Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04 Reply Serial No.
CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)055
Head : 44 Environmental Protection Department Subhead(No. & title):
Question Serial No.
0728
Programme : (6) Environmental Assessment and Planning
Controlling Officer : Director of Environmental Protection
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question : Would the Government inform this Council: What measures will EPD take in 2003-04 to
promote environmental considerations at the earliest possible stage when formulating
major policies and strategies?
Asked by : Hon. EU Yuet-mee, Audrey
Reply : To promote the incorporation of environmental considerations into major policies or strategies,
the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will continue to participate in major policy
and strategy formulation works. EPD will continue to review the findings of environmental
studies associated with policy and strategy formulation and to assist the Environment,
Transport and Works Bureau in vetting the environmental implications of Executive Council
and Policy Committee papers. EPD will also continue to disseminate information and
examples of good practices on strategic environmental assessment with a view to promoting
environmental considerations at the earliest possible stage when formulating major policies
and strategies. In particular, EPD will continue to provide environmental inputs to the Study
on Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy and oversee the associated strategic
environmental assessment study to facilitate early consideration of major environmental
issues during the long-term strategic planning process.
Gototop
Signature
Name in block letters ROBERT J. S. LAW
Post Title Director of Environmental Protection
Date 21 March 2003