Partnership

Apart from controlling pollution through law enforcement, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) also encourages compliance by developing partnership programmes with trades and industries affected by pollution control laws. These include the construction industry, restaurant trade, vehicle repair workshops and property management sector which are the subject of most public complaints over the past decade.

About the Programmes

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 Results

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 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.