I am very honoured to have been elected as the Chairman of the Environmental Division for Session 2007/2008. I wish to thank the past chairmen for their excellent leadership, and members of the Committee for their wholehearted contribution in laying down a firm foundation for further development and building a harmonious working culture.

To promote the general advancement of the science, technology and practice and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas amongst members, the Committee has been putting in a great deal of efforts to organise many quality activities for members. These include many technical talks, site visits, annual reception and the Annual Environmental Seminar. To encourage and foster a spirit of friendly collaboration amongst members and with members of similar institutions, societies or other professional bodies, the Committee has been working closely with other divisions of the HKIE, the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, the Association of Engineering Professionals in Society, and the Institution of Engineers, Singapore, etc. in organising joint meetings and delegations. These activities are all well-received by members.

In line with the Institution's aim to promote engineers' participation in public affairs, the Committee has been making contributions to many submissions of views from the Institution to the Legislative Council and to various government departments and bodies on environmental issues of public concern, such as Tamar Development Project, Harbour Area Treatment Scheme Stage 2 (HATS II), Emissions Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants, Greenhouse Gas and Global Warming, Levy on Plastic Shopping Bags etc. As part of our Engineers' services to the community, the Committee has also participated in several community talks on popular environmental topics, such as Developments Creating Walled Effect, with organisations of local communities. Our contribution will help to raise the standing of engineers.

Riding on the past successful endeavour, we will continue to organise all sorts of activities to meet members' need. I intend to set "Climate Change" as the main theme of this year. Experts in Climate Change will be invited to deliver talks at technical meetings and we will organise visits to relevant organisations or laboratories, such as Hong Kong Observatory, Sustainable Development Centres and Institutes in the Pearl River Delta Region. The annual seminar will also be on the same theme and with focus on China's policy and mitigation measures. The Division is preparing to make regular contribution in a new "Climate Change" column in the Journal, "Hong Kong Engineers". In addition, the Committee will organise ecological outings for members to Wetland Park, Country Parks or outlying islands in order to promote understanding of the nature and ecological conservation.

The Committee is planning a delegation to Singapore in November this year to visit the Institution of Engineers, Singapore and the environmental related infrastructures. We also plan to have another environmental delegation to Guangxi at Easter next year. You are invited to join the delegations.

I welcome any comments or views from you. Last but not least, I look forward to your continuous support and active participation in future activities.

Ir YIM Kin Ping
Chairman, Environmental Division
Session 2007/2008