Environmental Protection Department's ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2001
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Verification Statement

Purpose of the verification

Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in April 2001, to verify EPD's Environmental Performance Report 2001 (EPR). The purpose of the verification is to provide independent and third party assessment as to the completeness and accuracy of the EPR. The collation and presentation of data in the Report is the responsibility of EPD. HKPC was not involved in any aspect of the preparation or drafting of the EPR.

Scope of the verification

The verification focussed on the following four main areas of the EPR:-

• EPD's Contribution to the Environment

• Impact of EPD's Operations

• Compliance with the Environmental Policy

• Target Setting and Achievements

As part of the verification we have reviewed organisation structures, systems and mechanisms that would be necessary to facilitate the reporting process. We have also sought assurance and evidence that the data and information presented in the EPR has been recorded and analysed in an appropriate and accurate fashion.

The verification process itself involved review and analysis of relevant documents and data and interviews with the associated EPD staff. Verification was based upon information and data in the report pertaining to the calendar year 2000 only. Therefore any information relating to planned activities for the year 2001 was not verified, even if the activities were reported as being undertaken in early 2001.

Data verification and accuracy of the EPR

In our opinion the data presented in the EPR provides an accurate account of EPD's approach to environmental management, in terms of the Department's contribution to the environment through its policy, planning and enforcement activities; as well as the control/minimisation of potential impacts arising from the operation of its laboratories, offices and contract management processes. EPD's systems used to collect, maintain and analyse the data were also found to be effective.

Broad statements based on specific data are included in the EPR. While these statements as well as the data were verified to be correct, it is considered that more specific 'qualification' statements could provide further clarification of the reported issues.

Verification of the completeness of the EPR

In our opinion EPD has presented a comprehensive, fair and balanced disclosure of information on the Department's environmental performance in this second EPR. The EPR covered all of EPD's main environmental aspects including all seven programme areas, legal enforcement activities and compliance, awareness programmes, emergency issues, staff training and development, and is considered to be comprehensive.

Targets for the year 2000 have been accurately reported, clearly indicating that EPD has substantially achieved the targets set for itself for the year 2000. In addition realistic targets have been established during this reporting period for the year 2001.

Comments and recommendations for future Reports

During the verification process we have made a number of observations from which we have formulated the following recommendations for EPD's consideration in the preparation of future Environmental Performance Reports.

In future reports it is suggested that EPD could provide further details of some of the issues and initiatives documented in the report. For example, in some cases the reasons for participation in and undertaking of studies and how the results may be used could be expanded upon. This would provide readers with greater appreciation of the implications and the context of the reported information.

In terms of coverage, the comprehensiveness of the Report is commendable. It is suggested that EPD considers including more information on sustainability in future reports, to further explain how the Department's work contributes to sustainable development in Hong Kong.

Compared with the status of Environmental Reporting internationally, EPD is one of the few Government Departments that publishes an annual Environmental Report that goes beyond the state of the environment and focuses specifically on Departmental environmental performance in terms of the stipulated policies and activities. EPR 2001 follows the same format as the first Report - EPR 2000 and has continued logically where the previous EPR ended. These efforts by the Department are commended and EPD is further encouraged to increase stakeholder involvement during preparation of future reports to:

• ensure that transparency of EPD's policies and activities continues;
• ensure that the reports continue to focus on issues of concern to the local community; and
• maintain the readers' interest and enhance readability of the reports.

Date: 28 June 2001