CHAPTER 21
The Environment
COMMUNITY attitudes towards the environment changed significantly in 1999. There was a growing appreciation that the measures taken over the past decade tended to treat the symptoms rather than the causes of Hong Kong's environmental problems. The rapid population and economic growths forecast for the coming years indicate clearly that the 'end-of-pipe' solutions to pollution will not be sufficient.
In place of the traditional approach, it is necessary to integrate environmental objectives with economic and social objectives under the sustainable development concept. Under this concept all major policy programmes, initiatives and measures are assessed for their impact on the sustainability of society and the environment.
The Administrative Framework
The abolition of the provisional municipal councils on December 31, 1999, provided an opportunity to reorganise the institutional framework to encourage these essential developments. Up until the end of the year the Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau of the Government Secretariat had overall policy responsibility for the environment. It received professional support from several government departments and advice from the Advisory Council on the Environment, which represents broad community interest.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) provides advice on policy, vets environmental planning and assessment findings, enforces and reviews environmental laws, plans and develops facilities for liquid and solid waste disposal and promotes environmental management systems and audit. The EPD also promotes environmental awareness in the community.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Department* is the main agency for nature and wildlife conservation. It designates and manages country parks, which cover some 40 per cent of Hong Kong's land area, and marine parks. The department also identifies and protects important conservation areas, enforces the law to protect wildlife and plants, and examines ecological aspects of environmental impact and planning studies. It promotes public awareness of nature conservation.
The Planning Department plans future land use and controls developments throughout Hong Kong. The Drainage Services Department, assisted by the Territory Development Department, designs, builds, operates and maintains sewerage and sewage treatment facilities. The Civil Engineering Department provides outlets
* The department has been renamed the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department with effect from January 1, 2000.
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