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Protecting the Campus Environment
Chairman of the University Steering Committee on Environment (USCE) since autumn 2004, Prof. Lam is committed to improving the campus environment in order to provide staff and students with ideal conditions for working and studying. He is also an expert in environmental impact assessment in Hong Kong, and chairman of the government's Advisory Council on the Environment. Prior to that, he had been chairman of the Environmental Impact Assessment Sub-committee of the council for eight years. The sub-committee is responsible for assessing the environmental impact of various infrastructural projects in the territory and advising the government on related policies. The Chinese University has a beautiful campus of which we are very proud. The recent opposition to the felling of trees next to the Li Dak Sum Building shows that University members treasure our environment.' USCE Priorities Prof. Lam believes that the primary task of the USCE is to perfect the policy-making system, set up an effective structure and procedures, and formulate clear objectives, standards, and guidelines. In these undertakings, it requires the participation of all CUHK units, colleges, staff and students. Through communication and collaboration with all parties concerned, it will strive to minimize the environmental impact of projects and achieve sustainable development. Importance of Dialogue
Prof. Lam predicts that development will continue to thrive on campus. He hopes, however, that before the green light is given to projects, in particular those affecting a larger area, older trees and trees of historical value, the University will discuss their environmental implications with staff, students and the colleges with the aim of reaching consensus and avoiding conflict. His experience in public service has shown him that when making environmental policies and implementing projects, transparency and earlier engagement of stateholders will result in greater public identification. It will also be easier to monitor the progress of projects and pressurize contractors into heeding the environmental aspects of their undertakings. USCE Agenda
Prof. Lam hopes that the steering committee will fortify links with the colleges by including members of the collegiate environment committees. He said, The colleges have done a lot in environmental protection and they have teachers, students and alumni at their disposal. They are valuable partners to have in developing a sustainable campus. I hope that they will give me time during their weekly or monthly assemblies to introduce the committee's work to drum up support for our work.' Greening by Joint Effort Prof. Lam also hopes to raise the committee's transparency to the level of the government's Envir onment Impact Assessment Sub-committee. The USCE is not the police. It should not hunt down culprits when something goes wrong. Instead it should proactively instil environmental awareness into University members so that we all regard environmental protection as our job and have as our objective the building of ideal campus surroundings. Greening the campus this way saves cost and gives us more to be proud of.'
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The Chinese University should not settle for a bare pass in environmental standards. We should aim high in sustainable campus greening,' remarked Lam Kin Che, professor in the Department of Geography and Resource Management, on the expectations of University members and his goals.
Prof. Lam is also a member of the government's Council for Sustainable Development, which, under the leadership of Dr. Edgar W.K. Cheng, its vice-chairman and chairman of the University Council, formulates policies on sustainable development for Hong Kong . Prof. Lam's experience with the council has made him aware of the importance of stakeholder participation and maintaining transparency. Prof. Lam pointed out that campus development should be preceded by efforts to understand the environmental views of University members; consultation is an important aspect of modern public administration. A good environment policy should be built on consensual objectives which are supported by a clear policy-making structure, standards for implementation and guidelines.' And before consensus can be reached, there must be adequate communication, timely consultation, and a high degree of transparency.
For the USCE, tasks at hand include delineating the University's greening and tree felling policy, drawing up procedures and guidelines for decision-making, delegating responsibilities, monitoring, and implementing felling compensation and post-planting preservation.
