Background and Context

To promote environmentally responsible management within the public sector, the Chief Executive, in his 1998 Policy Objectives, requires all Controlling Officers within the Government to publish reports on their environmental policies and actions starting from the 1999/2000 financial year. This is a logical "next step" following on from the initiation of the Green Manager Scheme in 1994, and the completion of a service-wide training on Environmental Auditing and Environmental Management Systems in 1997. It also ties in with the trend in the private sector, both locally and overseas, to publish environmental reports to demonstrate environmental stewardship and performance in recent years.

The Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau (PELB) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) are providing advice and guidance to Controlling Officers on how to prepare their environmental reports. An initial briefing session for all Controlling Officers was organized in December 1998, followed by a more in-depth seminar in February 1999 to tie in with the publication of this Guide. In the coming years, the PELB and EPD will continue to offer further advice, resource materials and technical guidance to Controlling Officers in their preparation of environmental reports.