Hong Kong halves environmental impact review times with AI in efficiency drive

SCMP | Aug. 17, 2026, 7:20 a.m. | Original

The Sam Po Shue wetland area underwent an environmental impact assessment in recent years. Photo: Dickson Lee
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk is chairing the government’s AI Efficacy Enhancement Team. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong authorities have slashed the time required for environmental impact assessments by up to half using artificial intelligence , with an official saying that AI adoption reduced wait times for some public services by up to 90 per cent.

The first batch of 30 projects aimed at enhancing efficiency was announced on Monday. It involves 13 government departments, covering transport and food business licensing, leisure and sports facilities, environmental hygiene, complaint handling, and environmental protection. These projects are being rolled out this year and next.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, who chairs the government’s AI Efficacy Enhancement Team established in last year’s policy address , said the adoption of AI had reduced processing and waiting times by up to 90 per cent for select public services.

Among the projects, the government identified 10 high-impact flagship initiatives, including the Environmental Protection Department’s adoption of AI in environmental impact assessment (EIAs).

An EIA is a statutory procedure that evaluates and mitigates the environmental impacts of major development projects before they are allowed to proceed, as mandated under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance.

The new measure, implemented in the first half of this year, integrated AI with technologies such as light detection and ranging, the Internet of Things and data analytics.

The government said the adoption of AI had shortened the time frame for collecting environmental data and completing the EIA process from 36 to 48 months to 15 to 24 months.

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