BEC Monthly Feature
22 September 2016: BEC Anniversary Dinner 2016
BEC is honoured to have Mr KS Wong, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment, as the Guest of Honour of the Anniversary Dinner on 22 September. The Dinner, to be held at JW Marriott Hong Kong, is expected to attract over 300 guests, including senior government officials, business leaders, sustainability professionals, our members and partners. For details: http://bec.org.hk/events-current/bec-anniversary-dinner-2016.
The Dinner is a special occasion for members and guests to celebrate BEC’s achievements in the year, preview our opportunities ahead, and network with old and new friends. Please contact Ms Jill Chow (T 2784 3942 | E jill@bec.org.hk) to reserve your tables or tickets early.
BEC submission on the 2017 Policy Address
BEC is now inviting members’ comments on our draft submission, targeting for submitting to the Government by mid-September. The draft has been sent to all member representatives earlier. Your comment by 4:00pm on 31 August 2016 (Wednesday), sending to carolmiao@bec.org.hk, is most welcome.
The draft submission, entitled “Transitioning to a Low Carbon and Circular Economy”, has been developed over the year through working with our advisory groups and taskforces, which comprise many of our member representatives. Subject to finalisation, upon collecting members’ feedback, we are to focus in the submission on achieving social, economic and environmental benefits for Hong Kong in the five areas of:
- transition to a low carbon, resilient and competitive economy;
- smart low emission transport system and tightened air quality objective for a more liveable city;
- impacts of waste and ways to optimise resources use;
- strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a centre of expertise in responsible investment and green finance in the region;
- planning strategies embedding principles of sustainability, protection of natural capital, and enhancing social well-being.
BEC Upcoming Event
2 September 2016: BEC Industry Visit to District Cooling System at Kai Tak District
Participants will have a closer look at the District Cooling System, which utilises sea water to supply chilled water to centralised air-conditioning system for commercial buildings in Kai Tak new development area. The system helps save 85 million kilowatt-hour in electricity consumption each year and reduce 59,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions at the same time.
For registration, please contact Ms Beatrice Yu (T. 2784 3960 | E. beatrice@bec.org.hk).
BEC IEE Training Courses
BEC Institute for Environmental Education ("BEC IEE") will organise various environmental training courses in September 2016:
Regulatory Compliance for Environmental Legislation of Hong Kong (3rd Intake) (7 September 2016) – This course provides you with up-to-date information on major environmental ordinances in Hong Kong covering air pollution control, noise pollution control, water pollution control, waste disposal and environmental impact assessment.
Embedding Sustainability Within Your Organisation – Introduction to Sustainable Procurement and Sustainable Supply Chain Management (9 September 2016) – This 3-hour course introduces how to integrate good sustainable procurement and supply chain management into your organisation and business processes. It takes you through the forthcoming ISO 20400, an international standard for sustainable procurement. It also guides you how to embed sustainable procurement into procurement and supply chain processes in a straightforward and cost-effective manner.
How to Operate Your Business / Organisation in a Socially Responsible Way? An Introductory Training of BS ISO 26000:2010 (2nd Intake) (22 September 2016) – Co-organised with BSI, this 6-hour course provides basic concepts of implementing and managing a social responsibility programme in accordance with ISO 26000:2010, an international guidance standard on social responsibility. The course also introduces seven core subjects that users of ISO 26000:2010 need to consider.
How to Write an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report? (26 September 2016) – This 3-hour course (conducted in Cantonese) covers the requirements of the Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Guide of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, key steps involved in report preparation, current trends in reporting, ways of communicating with stakeholders, etc. Successful case studies will also be shared. To further promote awareness of ESG reporting, we offer BEC members who enroll before 13 September buy-one-get-one-free course benefit for their staff members who join the course together.
Visit BEC website now for outlines and schedules of BEC IEE courses. For registration and enquiry, please contact Dr Veronica Chan (T. 2784 3937 | E. beciee@bec.org.hk).
BEC Past Events
22 August 2016: Summer Meet-up with Secretary for the Environment
In the two-hour dialogue, Secretary for the Environment Mr KS Wong discussed with BEC Chairman, Board Directors and Advisory Group Chairs on key environmental issues, covering climate change, building energy efficiency, waste management, transport and logistics.
