BEC Monthly Features
21 November 2014: BEC EnviroSeries Conference “Connectivity and Sustainable Urban Transportation: Strategies and Solutions”
The BEC EnviroSeries Conference, which has been BEC’s flagship conference since 2002, is staged twice a year to provide a cross-sector forum to discuss and address key issues related to Hong Kong’s environmental sustainability. The upcoming Conference, covering the popular topics of connectivity and sustainable urban transportation, will be held on 21 November 2014 at JW Marriott Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is facing increasing challenges in attaining sustainable urban planning, as we must deal with issues ranging from population growth and aging, demand for housing, land supply, traffic congestion to waste management and air pollution. How to provide and support efficient infrastructure and services for a large population with limited space, under a range of environmental and sustainability considerations? What makes Hong Kong a livable city? Urban connectivity and low carbon transportation can provide some good solutions.
In this Conference, BEC will bring together industry experts, policy makers, business leaders and academics to discuss this topic, review the current situation, and explore strategies and solutions that are beneficial to businesses and the general public. Mr. Joseph Lai, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, will join us as a Keynote Speaker and share with us the Government’s policies to ensure connectivity and sustainability.
Please visit http://bec.org.hk/events-current/bec-enviroseries-conference-nov2014 for event details and registration. For enquiries, please contact Mr. Timothy Tam (T 2784 3912 | E timothy@bec.org.hk) or Ms. Jill Chow (T 2784 3942 | E jill@bec.org.hk).
Submission on 2015 Chief Executive’s Policy Address
Based on the insightful comments offered by members of BEC Advisory Groups and all BEC members, BEC recently submitted a paper to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government to provide recommendations for the 2015 Policy Address. This paper included an overview of key challenges and progress to-date on various environmental issues in Hong Kong, as well as detailed recommendations for BEC’s advocacy areas. In addition to topics on waste management, energy policy, environmental, social and governance reporting and performance, climate change as well as the establishment of a Harbourfront Authority, BEC has expanded the scope to cover biodiversity and water management in this paper. The full paper is now available at http://bec.org.hk/files/images/Resource_Centre/Submission/CE_Policy_Address_2014_BEC_Submission.pdf.
BEC Events
29 October – 1 November 2014: BEC’s Participation in Eco Expo Asia 2014
As in previous years, BEC served as one of the Task Force members of Eco Expo Asia 2014 and rendered support to the event. Recognised as one of the leading trade fairs for green businesses in Asia, over four days, Eco Expo Asia served as a platform for government officials, associations, industry players and environmental experts to share their insights on green technologies and solutions.
BEC took the opportunity to introduce its core services, advocacy areas and membership structure to business executives, industry experts and the general public. On 31 October, Ir C F Leung, Director – Green Building & IAQ of BEC, was one of the speakers at the Eco Asia Conference and shared with the audience his experience on the topic of BEAM Plus Interiors.
1 November 2014: Dialogue with Secretary for the Environment
BEC supported the Environmental Protection Department in organising the “Dialogue with Secretary for the Environment”, which was one of the major events of Eco Expo Asia 2014. The objective of this activity was to provide a learning opportunity for secondary school students through face-to-face dialogue on environment-related issues with Mr. K S Wong, Secretary for the Environment.
Over 400 students from 19 secondary schools joined this meaningful activity to express views on different topics such as waste management and environmental education. BEC also organised a guided tour of the Eco Expo Asia exhibitions for over 1,100 secondary school students so that they could learn about the latest environmental technologies and practices showcased by various exhibitors on the same day.
30 October 2014: BEC Leadership Networking Series
BEC Leadership Networking Series in October covered the ways and means that could make heavy duty road transport more sustainable. Mr. Nick Leach, Director, Sales Support Asia, Scania, provided a very informative talk on how the sustainability challenges of heavy duty road transport could be addressed through various ways including advanced vehicle technologies such as Euro 6 and training for drivers to adopt safe driving techniques, and maximize fuel efficiency.
Mr. Roberto Vazquez, Chief Technology Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer, ASB Biodiesel Hong Kong Limited, introduced the production process of biodiesel and the benefits of using waste cooking oil to produce biodiesel. He also updated the audience on the latest development of biodiesel in Hong Kong.
BEC Upcoming Events
11 December 2014: BEC Seasonal Cocktail 2014
BEC will organise a Seasonal Cocktail on 11 December for members and friends to celebrate the festive season at BEC Headquarters. Let’s get together for some holiday cheer!
14 November 2014: Industry Visit to Chemical Waste Treatment Facilities in Tsing Yi
The Chemical Waste Treatment Facilities is the sole facility in Hong Kong that provides a cradle-to-grave solution for all land-based chemical waste and clinical waste. The facility also collects and treats marine pollutants generated from ocean-going and local vessels. In this visit, participants will understand how this facility is operated in accordance with stringent international environmental and safety standards.
