The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) was enacted on 29 January 1997 and came into operation on 1 April 1998 in Hong Kong. Under the Ordinance, a register containing all documents submitted under the Ordinance was open for inspection by the public free of charge. To allow easier and wider access to the EIAO register, a dedicated web site containing essential information on applications submitted under the EIAO was set up in April 1998. The set up of the web site allows easy, flexible and multiple access.

To further enhance transparency and wider public participation, the Environmental Protection Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is promoting a Cyber EIA process where proponents (developer) of major projects are encouraged to set up a dedicated web site. The web site will contain multi-media information, such as photo images and video clips. It will also contain information on the company background, scope of the proposed project, findings of the EIA study, the environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) results and the environmental permit conditions. Such information will empower the public to participate in monitoring potential environmental impacts.