ENG-2013 — Page 295

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The Environment

The government follows a set of environmental quality objectives for better protection of public health and to preserve a natural ecosystem. The cost of imposing limits on polluting emissions is no higher than that needed to achieve conservation goals, which include making maximum use of the environment's natural capacity to absorb and recycle waste.

The EPD works with the construction, catering, vehicle repair, and property management sectors and other trades to promote good practices and compliance with environmental regulations. The EPD runs a Compliance Assistance Centre where businesses may obtain updated information and advice on environmental compliance, pollution prevention and environmental management.

In 2013, EPD inspectors made over 58,600 visits to different locations around Hong Kong to enforce controls on air, noise, waste and water pollution and to deal with complaints about pollution, resulting in 424 prosecutions and about $4.1 million in fines.

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (the Stockholm Convention) and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (the Rotterdam Convention) apply in Hong Kong. The Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance regulates via a permit system the import, export, manufacture and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals, including those subject to the regulation of the Stockholm Convention and the Rotterdam Convention.

Pollution Prevention

The government applies an environmental assessment process to policy planning and project proposals. Development and policy proposals submitted to the Executive Council that involve environmental issues and all submissions to the Public Works Subcommittee of the Legislative Council's Finance Committee must contain assessments of environmental implications.

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance provides a transparent and systematic framework for assessing the environmental impact of designated projects and for identifying mitigating measures if needed. The EPD also promotes continuous public participation in the EIA process. As at 31 December 2013, 181 EIA reports had been approved since the ordinance was implemented.

Environmental Monitoring and Auditing

The environmental monitoring and auditing process seeks to validate the assumptions made in the planning stage of development projects and monitors the effectiveness of mitigation measures to ensure every project meets the environmental performance promised in the EIA. In 2013, the EPD handled 111 monitoring and auditing programmes for major projects. As required by environmental permits, these projects must set up dedicated websites to publish the results and data obtained from the environmental monitoring and auditing process.

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