25 August 2016: BEC Leadership Networking Series
Members and guests had enthusiastic discussion on sustainable consumption and the green procurement practices of the Government.
Mr Prashant Bhaskar Vaze, Chief Planning and Trade Practices Officer of Consumer Council, shared the Council’s earlier survey findings on sustainable consumption. He highlighted the rising trend of the general public in supporting sustainable development and purchasing products with environmental protection element. He also shared some examples of green products and labeling systems in Hong Kong which could help consumers make green purchase wisely.
Mr Wong Hon-meng, Assistant Director (Waste Reduction & Recycling) of Environment Protection Department, shared the Government's latest policy of green procurement, and examples of its various green specifications. He said the Government was keen to promote green procurement for wider use in various sectors of the community. He also hoped that more supplies and varieties of green products could help further enrich Government’s green procurement lists.
BEC Members Corner
Towngas Headquarters Awarded Platinum Rating under BEAM Plus Existing Building Version 1.2
The headquarters of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (“Towngas”) is the first non-residential building in Hong Kong being awarded the Platinum rating, the highest rating under BEAM Plus Existing Building Version 1.2. Through the skillful use of modern technology and stakeholder engagement in sustainable development, the existing Towngas building was upgraded to a green building for the benefit of staff and the community.
The achievement is mainly attributed to successfully integrating green management including electricity conservation, preservation of water resources, improvement on Indoor Air Quality, and waste management. Towngas implemented green purchasing and green management practices during the building renovation period. By doing so, it has been able to share the experience and promote the adoption and effectiveness of green building facilities to the community.
A certificate presentation ceremony was held on 9 August to acknowledge the efforts made by Towngas and its staff. The occasion was honoured by the participation of Mr Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment, Mr Cheung Hau-wai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Green Building Council and Mr Alfred Chan, Managing Director of Towngas.
Services for BEC Members and Companies
Venue Hire at BEC Headquarters
To facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices, BEC provides venues and facilities at BEC Headquarters to members and companies for organising events related to environmental protection and sustainability. To find out more about the venues, please refer to the rate card or contact BEC Events and Communications Team (T. 2784 3942 | E. venue@bec.org.hk).
Opportunity to Showcase Green Technologies
The Green Technology Corner at BEC Headquarters offers opportunities for members to showcase their green technologies and products to business leaders and sustainability professionals. Please contact Ms Bonnie Ho (T. 2787 3951 | E. bonnie@bec.org.hk) to secure the showcase opportunity.
BEC Members Update
Please join us in welcoming the following new members:
General Members
Ever Cool Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Co. Limited
Genano Ltd
United Transportation (HK) Limited
BEC Supporting Events
| Date | Event | Organiser |
| 1 December 2015 – 28 February 2017 | Smart City Campaign | Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation |
| 28 May – 27 November 2016 |
2016 15th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition - Hong Kong Exhibition |
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation, Hong Kong Arts Development Council |
| 8 June – 22 November 2016 |
Green Building Award 2016 |
Hong Kong Green Building Council, Professional Green Building Council |
| 7 September 2016 |
Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Preparation - Study the IFMA FM Learning System Course |
International Facility Management Association |
| 9 September 2016 |
Innovation and Technology Symposium 2016 |
HKRITA |
| 10 September 2016 | The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors – Annual Conference 2016 | The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors |
| 22 – 23 September 2016 |
APAC Innovation Summit 2016 Series – Smart City |
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation |
| 23 September 2016 |
HKIE 8th Guangdong Hong Kong Macau Sustainable Development Conference 2016 |
Hong Kong Institution of Engineers |
| 23 – 24 September 2016 |
HKICS Corporate Governance Conference 2016 |
The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries |
| 24 – 25 September 2016 | Social Enterprise Summit 2016 | The Hong Kong Social Entrepreneurship Forum, The Hong Kong Policy Research Foundation |
| 26 – 29 October 2016 | Eco Expo Asia 2016 | Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong SAR Government |
| 6 December 2016 |
The 7th Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD) Conference on Building Operation and Maintenance |
Building Services Operation, Maintenance Executives Society |
| 2015 – 2016 | Graphic Arts Association of Hong Kong | |
| 2014 – onward | Water Supplies Department, Hong Kong SAR Government |