Bilateral Relations

Canada — Hong Kong

Environment Canada and Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department (HKEPD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Environmental Cooperation in September 1992. This MOU was renewed in 1998 and again in 2003.

The EC-Hong Kong MOU represents an important mechanism for engaging Hong Kong, China bilaterally on a broad range of regional and global environmental issues. The primary goals of the MOU are addressing transboundary pollution, transferring Canadian environmental expertise, sharing of policy frameworks, best practices and marketing Canadian technology.

To date, activities under the MOU have focused on the management of toxic chemicals and hazardous waste, Climate Change, Ozone depletion, migratory species and wetlands protection, freshwater ecosystems, the importance of sustainability and greening in government operations, the demonstration and transfer of Canadian environmental technology and expertise, education and capacity building, and the adoption of an environmental impact assessment processes.

The MOU has been recognized by high-level officials for its contribution to Canada’s overall relations with China. This high-level political interest supports the continuation of environmental cooperation with Hong Kong.

Project Implementation

• Focus our efforts on priority areas to protect Canadians from foreign environmental threats.
  
  
• Develop a Work Plan that ensures the best return on investment.
  
  
• Maximize our resources by leveraging external funds and support.
  
  
• Ensure that conferences, study tours, workshops and other activities reflect a partnered approach with other government departments and stakeholders.
  
  
• Demonstrate EC leadership.
  
  
• Foster long-term relationships and policy dialogue with the Chinese government and agencies.
  
  
• Increase opportunities for Canadian industry and the private sector to enter the Chinese market either directly or in partnership with Hong Kong and Chinese firms.
  
  

Partnerships are key to the approach. Our partners include: other federal government departments and agencies, including DFAIT, NRCan, Industry Canada and CIDA; provincial environment ministries and municipal representatives; universities; the private sectors; and other stakeholders.

Work Plans outlining activities to be undertaken with HKEPD partners are developed annually. These activities focus on projects that mutually benefit Hong Kong and Canada and complement EC’s departmental priorities.

Illustration of Work

Canada and Hong Kong have both benefited from increased cooperation initiated through the MOU. Over the past twelve years, Hong Kong has experienced significant improvements in the area of environmental management, which in turn, have resulted in both direct and indirect environmental benefits to Canada. China and Hong Kong’s successes include the control of transboundary pollutant such as POPs, PCBs, dioxins and ozone depleting substances, protection of habitat and migratory species, improved air quality, better sustainable development governance models and improved environmental impact assessment processes.

In general the MOU has achieved the following results for Environment Canada:

• productive relationship with the Hong Kong regional government
  
  
• effective horizontal engagement with FAC, IC and CIDA
  
  
• expanded relationships with academic community and the private sectors
  
  
• promotion of Canadian environmental success stories and innovation at conferences, study tours and workshops
  
  
• influenced key legislation in China (China’s new Cleaner Production Act)
  
  
• creation of environmental management frameworks
  
  
• development of bilateral Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) projects in China and Hong Kong
  
  
• increased opportunities for Canadian industry and the private sector to enter the Chinese market either directly or in partnership with Hong Kong or Chinese companies
  
  

Directions for the Next Five Years

Key themes for Environment Canada over the midterm will include climate change, sustainable development and the implementation of Species at Risk Act. Each of these themes has a strong international component to be incorporated into the activities under the MOU.

Based on the renewed MOU in 2003, EC and HKEPD have agreed to focus on the following areas:

1. Sustainable development;
   
   
2. Air quality management and monitoring;
   
   
3. Water management;
   
   
4. Nature conservation;
   
   
5. Climate change in general and greenhouse gas emission reductions in particular;
   
   
6. Transfer of Canadian environmental technologies;
   
   
7. Pollution prevention and environmental technologies verification;
   
   
8. Links between human health and the environment;
   
   
9. Links between trade and environment;
   
   
10. Environmental education, training and public awareness;
    
    
11. Research on environmental science and technology;
    
    
12. Development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies;
    
    
13. Management and reduction of toxic substances and hazardous wastes;
    
    
14. Build capacity to implement international environmental agreements; and
    
    
15. Other areas of cooperation related to environmental protection and its improvement as mutually agreed upon.