The Environment, Transport and Works Bureau has overall policy responsibility for the environment, among other matters. It receives professional support from several government departments and advice from the Advisory Council on the Environment, which comprises 23 members appointed by the Chief Executive including representatives of environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and business groups and appointed members with academic and professional expertise.

    The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) executes environmental policies and programmes, vets environmental planning and assessment findings, enforces and reviews environmental laws, plans and develops facilities for liquid and solid waste disposal and promotes environmental management, audit and reporting. The EPD also promotes environmental awareness in the community.

    The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is the main agency for nature and wildlife conservation. It manages country parks and special areas, which cover a large part of the land area, and marine parks and a marine reserve, which are designated by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Executive Council for nature conservation, recreation and education purposes. The department also identifies and protects important conservation areas by other means, enforces the law to protect wildlife and plants, and examines ecological aspects of environmental impact and planning studies. It promotes public awareness of nature conservation.

    The Planning Department plans future land use and controls developments throughout Hong Kong. The Drainage Services Department, assisted by the Territory Development Department, designs, builds, operates and maintains sewerage and sewage treatment facilities. The Civil Engineering Department provides outlets for the re-use of inert construction and demolition material. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department promotes energy efficiency and conservation. The Marine Department clears floating refuse and oil in the sea and enforces the law on oil pollution.

    Government spending on the environment in 2002–03 was budgeted at $6 billion, or about 2.1 per cent of total public expenditure.