Partnership
The programmes adopt a holistic approach and involving multiple stakeholders, including the regulated parties, respective trade organizations, government departments and outside institutions, all working towards goals of common interest. Regular meetings are held to discuss issues and propose measures that help compliance. Very often, activities are organized and conducted with joint effort by the concerned parties.
Training and education is one of the main focuses of the partnership programmes. Materials provided under the programmes are user-oriented, trade specific or user specific, and has been produced to clarify law requirements and guide compliance. They are presented in the forms of promotional leaflets, posters, guidebooks, CD-ROM, videos and dedicated web sites. Talks, train-the-trainer workshops, seminars, courses and visits are jointly organized with the respective trade organizations to help educate the operators to raise their environmental awareness and follow good work practices in helping to protect the environment.
The tools provided by these
programmes have helped to enhance the environmental awareness
of the trade associations, their
members, and trade operators. Many trade associations have set
up environmental committees to promote environmental protection
within the trade and collaborate with the EPD to address
environmental issues. With the availability of the guiding materials,
help desk and ambassador services etc., the regulated parties have
better access to information and alternative means for technical
advice and assistance. Operators have also adopted new effective
pollution control measures to minimize the impact to environmental
associated with their daily operation. Associated with these
efforts is the reduction in the number of environmental complaints
received from the public. The programmes, in conjunction with law
enforcement, have allowed an integrated compliance strategy to be
adopted to provide effective responses to pollution problems.