Environmental, Social and Governance Report 2020-21 34 35 Our Net-Zero Journey Introduction Materiality Environment, Social and Governance Sustainability initiatives ESG frameworks Drivers Procurement Safeguards the Pursuit of Future-Fitness Anticipate the negative impacts that its procured goods and services could be contributing to HKUST’s waste reduction goal focuses on recycling at the end of each product life. However, sometimes unregulated recycling efforts can lead to additional environmental damage, as evidenced by the investigations into electronic burn piles in developing countries. Therefore it is imperative to know that recycled materials are dealt with in an environmentally responsible way throughout the process. For electronics, HKUST partners with ALBA to collect old electrical appliances since they are regulated by the government and have an exceptional and transparent record for materials recovery. Food waste is sent to O-Park, a government-supervised facility, where food waste is turned into energy through anaerobic digestion and composting technologies to recycle separated food waste into biogas and compost. In fact, most appliances and equipment purchased for the university are evaluated based on their energy efficiency through the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) of the Hong Kong Government. On the other hand, for personal IT equipment, TCO Certified is an international third-party sustainability certification which is used by HKUST to evaluate the negative impacts from purchasing IT equipment. Procurement guidelines HKUST encourages purchases of appliances with Energy Label Grade One, and water appliances that achieve “Water Sense” conservation levels as mentioned in the HKUST Sustainability Office Guidelines. Moreover, to encourage sustainable use of materials, HKUST advice departments to buy in bulk to reduce packaging costs and choose environmentally friendly office supplies. HKUST Purchasing Office (PURO) aims to provide professional and high-quality services to assist users in acquiring goods and services required whilst ensuring compliance with the University’s Purchasing and Tendering Regulations and Procedures (PTRP). They ensure public funds are properly spent and obtain goods and services at the best value for money through complying with regulations. HKUST always conduct regular performance check on University’s Suppliers to check whether they have continued poor delivery performance or have not complied with the required delivery schedule. HKUST also adopted few principles to highlight approach towards purchasing decisions that can result in positive and desired outcomes. Grievance Procedures Grievance procedures are developed with the aim at providing for means by which relevant employment-related grievances can be reviewed in an impartial, orderly and timely manner. Staff Grievance in employee handbook provides clear guidance on grievances and disciplinary practices. Whistleblowing Policy Whistleblowing mechanism is in place to enable all stakeholders of the University to raise concerns with the appropriate University authorities against any malpractice within the University. The University adhere Whistle-blowing Policy to ensure University members can raise concerns confidentially and do not tolerate any retaliation against whistle-blowers. Employee Concerns are Actively Solicited, Impartially Judged, and Transparently Addressed
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