ENG-1999 — Page 461

THE ENVIRONMENT

own initiatives, statutory controls being provided to define standards and ensure compliance.

Planning Against Pollution

The past decade has seen many achievements in Hong Kong's efforts to pre-empt environmental problems through the application of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to policy, planning and project proposals. Major development and policy proposals submitted to the Executive Council and all submissions to the Public Works Subcommittee of the Legislative Council's Finance Committee must contain an assessment of the environmental implications.

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance came into effect on April 1, 1998, to formalise and strengthen the existing EIA arrangements. It provides a systematic, clear and transparent framework for assessing the environmental impacts arising from major development projects and for implementing effective prevention and mitigation measures. It is supplemented by a technical memorandum setting out clear, consistent technical guidelines and criteria. Information on applications made under the EIA Ordinance is available at http://www.info.gov.hklepdleia.

Environmental Monitoring and Audit

Environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) has become an integral part of the EIA process to validate the assumptions made in the planning stage and to monitor the effectiveness of prescribed mitigation measures during project implementation. This is to ensure that every project delivers the environmental performance promised in the impact assessments. In 1999, the EPD managed about 109 EM&A programmes for major projects. In late 1998, a pilot scheme on electronic EM&A reporting was commissioned. Early results suggest that it helps to enhance efficiency and shorten the response time of the EM&A process.

Land Use Planning

The EIA process extends into land use planning. The Advisory Council on the Environment considered the results of a strategic environmental assessment of the Territorial Development Strategy Review in 1996. In 1997, the Planning Department began further studies of some strategic growth areas that the review identified. Some studies completed EIAs in 1999, identifying major environmental issues and solutions for integration into more detailed land use plans.

Environmental Sustainability

The assessment of the Territorial Development Strategy showed that continuing urbanisation would be likely to have implications on air and water quality, increase public exposure to noise and overload Hong Kong's waste disposal capacity. While the timely provision of resources and environmental mitigation measures could resolve some of these issues, others may require fundamental reconsideration of the proposals' implications on Hong Kong's long-term sustainability. A Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century began in September 1997. The report, to be produced in early 2000, will recommend how best to deliver a sustainable

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