1.       The EPD aims to take account of community concerns and operators' needs when proposing policies and programmes. We engage stakeholders on many levels, as described below. We also submit our policies to the scrutiny of the Legislative Council and the Advisory Council on the Environment, and have frequent contacts with members of both councils. District Councils are also briefed on matters affecting their districts and have been partners in our awareness-raising campaigns.

Engaging the Public

2.       The EPD consults the public on major policies to explain options and invite comments, either through community-wide public consultation or smaller, more focused public engagement workshops. For example:

i.

Public consultation was pursued for the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS). We consulted the public over five months in 2004 and received encouraging feedback. This was reported to the Executive and Legislative Councils in 2005, who generally supported our plans for collecting and treating Victoria Harbour's sewage.

   
ii.

Public engagement workshops were used to seek views on the development of integrated waste management facilities in September 2005. Apart from the general public, various sectors of society, such as community groups, academics, District Councils and property management companies, were invited to discuss waste treatment options. Their opinions will help the Government to formulate an appropriate scheme.

   
iii.

Various channels were employed for collecting public views on the waste strategy proposed under "A Policy Framework for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste (2005-2014)". A dedicated email account was used to receive comments from the public. We also initiated discussions in the Public Affairs Forum administered by the Home Affairs Bureau to obtain views from the general public. An open forum held by the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) provided a platform for direct communication with green groups, recyclers, other interested parties and members of the public.

3.       In addition to consulting the public, we run education programmes to raise community awareness about environmental protection. In 2005 these programmes focused on waste reduction and energy conservation (see Chapter 6 - Part A for details).

Engaging Operators

4.       The EPD communicates directly with operators who are the main targets of our policies. We have formal partnership programmes with the construction industry, restaurants, vehicle repair workshops and property management companies, to provide advice, encourage greener practices and receive feedback on our programmes. In 2005 we reviewed the method for re-assessing the Trade Effluent Surcharge to address the concerns of restaurants and other trades. (see Chapter 6 - Part A for details).

5.       The EPD also works with other operators to develop new policies and programmes. Since 2004 we have worked with suppliers of rechargeable batteries to develop producer responsibility schemes. In 2005 we also worked with two charity groups, St James' Settlement and Caritas, on pilot schemes to recycle computers, and waste electrical and electronic equipment.

6.       Furthermore, User Liaison Groups have been established with key sectors with potentially significant impacts on the environment ¢w government works departments, consultants, contractors, private developers and public corporations. We meet periodically to discuss new developments and issues of concern.

Feedback on our Environmental Performance Report

7.       The EPD is keen to receive feedback on its Environmental Performance Report. Readers can send us their views electronically through an online feedback form or by email. We sent about 250 letters seeking feedback on our 2005 report from key stakeholders, such as academics, private companies, green groups and overseas organisations. We received three responses with positive comments and 11 others with no comment. This year we have simplified the form.
Members of the restaurant trade and EPD attend an experience-sharing seminar on green restaurants.
Members of the restaurant trade and EPD attend an experience-sharing seminar on green restaurants.