ID: 1700
Presenting Author: Tsz Yan Ho
Session: 542 - Are We Living in the Post-Consultation Era?
Status: pending
Hong Kong's EIAO framework shows how structured transparency and genuine responsiveness can counter public disengagement, offering meaningful consultation beyond traditional models.
As public disengagement challenges traditional consultation models, Hong Kong’s Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) provides valuable insights into fostering meaningful stakeholder participation. This two-stage process integrates public input with Advisory Council on the Environment guidance, a government’s principal advisory body on environmental protection and conservation, demonstrating how structured transparency can combat consultation fatigue. Through case studies of controversial projects facing intense public and media scrutiny, we examine how EIAO consultations have genuinely refined project designs and achieved measurable environmental benefits. The presentation evaluates key criteria for meaningful engagement – accessible communication, responsive feedback loops, and transparent decision-making – while exploring innovative alternatives including digital platforms and participatory approaches. Our aim is to provide practical insights for rethinking consultation processes to enhance public involvement and foster better environmental protection outcomes.
Ms. Kathy HO is an Environmental Protection Officer at the Environmental Protection Department responsible for environmental planning and EIA process in Hong Kong.
Coauthor 1: Mong Ling Ng