1 Activity 3 - Definition of sustainable developmentDefinition of sustainable development - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - Is EIA always reliable? Is EIA always reliable? Activity 4 - City forumCity forum - SummarySummary Disneyland development: Benefit or loss Activities 3 and 4 Click the links below to access the slides:

Activity 3: Sustainable development and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Sustainable development is a concept adopted for the development of an area in which the needs of environment, social and economic development are carefully balanced, so as to enable both the present and future generations to enjoy a vibrant economy, social progress, as well as a high quality environment. Does the building of Disneyland abide by this definition?

What is Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA)?

Every Development has Environmental Impact  Air quality  Noise  Water quality  Waste management  Land contamination  Ecology  Fishery  Visual appearance  Cultural heritage  Hazards to life

EIA – Helping to Minimize Environmental Impact Environmental Impact  Important for sustainable development EIA EIA predicts or measures the environmental impact identifies ways to minimize impact (e.g. alternative site selection and strategic planning)

In HK, EIA is required by Law The Law: Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) Designated developmental projects listed in Schedule 2 and 3 of the EIAO should set up an EIA in order to be granted permission to do the project

How does EIA work in Hong Kong? Environmental Permit Environmental Permit No Adverse Impact Project Profile Project Profile Permission EIA Study Brief EIA Study Brief EIA Report EIA Report EIA Report Approved EIA Report Approved Comments from Public & The Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) Comments from Public & ACE EPD We are involved!! Ecological knowledge is used in advising society’s decision-making Ecological knowledge is used in advising society’s decision-making

How can the public find out what developments are planned? Media EPD website It’s our right and responsibility to contribute comments about future developments in Hong Kong

Is EIA always reliable? Extract from the EIA Report (executive summary): Relative to impacts upon fish culture enterprises, the Ma Wan Fish Culture Zone (FCZ) will probably not be affected by any rise in suspended solids, reductions in dissolved oxygen concentration or raised nutrient levels caused by either construction or operation of the theme park. Projected hydrodynamic changes will not affect the FCZ water quality, since water current speeds will be little affected. Waste water discharges will comply with Water Pollution Control Ordinance standards. Ways to reduce possible effects from the Penney's Bay reclamation have been recommended. These measures, together with monitoring will protect the Ma Wan FCZ.

Homework: Refer to the Ma Wan case Prepare a group report! Topic: Is EIA always reliable? You should discuss possible limitations of the EIA to predict environmental impact arising from the development.

12 Activity 4: Discuss with your colleagues and prepare well for the City Forum !!!

13 Is Disneyland’s construction the start of a journey to a magic kingdom?

14 Summary

15 Reflections How do they interrelate? –Science –Technology –Society –Environment You can use the issue of the theme park and dioxin to illustrate

16 Science (eg. predicting the impact, the study of dioxin) Technology (eg. computer modeling in EIA, machines used to remove dioxin) Society (eg. economic benefit of the theme park, health problems due to dioxin) Environment (eg. prevent pollution caused by the building of the theme park and the leakage of dioxin)

17 Science is affected by society Scientific investigations are affected by political, commercial and social pressures.

18 Society is affected by science The public is influenced by scientific investigations.

19 Our society relies on balanced ecosystems for survival. We have responsibility for the present and future generations. Commitment from to the environment.

20 Acknowledgements Chao Yeuk Lan, Crystal Chow Chi-yui, Shirley