ENG-1999 — Page 462

THE ENVIRONMENT

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development system which will integrate environmental, economic and social considerations in the decision-making progress on government policies.

Environmental Management

To set a good example for the private sector, the Government established a Green Manager Scheme in 1992 to implement a programme of green housekeeping measures within departments including waste minimisation, waste recovery and energy conservation. More recently, the Government has promoted more widespread adoption of environmental auditing', environmental management systems2 (EMS) and environmental reporting in the public and private sectors. From the 1999-2000 financial year, all government bureaux and departments will have to publish annual Controlling Officer's Environmental Reports.

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 16 years. The Hong Kong Guangdong Environmental Protection Liaison Group (EPLG) was set up in 1990 to deal with environmental problems of mutual concern. The level of co-operation has intensified recently as a result of both the constitutional change and growing concern about the environment on both sides of the boundary. To better co- ordinate the efforts of both sides, a Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection will be set up in 2000.

Under the EPLG, joint studies on environmental management and protection of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay were conducted and action plans formulated. The action plans were endorsed by the Hong Kong Guangdong-Cooperation Joint Conference in September 1998. Half-yearly audits have been carried out to check compliance with the plans. Based on the Deep Bay regional control strategy study completed in 1998, the EPLG has looked into further control measures for the Deep Bay catchment. A joint study on air quality problems in the Pearl River Delta region has commenced for completion by 2001. Expert groups have also been set up to study the protection of Chinese White Dolphins and fisheries resources. Seminars were organised by the EPLG in September 1998 and July 1999 to promote discussion and sharing of experience in waste management and marine dredging/dumping respectively.

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.

A task force to clean up environmentally degraded areas in the New Territories was set up in 1994. Its initial focus was on the Pat Heung and Ha Tsuen areas, paying particular attention to black spots associated with container operations. More recently it has helped co-ordinate clean-up operations of illegally dumped construction waste.

1 a management tool which comprises a systematic, documented, periodic and objective evaluation of the environmental impact of an organisation's operation and any action it has undertaken to mitigate the impact. 2 EMS is part of the overall management system for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy of an organisation.