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The Environment
monitoring device that transmits real-time data to the EPD Control Centre to allow the authorities to trace any illegal dumping. The department's inspectors conduct frequent patrols of Hong Kong waters to prevent illegal dumping.
Monitoring and Investigation
Assessing the progress made in achieving policy goals is one of the EPD's key activities. The results gained from routine monitoring and special investigations form the basis for much of the department's strategic planning, provision of facilities and statutory controls. The department has 94 sampling stations in marine waters including enclosed bays and typhoon shelters, and another 82 stations for inland waters. It also monitors 41 bathing beaches.
The water quality monitoring programme provides a comprehensive record of the physiochemical and microbiological condition of Hong Kong waters. Annual reports of monitoring data are available on the EPD's website. Water quality of the major marine and river stations is published monthly on the website and gradings of water quality of bathing beaches are published weekly in the media and updated on the department's website and hotline during the bathing season.
Sustainable Development
The Council for Sustainable Development, appointed by the Chief Executive, promotes sustainable development in Hong Kong. In March 2012, the council submitted to the Government its report and recommendations on 'Combating Climate Change: Energy Saving and Carbon Emission Reduction in Buildings, to which the Government promptly responded positively.
Since 2003 the council has invited ten rounds of applications from organisations and individuals for grants from the Sustainable Development Fund to carry out work related to sustainable development. In the first nine rounds, 51 projects were approved, involving grants of over $49 million, and 37 of them have been completed so far.
The Sustainable Development Division oversees the Government's sustainability assessment system, adopted since 2001 to integrate sustainability considerations into the decision-making process. All bureaux and departments must conduct sustainability assessments of their major initiatives and programmes and explain the implications in their submissions to the Policy Committee and Executive Council.
Government Laboratory
The Government Laboratory supports the enforcement of environmental protection legislation and implementation of various environmental programmes through the provision of comprehensive analytical and advisory services. In 2012, numerous tests on environmental samples of air, water, sediment, soil, biota, waste, motor vehicle fuel (including biodiesel) were conducted to furnish various environmental programmes with necessary data. The Government Laboratory also offers testing services for chemicals regulated under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to facilitate government departments in pursuing actions for the HKSAR Implementation Plan.
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