CSR Seminar 2008 - Caring for the Environment Making Hong Kong a Great Place to Live
On 24 September 2008, the Hong Kong Council of Social Services (hereinafter referred to as the HKCSS) organized the "CSR Seminar 2008," where speakers shared their ideas on how to promote environmental protection to make Hong Kong a great place to live. The seminar attracted a total of more than 200 representatives from the government, the business sector and the NGOs.
The seminar consisted of two parts. In the first part, four keynote speakers from the government, the business and academic world shared their different perspectives on how to develop Hong Kong into an ideal city for sustainable development. In the second part a panel discussion took place around "Opportunities for Environmentally Friendly Businesses".
Keynote Presentation: Business impact on environmental protection and sustainable development
In her welcome address to the seminar participants, Christine Fang, Chief Executive of the HKCSS stated that many companies perceive promotion of environmental protection as an important cornerstone of their company mission. Not only have these companies implemented energy-saving measures, but they have also partnered with external parties to organize environmental protection activities in a number of different districts of Hong Kong or across Hong Kong.
As one of the keynote speakers, the Hon Edward Yau, the Secretary for the Environment, stated that the practice of environmental protection not only ensures business development, but can also benefit companies in two ways: firstly, reduce energy and raw material related cost and secondly to increase return. He also pointed out that the adoption of environmental protection practices adds value to a company's products and services, creating brand value which will help improve long-term return.
Environmental protection and corporate sustainable development have an interrelated relationship. Ms Teresa Au, Head of Corporate Sustainability Asia Pacific Region, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited stated that climate change has an impact on human well-being and the business environment. As a consequence, the business sector should actively stimulate a low-carbon society to protect the environment.
Environmental protection must also rely on the promotion of civic education. Professor Ho Kin Chung, BBS, Dean, School of Science and Technology, the Open University of Hong Kong stated that education in environmental protection includes: to save energy and raw materials, to provide a high-quality living environment, to broaden the international horizon of the public, to establish awareness as global citizens and to accelerate corporate team spirit.
Dr Allan Zeman, GBS, JP, Chairman, Ocean Park Corporation adopted an entertaining approach to promote environmental protection and preservation. Dr Zeman realized that people prefer entertainment to education. Therefore, education should be delivered in a much more entertaining approach. He pointed out that environmental protection education should start with the next generation. In the past 15 years, a total number of 500,000 students participated in the Ocean Park Institute curriculum.
Panel Discussion: Opportunities for Environmentally Friendly Businesses
Four panelists coming from a background in environmental protection and in business sector exchanged thoughts and shared practical experiences of business opportunities and challenges related to environmental protection.
Mr Shek Kang Chuen, President, Hong Kong Organic Farm said that running organic farms is for business, but also for offering a desirable location to educate the next generation of environmental protection. The Farm had organized a series of environmental education programmes for over 10,000 Hong Kong students since its establishment. Though participating in the activities, students would know more about environmental protection and organic farming.
Running a retail shop of organic vegetables, Mr Alan Leung, Director, Oh My Farm Gourmet Greens Plus Ltd described it is a new challenge to him and to the market. The shop is located in city and is decorated in European style with light music. The fashionable style of the retail shop gives consumers a brand new experience when buying vegetables.
Mr Wong Chee Wing, Managing Director, Sailing Boat Catering Management Ltd, has engaged in the catering industry for many years and has been committed to green production by taking the lead in implementing the policy of recycling and saving the cost of production. When it comes to thawing process, adopting environmental friendly production approach, water can be reduced by around 70 per cent, saving a lot of money.
Professor Ho Kin Chung is of the opinion that as long as companies embrace environmental protection sincerely and whole-heartedly, business opportunities will ultimately be identified.
Mr Vincent Wong, Director of Strategic Planning, Commercial Radio stated that if enterprises do not fulfill their obligations to protecting the environment, the speed of how our resources are being wasted and the level of pollution will be accelerated. By adopting practices that protect and preserve the environment, businesses are in fact buying insurance for our earth, so that our earth will not fall into a bad debt crisis in terms of environmental protection.