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The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:
The 2011 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) was officially launched today (April 8) by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
Also at today's ceremony, Sectoral Awards were presented to winners of the 2010 HKAEE.
The HKAEE aims to encourage businesses and organisations to adopt green management styles and to recognise those that contribute to protecting the environment. The 2010 HKAEE comprised three award programmes: Sectoral Awards, Environmental Labels and Carbon "Less" Certificates.
Sectoral Award winners are judged on three criteria, namely "green leadership", "programme and performance" and "partner synergy". The awards are given to organisations that have demonstrated outstanding environmental performance across different sectors. In 2010, the nine sectors competing for the awards were: construction industry; financial, insurance and accounting institutions; hotels and restaurants; manufacturing; property management; public organisations and utilities; retailers; schools, and transport and logistics.
A total of 35 gold, silver, bronze and SME Awards, and 81 Certificates of Merit were presented to businesses and organisations in the nine sectors. At the ceremony, display panels were set up to highlight the winners' environmental achievements. Representatives were also invited from two former award-winning organisations to share their experiences in finding green business opportunities and their corporate visions for a green future. These representatives were the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Mrs Margaret Leung, and the Managing Director of Projexasia Limited, Mr Steve Grant.
A spokesman for the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) said 468 entries competed for the 2010 Sectoral Awards, an increase of nearly 30% over 2008 when the scheme was first launched, and the number of small and medium entreprises more than doubled, showing that recognition of the Scheme among business sectors was increasing by the year.
The spokesman added that entries for the Sectoral Awards were assessed by professionals and the assessment process was rigorous and comprehensive. Entrants had to go through three stages of evaluation and the winning organisations were finally selected by the Adjudicating Panel. The Sectoral Awards 2010 HKAEE Adjudicating Panel was chaired by Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Tsui Lap-chee, and comprised representatives of major chambers, professional bodies and government departments.
The 2011 HKAEE competition was also launched at today's ceremony, and Environmental Labels, Carbon "Less" Certificates, Sectoral Awards and the newly implemented Green Innovations Awards are now open for applications.
The spokesman said the new Green Innovations Awards scheme aimed to encourage local organisations to meet environmental challenges using ingenious green methods. The theme for 2011 is "Energy Conservation", and a competing entrant needs to turn an ingenious idea into a practical solution to save energy, as well as to present data as proof of its environmental performance.
The 2011 Sectoral Awards have been revamped into 11 sectors to expand coverage to include legal and business consulting services, wholesalers and import and export trades.
As for Environmental Labels and Carbon "Less" Certificates, the spokesman said the two schemes had been very well received, with a cumulative total of more than 2,850 and 210 applications submitted to the respective schemes.
Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Chairman of the ECC, Professor David Lung; the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau; the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Tsui Lap-chee ; and representatives of the nine joint organisers.
Since its introduction in 2008, the HKAEE has been jointly organised by the ECC, the Environmental Protection Department, the Advisory Council on the Environment, the Business Environment Council, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' & Exporters' Association, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. The HKAEE is sponsored by the Environment and Conservation Fund.
The ECC will launch a number of information-sharing seminars in April and May for winning organisations to share their experience in going green. Organisations wishing to know more about the HKAEE may obtain details during these seminars. For more information on enrolment, please visit the HKAEE website at www.hkaee.org.hk or call the hotline 2788 5903.
Ends/Friday, April 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:53
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