The Environmental Protection Department officially launched the Centralised Environmental Database today to support optimising the process stipulated under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance.

In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council's Panel on Environmental Affairs on December 12, the department has reported the review on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and recommended four major enhancement initiatives, including establishing a Centralised Environmental Database, updating the list of designated projects under the ordinance, updating the requirements for technical assessments, and facilitating direct application for environmental permits.

Being the main focus of the recommendations, the database utilises smart technology and a massive data system to support the whole EIA process and helps to shorten the time required for the EIA process from the original 36 to 48 months to 18 to 24 months.

The database is developed by the Environmental Protection Department with the application of a geographic information system and a mapping system platform which encompasses various baseline data related to environment and ecology in the EIA reports.

Modelling tools for air quality, water quality, hydrology and traffic noise and simulated baseline information for the next few decades, which are required for conducting EIA studies, will also be progressively provided in the database with a view to enhancing the accuracy and consistency of relevant assessments.

To allow project proponents to understand potential environmental constraints of their projects at the early planning stage, the database will also provide tools for initial environmental analysis and noise assessments to help project proponents and consultants compare different project design options in early stages of studies, so as to identify a favourable design which has a minimal environmental impact.

Moreover, EIA consultants can also search, download and use available datasets for modelling and surveys which will significantly reduce the time needed for EIA studies and ensure the quality of assessments.

The department will first open general environmental information for public inspection.

To provide the best browsing experience, the number of users of the database is capped at 150. Smart environmental analysis and noise assessment tools will only be open to project proponents and their consultants, and the number of users will be limited to no more than 50.

For enquiries related to using the database, call 2835 2630 or send an email.