designated as a WHO 'International Safe Workplace' if the seven ISWP indicators are met.
ISO 9001 ISO 9001 is published by the International Organisation for Standardisation. It specifies the requirements for quality management systems, providing assurance with regard to the ability to satisfy quality requirements and enhance customer satisfaction in supplier-customer relationships.
ISO 14001 ISO 14001 is published by the International Organisation for Standardisation. It stipulates the requirements for environmental management systems, to enable an organisation to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects.
ISO 14064-1 The ISO 14064-1 standard is published by the International Organisation for Standardisation. It specifies principles and requirements at the organisation level for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. It includes requirements for the design, development, management, reporting and verification of an organisation’s GHG inventory.
ISO 55001 ISO 55001 is published by the International Organisation for Standardisation. It specifies the requirements for the establishment, implementation, maintenance and improvement of a management system for asset management. It can be applied to all types of assets and by all types and sizes of organizations.
Naphtha Naphtha normally refers to a number of different flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons, i.e. a distillation product from petroleum or coal tar boiling in a certain range and containing certain hydrocarbons. It is a broad term encompassing any volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture.
OHSAS 18001 OHSAS 18001 is an Occupation Health and Safety Assessment Series for health and safety management systems. It helps organisations control their occupational health and safety risks.
Polyethylene (PE) Polyethylene is a plastic material which is increasingly being used in the manufacturing of gas transportation pipes.
Salt cavern Salt cavern storage involves a series of caverns leached out of the deep, thick layers of rock salt. It is created by injecting water to dissolve the salt which is then extracted in the form of brine. It offers a good underground storage for oil, natural gas and other related-resources.
Social enterprise A social enterprise is a business whose ultimate mission is to achieve a social objective. Revenues generated from the business are used to support the enterprise’s operations and social mission without the need to depend on subsidies or donations.
Sustainability report Sustainability reporting is the practice of measuring, disclosing, and being accountable for organisational performance while working towards sustainable development. Sustainability reports aim to provide a balanced and reasonable representation of the sustainability performance of the reporting organisation, including both positive and negative contributions.
Environmental, Social & Governance Reporting Guide (ESG Guide) The ESG Guide published by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) is set out in Appendix 27 to the Main Board Listing Rules (Appendix 20 to the GEM Listing Rules). This Guide comprises two levels of disclosure obligations: (a) “comply or explain” provisions; and (b) recommended disclosures, and is organised into two ESG subject areas: Environmental and Social. The listed companies respond to this Guide by disclosing ESG information.

Website: http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/rulesreg/listrules/listsptop/esg

The Hong Kong Green Purchasing Charter The Hong Kong Green Purchasing Charter was launched by the Green Council in October 2007 to promote green purchasing in the community.