Verification Objectives

BMT Asia Pacific Limited was commissioned by the EPD in June 2003 to verify the contents of its fourth environmental report, entitled Environmental Performance Report 2003. The objective of the verification was to validate data and claims made in the report, as well as the supporting data collection and information management systems. An assessment of the report’s comprehensiveness against EPD’s key programme areas and responsibilities was undertaken and recommendations for improving EPD’s reporting process were also provided.

This statement presents the findings of the verification and represents a wholly independent opinion of Environmental Performance Report 2003. BMT Asia Pacific was not involved in any aspect of the preparation of the report.

Verification Approach

During the verification process, meetings were held with EPD’s managerial, professional and technical staff. A representative sampling of claims was discussed and substantiated, and supporting data was collected and examined. Where further investigation was necessary to confirm claims, additional information was requested and reviewed.

The following elements of the report were sampled during the verification:

• Management commitment and engagement in the implementation of EPD’s policy, programme and continual improvement initiatives;
• EPD’s provision of input to major government-wide policies and strategies and management of strategic environmental assessments;
• Major projects in the environmental programmes areas of air, noise, waste and water;
• Enforcement of environmental legislation (i.e. prosecutions);
• Improvements in environmental conditions associated with EPD’s implementation of initiatives;
• Legal compliance of EPD facilities (i.e. laboratories);
• Contractor management (i.e. green procurement);
• Emergency preparedness and response;
• Complaints handling and response;
• External awareness raising and training initiatives;
• Hong Kong – China pollution reduction partnerships;
• Internal green management, auditing and greening initiatives (i.e. energy-saving sensors, carpooling); and
• Target setting and implementation.

Verification Results

During the verification process, EPD provided data and information to support the claims made in the report that were selected for verification. The results of the verification process are summarised below.

Report Accuracy

• The claims made in Environmental Performance Report 2003 that were examined by BMT represent an accurate account of EPD’s actions and performance in the year 2002;
• Claims are supported by data and information that were appropriately extracted from data collection systems; and
• Data collection and information management systems are efficient, organized, robust and effective. Data and information are collected, recorded, stored and analysed in a systematic manner in accordance with specified parameters.

Report Coverage and Relevance

• The report provides a balanced overview of EPD’s performance with respect to its major areas of responsibility, key programme areas and the significant environmental aspects arising from its daily operations;
• It also provides an extensive account of how EPD engages various authorities, industries/trades, communities and stakeholder groups, both locally and overseas, to form partnerships for improving environmental protection;
• EPD consistently sets improvement targets in line with its policy commitments. Specific actions in the year 2002 against the Department’s 2002 targets are presented, and planned targets for the year 2003 are also outlined; and
• The report demonstrates an increased openness in EPD’s coverage of controversial issues. In particular, the receipt of negative public feedback on legislative amendment proposals is described and follow-up actions are explained.

Recommendations for Future Reports

In future reports, EPD is encouraged to:

• Report progress against targets, policy commitment and goals through an assessment scale that clearly indicates the extent to which a target, or a set of divisional targets has been achieved and relates this progress to overall objectives for specific programmes or environmental conditions;
• Consolidate key performance indicators for each programme area in summary charts to facilitate year-on-year comparisons of performance;
• Enhance the linkages between EPD’s environmental performance and improvements in the HKSAR’s environmental conditions; and
• Extend environmental data collection and reporting in accordance with leading best practices, in particular, the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, and plan for sustainability reporting.

26 June 2002