Environmental Performance Report 2006

2005 was a landmark year for the EPD. We merged with the environment arm of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, keeping our name while streamlining our work and expanding our responsibilities. Environmental policy-making and implementation are now under one roof, which should make us more effective in addressing environmental concerns. We have also taken on policy-making responsibility for nature conservation and energy conservation, which are closely related to the environment.

The merger came into effect on 1 April 2005 and, like any major change, provided an opportunity for the department to reflect on its priorities and effectiveness. One important outcome has been a sharper focus on the polluter pays principle. Polluter pays will be essential to the successful management and control of solid and liquid wastes, two areas requiring urgent attention and investment by the community. As you will read in this report, we are striving to educate the public and develop the application of polluter pays in Hong Kong.

Making polluters pay is a complex issue because there are social and economic impacts, as well as environmental ones. The EPD is keenly aware that such sustainability considerations underpin much of our work. We have attempted to reflect that awareness in this report, which has been re-vamped to make it more concise and incorporate some of the guiding principles of sustainability reporting. The coverage of our internal operations, for example, reflects such diverse achievements as our success in reducing paper and electricity consumption in 2005 despite the merger and increased responsibilities, and in maintaining a commendable record on worker safety.

We are continually seeking ways to improve our sustainability performance. I cordially invite readers to share their comments and suggestions on our performance and this report through the on-line feedback form included in this report or by e-mail at enquiry@epd.gov.hk.

Dr Michael T L Chiu, JP
Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment)/
Director of Environmental Protection
(Acting)


	Scope of Report


	Vision and Strategy


	Organisation and Governance


	Stakeholder Engagement


	Sustainability at EPD – Economic Impacts


	Sustainability at EPD – Social Impacts


	Progress on Year 2005 Targets


	Targets for 2006

Sustainability at EPD – Environmental Impacts

Part A
Environmental Impacts of Policies and Programmes

Part B
Environmental Impacts of Internal Operations

Appendix I – Environmental Policy

Appendix II – EPD Offices and Facilities

Appendix III – Environmental performance reports of government bureaux/departments and agencies