Environmental watchdog needs to rebuild trust
Edwin Lau calls for more transparency in the review process of the Advisory Council on the Environment, to help the public better understand its decisions and rebuild people's trust in its role as a gatekeeper
When I attended my first meeting as a member of the Advisory Council on the Environment, I asked how the body could be more transparent so the public could better understand how it scrutinises environmental impact assessment reports.
This year, as I come to the end of my tenure in accordance with the government's six-year rule, I am still trying to find answers.
The council has two main roles: to advise the government on major environmental policies, and a statutory function to examine the environmental impact assessment reports of projects put forward by private groups or the government.
This second role is of paramount importance: the council acts as a gatekeeper, examining whether a particular proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the environment or people's health, and whether such effects could be avoided or lessened.
Given that these projects can affect many individuals and the ecology of an area, there have been growing public calls for greater transparency in the process of scrutinising the reports. I believe more transparency is essential to help the public better understand the review process and also enhance the council's credibility.
The council is bound by the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, and thus can review only the possible impact of a proposed project. It has no scope to question whether the project is actually needed, or recommend alternatives, even if members believe the project may end up being a "white elephant".