The first presentation ceremony of the Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards under the One Factory - One Year - One Environmental Project (One–One–One) Programme, jointly organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) and Hang Seng Bank, was held today (Tuesday), with Edward Yau, Secretary for the Environment; Clement Chen, chairman of the FHKI; and Raymond Or, vice-chairman and chief executive of Hang Seng Bank being the officiating guests.
This year’s programme received 113 entries covering a total of 339 environmental projects in eight areas: energy conservation, water management, waste discharge reduction and treatment, recycling of resources, air emissions, noise abatement, green management and others. The implementation of energy conservation projects by various companies joining the competition helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 25,000 tons; while the execution of water management projects helped save over 1.5 million cubic metres of water – enough to fill 617 standard 50m swimming pools.
Leo Paper Group (Hong Kong) Limited won the Grand Award as well as the ‘Energy Conservation’ and ‘Others’ category awards. With its sights set on cleaner production, Leo Paper has implemented a number of environmental projects in Heshan, including:
§ establishing a centralised vacuum pump system in its factory in Heshan, leading to a 76 per cent decrease in electricity consumption;
§ reducing heat and noise levels on the production line floor;
§ reusing waste heat from the air conditioning system, leading to a 39,000 litre reduction in diesel oil usage; and
§ using an auto-blanket washer to help reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Mr Chen said: “The FHKI is dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability. We have initiated a number of green programmes, including the One–One–One Programme launched in 2005, to encourage industry to participate in cleaner production and to foster a green culture. The Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards was launched in June 2007 to encourage and recognise sound environmental practices initiated by manufacturing companies (including transportation and logistics companies) in Hong Kong and the PRD region. With Hang Seng’s generous sponsorship, the Programme has promoted the green message on both sides of the boundary.”
Mr Or said: “In 2005, we became the first local financial institution in Hong Kong to attain ISO 14001 certification. In 2007, we became carbon neutral. Achievements such as these underline our commitment to conducting our business in an environmentally responsible manner and having a positive influence on the environmental practices of our customers and business partners.”
Twelve awards were presented at the ceremony, including the Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Grand Award (cash prize of HK$100,000), three Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards (cash prize of HK$50,000 each), and eight Hang Seng Pearl River Delta Environmental Category Awards (cash prize of HK$10,000 each). In addition, ‘Green Medalist’ and ‘Green Participant’ certificates were presented to companies to acknowledge their green contribution.
List of award winners 2007:
