The Environmental Protection Department was created in 1986 to co-ordinate and carry out pollution prevention and control activities. Staff and resources from six government departments were deployed to the EPD. The EPD replaced the Environmental Protection Agency as the main government body charged with tackling pollution. Between 1986 and 31 March 2005 it functioned mainly as an executive department enforcing environmental laws and implementing environmental policies, the latter having been determined by the relevant policy bureau, most recently the then Environment, Transport and Works Bureau. On 1 April 2005 however the environmental policy-making function carried out by the then Bureau was subsumed within the EPD and the head of the Environment Branch of the policy bureau took up the dual role of Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Director of Environmental Protection. This significant development has placed the EPD in the position of both determining and implementing environmental policy. Subsequent to the re-organisation of government bureaux on 1 July 2007, a new Environment Bureau was formed overseeing the formulation and implementation of environmental policies.
Reorganisation in 2007
Following the re-organisation on 1 July 2007 the EPD has adopted a new structure based on three operational divisions, four policy divisions, a cross-boundary division, and a corporate affairs division.
Divisions
The Environmental Infrastructure Division, responsible for planning, developing and managing waste disposal facilities, such as strategic landfills, refuse transfer stations, and a chemical waste treatment centre. The division is also responsible for implementing programmes to reduce waste generation and for regional and local planning for sewerage. The regional and local sewerage planned by this division is implemented by the Drainage Services Department as works agent.
The Environmental Assessment Division, responsible for reviewing the environmental implications of policies and strategic and local plans, and administering the application of the environmental impact assessment process under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance. This division is also responsible for policy formulation, strategic planning and programme development in the area of environmental impact assessment and environmental noise management.
The Environmental Compliance Division, responsible for enforcing pollution laws and facilitating business not only to comply with environmental requirements but also going beyond compliance.
The Air Policy Division, responsible for policy formulation, strategic planning and program development in the field of air quality management.
The Water Policy Division, responsible for policy formulation, strategic planning and programme development in the area of water quality management. This includes policy in relation to sewage treatment, and strategic planning for sewerage and sewage treatment facilities which are implemented by the Drainage Services Department.
The Waste Management Policy Division, responsible for policy formulation, strategic planning and program development in the field of waste management. This includes policy for waste reduction and recycling.
The Cross-Boundary & International Division, responsible for liaison with the Mainland authorities on environmental issues of mutual concern, and also for the development of plans to implement the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants.
The department employs about 1 600 staff, about one-quarter of whom are professional staff, half are technical-grade staff and the remainder are administrative and support staff. Starting from July 2007, the Director of the department is Miss Anissa Wong Sean-yee JP, who also the Permanent Secretary for the Environment in the Environment Bureau.
Air quality monitoring
Air quality monitoring by the department is reported by 13 general stations and three roadside stations. On 8 March 2012, the department started reporting data on fine suspended particulates in the air on an hourly basis, that are a leading component of smog. It began regular monitoring of PM2.5 levels, which measure 2.5 micrometres in diameter or less, at three stations since 2005, but the data were never publicised.
Other Work
The Department also works with local organisations for advocacy work, including with the Geography Society of PLK Vicwood KT Chong Sixth Form College between 2008 and 2009.
