Environmental Performance Report 2007
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| Contents
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| Foreword
| Chapter 1 Scope of Report
| Chapter 2 Vision and Strategy
| Chapter 3 Organisation and Governance
| Chapter 4 Stakeholder Engagement
| Chapter 5 Sustainability at EPD ¡V Economic Impacts
| Chapter 6 Sustainability at EPD ¡V Environmental Impacts
| Chapter 6 - Part A Environmental Impacts of Policies and Programmes
| Chapter 6 - Part B Environmental Impacts of Internal Operations
| Chapter 7 Sustainability at EPD ¡V Social Impacts
| Chapter 8 Targets - Progress review and setting for 2007
| Appendix I Environmental Policy
| Appendix II EPD Offices and Facilities
| Appendix III Environmental performance reports of government bureaux/departments and agencies
| Verification Statement
| Feedback Form
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Verification Statement
BMT Asia Pacific Limited (BMT) was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to benchmark and verify the contents of the Department's web-based Environmental Performance Report 2007 (EPR 2007). The Report describes the environmental, as well as social and economic performance of EPD during the calendar year of 2006.
Objectives
The verification intends to provide EPD's stakeholders with an external assurance of the accuracy and completeness of information presented in the Report.
This Statement is issued based on:
- Independent third party opinion - BMT was not involved in any aspects of the preparation of Report; and
- The findings of a verification process that involved validation of a representative selection of data and claims, checking of data collection mechanisms and information management systems, assessment of the report's comprehensiveness, and identification of areas to improve EPD's reporting process.
Approach
During the verification process, a series of interviews covering data review sessions was held between 14th May and 21st May of 2007 with EPD's divisional representatives including senior professional and technical staff. BMT reviewed the selected claims and reported figures, examined and checked supporting data and documented evidence, as well as data collation systems. Where further investigation was necessary to confirm claims, additional information was requested and reviewed.
A benchmarking exercise was also conducted in parallel to identify possible areas for future improvement in the annual environmental performance reporting. Local and international reports, reference guidelines and standards were adopted for the benchmarking, in which results would be provided in the form of the recommendations and areas for further improvement.
Results and Commentary
Report Accuracy
- The claims made in EPR 2007 examined by BMT represent an accurate account of EPD's actions and performance in 2006. For some minor outstanding claims and figures that were deemed questionable or unclear during the verification, EPD has made amendments to BMT's satisfaction; and
- Data collection mechanisms and information management systems are generally considered to be reliable, efficient, organised and effective. In particular, data were systematically collected, recorded, filed and analysed following prescribed methodologies. Specific data used to support claims and compile reported figures were correctly retrieved and appropriately interpreted.
Report Coverage and Relevance
- EPR 2007 provides a balanced overview of EPD's performance in 2006 with respect to its roles and responsibilities in Hong Kong, key programme areas, relevant projects, and significant aspects related to daily operations and services.
- EPD's ongoing measures to address impacts from its own operations and services on the Hong Kong community were clearly set out in the Report. EPD has graphically presented the major year-on-year trends in services and environmental performance, and presented progress of targets for 2006, and sets out targets for year 2007.
- EPR 2007 considerably increases coverage of EPD's initiatives in addressing air pollution and waste management in response to the feedback on EPR 2006.
Recommendations for Future Reports
EPD is encouraged to:
- Further improve the presentation of achievements of internal environmental, social and economic performances by providing trend analysis in graphical format, and an at-a-glance overview.
- Expand the reporting scope to include further elements, where appropriate, to demonstrate positive influence upon contractors' and / or suppliers' environmental performance.
- Move towards sustainability reporting in accordance with the internationally recognised Global Reporting Initiative's G3 guideline, and include the application level achieved when reporting.
Ben Ridley
Director
BMT Asia Pacific Limited