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6. Better Environmental Outcomes

An Effective Environmental Monitoring and Audit Programme

What is an Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) Programme?

[Chart of EIA and project life cycle]

Commonly asked questions over Environmental Monitoring and Audit:

1. What is EM&A?

The work comprises two part as:
Environmental Monitoring is for verification of predictions or the effectiveness of mitigation:

Environmental Audit, including compliance and post-project programme, is to review environmental monitoring data, assess compliance, and identify any remedial works.

For details of EM&A procedures during design, construction & operation, please click here.

2. Is EM&A required for all projects?

No. Section 8.3 of the TM requires full implementation of EM&A in specific circumstances.

3. Is EM&A required during all phases of a project?

The EM&A is a living process throughout the project.

The EM&A works shall adapt flexibly to change of project circumstances, for example, reduction or termination of monitor when works wind down .

Of this, a constant dialogue and feedback among other parties in the work is needed.

Typically the EM&A programme shall be clearly set out in an EM&A Manual, including:

  • Technical requirements (monitoring parameters, frequencies, equipment and location)
  • Site audit frequencies and requirements
  • Reporting requirements
  • Complaint investigation procedures
  • Event action plans
  • Organisation and structure of Environmental Team
  • Management and reporting relationship between various parties and EPD

Key Elements of an EM&A programme :

  • Baseline Monitoring Pata
  • Impact/ compliance monitoring programme
  • Action/ Limit & Event/ Action Plan
  • Reporting Procedures
  • Implementation Mechanism

If you want to know more about the EM&A programme for development projects, please click here.

The following parties are typically involved in the EM&A programme, they are :

  • EPD
  • Project Proponent
  • Independent Environment Checker
  • Contractor
  • Environmental Team

What kind of EM&A management structure are there ?

[Chart of structure]

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Last Updated : 2004/03/01

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