THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Management
The Government has been promoting environmental management in both the public and private sectors since 1992. A number of initiatives have been introduced, including the Green Manager Scheme, the adoption of environmental auditing, the environmental management systems (EMS) and environmental reporting. The Government leads by example: all bureaux and departments have appointed their Green Managers; most of them have regular environmental audit programmes; and some have been certified to ISO14001 standard. Starting from 2000, all bureaux and departments are required to publish annual environmental reports on environmental performance in their operations, programmes and policy areas. To encourage wider adoption of this green practice by more local corporations, a special programme targeted at senior executives was conducted in September and a guidebook on environmental performance reporting was published.
Cross-Boundary Liaison on EIA and Environmental Planning
Environmental pollution transcends administrative boundaries. Hong Kong and Guangdong have worked together on environmental matters for more than 18 years. In order to enhance the collaboration, a Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection was set up in 2000. A number of panels were formed under the Joint Working Group to examine specific environmental issues over which co-operation could be enhanced.
On the transboundary air issue, a joint study on air quality problems in the Pearl River Delta region was at its final stage. Hong Kong and Guangdong have agreed to reach a consensus by April 2002 on a plan to implement long-term measures to improve the regional air quality. On the water quality front, based on the Deep Bay regional control strategy study completed in 1998, a joint implementation plan was drawn up in 1999 for both Hong Kong and Shenzhen to reduce pollution loads to acceptable levels within 15 years. A similar two-year control strategy study for Mirs Bay was started in mid-2000. The two sides are also working in collaboration to improve the water quality of the Dongjiang (East River) and in protecting Chinese White Dolphins and fisheries resources.
Rural Developments
The Government is committed to improving the quality of life in rural areas and to ending or removing land uses that degrade the rural environment. Village sewage disposal has also improved in the rural areas of the New Territories.
Potentially Hazardous Installations
Installations such as explosive depots and chemical stores may pose a risk to nearby residents. Hong Kong has had no major disasters but global experience of large-scale accidents highlights the need for risk management.
The Government has completed risk assessments on all potentially hazardous installations in Hong Kong. It has completed or is implementing all its plans for risk reduction and has substantially reduced the risk to the public.
Legislation and Pollution Control
Hong Kong has seven main laws to control pollution. They are the Waste Disposal Ordinance, the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, the Air Pollution Control
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