Hong Kong environment professionals call for accreditation scheme to improve impact assessment quality
With more complex development projects, institute says improved accountability is also needed
A professionals institute has called for the creation of a government-recognised chartership scheme that would accredit qualified environmental impact assessors and raise industry standards.
It comes amid increasing demandfor environmental impact assessment studies as more and more complex development projects are proposed for the city.
The Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals (HKIQEP) said the scheme would be similar to those offered by professional institutes for local surveyors, architects or engineers.
“There are many ways to substantiate your technical expertise, but under the current system there is no recognition for the environmental discipline,” institute vice-chair Freeman Cheung Chun-ming, a senior environmental manager at engineering consultancy Aecom, said.
Under the current system there is no recognition for the environmental discipline
“The purpose will be to upgrade the professional recognition of environmental professionals... to make sure members are well qualified and have a good ethics and quality.”