Hon Henry Tang, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, presented Fook Tin Technologies Limited the Grand Award of 2006 Hong Kong Awards for Industries (HKAI) in Environmental Performance at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today. The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, MTR Corporation and Swire Coca-Cola HK Limited received Performance Awards. Organized by the Business Environment Council (BEC), the Award aims to recognize Hong Kong enterprises in both industrial and services that exemplify outstanding environmental achievements.
Mr Stephen Fong, Chairman of BEC said, "Environmental excellence in business is a growing imperative for success. Local and worldwide trends show increasing demand for goods and services that observe the principles of sustainability: the impact on the economy, society and ecology. Environmental sustainability is becoming key to reassuring customers, clients and stakeholders."
"Over the past 15 years, the Hong Kong Awards for Industries in Environmental Performance has recognized best practice in corporate environmental responsibility in all business sectors. This year saw a record number of applicants, consistent with the growing acceptance of local businesses that the benefits of improved environmental management outweigh the cost."
"Participants this year included companies from a wide spectrum of industrial and service enterprises. These companies presented countless examples of the business case for sustainable development in areas such as resource efficiency, pollution prevention, waste minimization, and community engagement to name but a few. The merits of systematic management were clear to see across the life cycle of their products and services. While not every entrant can win, I would like to commend all of this year's participants for their efforts and achievements." Mr Fong added.
The Grand Award winner, Fook Tin Technologies Limited, has demonstrated strong environmental management commitment. It is the first company in the world to be awarded IECQ QC 080000 HSPM, in addition to their certification of ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS18001 and ISO13485. They have also shown their strong commitment by incorporating Life Cycle Assessment and eco-product design management system for their products, as well as adopting Green Supply Chain management. Two of their products previously won the 2005 Hong Kong Eco-products Award Grand Awards. They have also organized a series of workshop to train their suppliers on RoHS (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances) related issues.
Fook Tin has showcased remarkable efforts in reducing environmental impact. They have implemented an effective operation of VOC (volatile organic compound) and paint particles removal from automatic painting facility. Their support in local greening and tree planting programs, as well as their two key elements in Resource Management Strategies: waste reduction and material conservation are also key to their environmental success. They have also achieved the goals of "Zero Breakdown; Zero Defects; Zero Accidents".
Dr Andrew Thomson, both Chief Executive Officer of BEC and Chairman of Final Judging Panel noted, "Fook Tin, a Hong Kong owned family business should be an inspiration to other Hong Kong enterprises in adopting environmental practices. If more companies did so, it would do much to help improve the quality of environment (including air, water and waste management) and life in Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta (PRD). Hong Kong could become a leader showing China and other countries what to do."
"Many people say that we can't expect PRD to clean up its act until Hong Kong businesses start to do so. BEC through programs such as HKAI is encouraging and helping them do so." Dr Thomson continued.
Dr John Chai, Managing Director of Fook Tin Technologies also shared his joy in winning the grand award. "It is my hope that industry peers will find it beneficial to learn from our successful experience and model. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the wider business community every success in their pursuit of environmental excellence."
Three outstanding companies received the Environmental Performance Awards, including The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), MTR Corporation (MTR) and Swire Coca-Cola HK Limited (Swire Coca-Cola).
HSBC's environmental commitment was demonstrated in its environmental policy which emphasized reduction on carbon dioxide emission, minimisation of energy consumption, corporate governance, green procurement etc. It was also the first major bank in the world to go carbon neutral.
For MTR, the Integrated Management System oversaw the integrity of MTR's rail network and the implementation of sustainable best practice. A solar-windmill lamp post was installed in Siu Ho Wan Depot.
Another Award winner, Swire Coca-Cola established and implemented an in-house environmental system - eKO System, while green procurement guidelines were developed internally and externally.
Six other companies were granted the Certificate of Merit: Beverly Hill (Estate management) Ltd, Cheung Kong Centre Property Management Limited, Goodwell Property Management Limited (Sceneway Garden, Vista Paradiso, DeerHill Bay and Laguna Verde), Kwong Wah Hospital, Shangri-La Hotel (Kowloon) Ltd and Shui On Properties Management Ltd.
Dr Thomson also believed that by participating the Hong Kong Awards for Industry in environmental Performance, winners benefited not only from gaining recognition for their efforts, but also in learning through the award assessment how they can further improve. Their success will do much to encourage the continued acceptance of corporate social and environmental responsibility across Hong Kong's wider business community. He anticipated the number of entrants will grow further with the increasing concern of environmental excellence.
About the Business Environment Council (www.bec.org.hk) The Business Environment Council (BEC) is an independent, non-profit organization set up by business for business as an environmental solutions provider. BEC's services include consultancy, research, training and award programs for companies across all sectors and at any stage of their corporate sustainability journey. BEC is a membership organization based in Hong Kong with offices in Beijing and Shenzhen.
BEC's Council Members include CLP, China Resources Enterprise, Gammon Construction, Great Eagle Company, Hongkong Electric Company, HSBC, Hongkong International Terminals, Jardine Pacific, Kowloon-
Canton Railway, KMB, PCCW, Shell, the Swire Group, Modern Terminals and Wheelock. BEC's broader membership extends to a network of more than 20,000 companies.
About the Award (www.hkindustryaward.org)
2006 Hong Kong Awards for Industries in Environmental Performance organized by the Business Environment Council (BEC) aims to recognize Hong Kong enterprises that exemplify outstanding environmental achievements. Initiated by BEC in 1992, the Hong Kong Awards for Industry was merged with the Hong Kong Awards for Services to form the Hong Kong Awards for Industries in 2005. Winners are selected by an independent panel of industry, services and environmental experts. They have demonstrated a very high level of commitment in pollution prevention, waste reduction, resource use, legal compliance, staff and community engagement.