The New Environment Bureau
In 2007 the Government created a new Environment Bureau (ENB) and for the first time brought policy-making for energy and sustainable development under the same umbrella as environmental protection. These areas are closely related. The energy sector is a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gases, while sustainable development and environmental protection are underpinned by similar goals and principles. The new arrangement enables us to achieve better co-ordination of programmes and policies among all three areas.
The ENB is supported by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), which was established in 1986 and is responsible for policy making and implementation relating to air, environmental assessment and planning, noise, waste and water. It also sets policy on nature conservation. |
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| ENB and EPD headquarters at 46th floor, Revenue Tower. |
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Public Consultations in 2007
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| Mr Benjamin HUNG, Chief Executive Officer of the Standard Chartered Bank (HK) Limited, and colleagues show support for banning idling vehicle engines with Mr Edward YAU, Secretary for the Environment. |
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| The Legislative Council Building. |
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The ENB and EPD conduct public consultations on new programme ideas and issues to gauge the community's views and levels of support. In 2007 we sought feedback on the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags in certain retail outlets, banning idling engines and making Building Energy Codes mandatory. The Council for Sustainable Development also launched a public engagement exercise on Better Air Quality, in which more than 80 000 public responses were received on actions to take during high air pollution days, electronic road pricing, and demand side management of electricity. We also started consulting the public on new Air Quality Objectives.
The results of public consultations help to form new policies, as demonstrated in the energy and water programmes in 2007. The new Scheme of Control Agreements for the power sector were drafted to include incentives for over-achieving the emission caps and penalties for under-achievement. These had been raised as priorities during public consultations in 2005 and 2006. The Legislative Council also approved higher sewage charges in 2007, after a 2004 public consultation found people supported higher charges to fund the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS).
The EPD also continued to encourage project proponents to invite public input on major proposed projects, as far as possible, at the earliest planning stages and throughout their development.
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