BMT Asia Pacific Limited (BMT) provided an independent assurance of the Hong Kong Housing Authority's (HA) web-based Sustainability Report 2007/08 (hereinafter the "Report"). The Report describes the environmental, as well as social and economic performance of HA during the fiscal year of 2007/08.

Objectives
The objectives of this verification were to provide HA's stakeholders with an external assurance of the materiality, completeness and responsiveness of the Report.

This Statement is issued based on:

  • Independent third party opinion – BMT was not involved in any aspects of Report preparation; and
  • The findings of a verification process that involved validating representative selection of data and claims, checking data collation mechanisms and information management systems, assessing the Report's comprehensiveness, and identifying areas to improve HA's reporting process.

Approach
Our assurance approach was developed with reference to the Accountability's Assurance Standard AA1000 AS, 2003. During the verification process, an interview was held on 4th December of 2008 with HA's representative. BMT reviewed the selected claims and reported figures, examined and checked supporting data and documented evidence, as well as data collation systems. Where further investigation was necessary to confirm claims, additional information was requested and reviewed. Where HA presented data and information from a second party, BMT assured that data and information was transcribed accurately or the correct reference was provided.

BMT's Conclusions
On the basis of our review, we provide the following conclusions on the Report in relation to each of the main AA1000 Assurance Standard's principles (Materiality, Completeness and Responsiveness).Back to top


Materiality

  • HA has established comprehensive management system for managing risk and determining significance of the impacts and issues that are material to the business;
  • Indicators and targets that are used in strategic and operational decision-making are addressed;
  • The report includes information that is important and useful to stakeholders;
  • We are not aware of any material aspects concerning HA's sustainability performance that have been excluded from the report or misstated; and
  • The claims made in the Report are accurate. Specific data used to support claims and compile reported figures were correctly retrieved and appropriately interpreted.


Completeness

  • The Report provides a detailed and balanced account of most of its sustainable performances. HA's performance in 2007/08 with respect to its roles and responsibilities in Hong Kong, major aspects related to daily operations and services, key programme areas and relevant projects were addressed;
  • For some minor outstanding claims and figures that were deemed questionable or unclear initially during the verification, all were addressed and are corrected in the Report; and
  • There are processes in place for understanding and managing stakeholder issues and potential risks to the business.


Responsiveness

  • We are pleased that this year the Report addresses comments on last year's report.
  • We are not aware of any additional significant issues of stakeholder interest that should be included in the Report.


Carmen Ng
Senior Environmental Consultant
BMT Asia Pacific Limited
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