A Council on Sustainable Development, promised by the Chief Executive in his last policy speech, will not be ready until a study is finalised this year, according to officials.
Nine months have passed and the council, which is to offer expert advice to the Government, is still on the drawing board: there has been no decision on either its structure or its membership.
A Planning and Lands Bureau spokesman said a study by the Planning Department would be ready by the end of this year, which would pave the way for the establishment of the council.
'The preparation of the council is under way and an announcement will be made when members are appointed,' the spokesman said.
The study will list key indicators by which policies and projects will be assessed to check whether they balanced economic, social and environmental needs.
In addition to the council, a Sustainable Development Unit carrying out assessment of government policies and a $100 million education fund on sustainability have been delayed.