For registration and enquiry, please contact Miss Kitty Wong (T 2784 3924 | E kitty@bec.org.hk).
27 November 2014: BEC Leadership Networking Series
In November’s BEC Leadership Networking Series, a representative from the Environmental Protection Department will give an update on the Glass Bottle Recycling Programmes for Housing Estates. Mr. Dong Woodring, Founder of Ocean Recovery Alliance and Co-Founder of Plastic Disclosure Project, will share a recent research that aims to help companies understand the risks and opportunities of plastic and build a business case for improving its management. He will also talk about the benefits for companies to improve the way they measure, manage and report the amount of plastic used in their business operations and supply chains.
Event details can be found at http://bec.org.hk/events-current/bec-leadership-networking-series-27-november-2014. To register, please contact Ms. Joey Hui (T 2784 3958 | E joey@bec.org.hk).
BEC IEE Training Courses
BEC Institute for Environmental Education ("BEC IEE") organises various environmental training courses from November to December 2014 as follows:
Understanding “Materiality” for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting - 2nd Intake (28 November 2014) – This course will help companies understand which elements in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s ESG Reporting Guide are “material” to their business. It will also outline case studies from eight major industries and share leading examples of successful ESG reporting and corporate sustainable practices. It is jointly supported by the Hong Kong Institute of Directors, Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries. A full copy of “BEC Handbook: Understanding Materiality for ESG Reporting” will be given to each participant.
Best Practices for Waste Reduction and Management in Hong Kong (5 December 2014) – This 6-hour course will provide an overview of waste reduction and management in Hong Kong, with particular focus on the roles that businesses and individuals can play. This course is jointly supported by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Environmental Division), Hong Kong Waste and Management Association and Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management.
ISO 14001 Internal Auditing (8 and 9 December 2014) – This course is suitable for anyone who is interested in obtaining the necessary knowledge and skills to interpret the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard, to conduct a successful internal audit of an environmental management system and to produce audit findings.
Please visit BEC website to view more details and schedules of these courses. For registration and enquiry, please contact Dr Veronica Chan (T 2784 3937 | E beciee@bec.org.hk).
Information for BEC Members
Green Technology Corner – Showcase at BEC Headquarters
BEC has launched the Green Technology Corner at BEC Headquarters to provide more opportunities for members to showcase their green technologies and products. For more details about the arrangements of the Green Technology Corner, please contact Miss Kitty Wong (T 2787 3924 | E kitty@bec.org.hk).
BEC Members Corner
Towngas’s Sustainability Report Wins “OSH Annual Report - Gold Award” for Five Consecutive Years
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (“Towngas”) was pleased to present its Corporate Sustainability Report for the 2013 reporting year. The company has raised the level of transparency by being among the first few companies that have applied the latest framework of the G4 guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”). The early adoption of these new reporting standards signals that sustainability is strategically embedded in how Towngas operates as a company and has enabled it to win the “OSH Annual Report - Gold Award” in the “13th Hong Kong Occupational Safety & Health Award” for five consecutive years.
The full report is available at http://www.towngas.com/sustainabilityRpt/2013/index-en.html.
Re-farming Campaign
With an environmental seed sown in mind, the Baroque on Lamma commenced its 6-month re-farming campaign in August 2014. This serves as a pilot conservation project of its proposed eco-destination project on Lamma Island. The large stretch of land was an abandoned farmland in front of the 200-year old Yung Shue Ha Old Village. With the help of farming experts from the Local Life, an organisation of the Yi O Project on Lantau Island, the land was re-farmed with rice, which will be ready for harvest in mid-November 2014.
The pilot project will serve as an important foundation for subsequent community conservation projects once the eco-destination project is approved. The project also aims to revitalise the Yung Shue Ha Old Village buildings, which will become the Visitor’s Centre to exhibit Lamma Island’s habitation history and the biodiversity there.
To know more about the Campaign, please click http://www.bol-hk.com/template?series=116&lang=eng&article=616.
"BEC Members Corner" is dedicated to BEC members for the purpose of introducing their recent achievements, success stories, innovative ideas or solutions on environmental sustainability. Members are invited to provide us with an English write-up with a maximum of 200 words, which BEC will reserve the rights of editing and publishing. The submission deadline for the next E-newsletter is 25 November 2014 (Tuesday).
To submit an article or enquire about this section, please contact Ms. Joey Hui (T 2784 3958 | E joey@bec.org.hk).
BEC Members Update
Please join BEC in welcoming the following members:
Corporate Member
Vanke Property (Hong Kong) Company Limited
General Member
Eco-Greenergy Limited
PH Alpha Design Limited
BEC Supporting Events
| Date | Event | Organiser |
| 13 November 2014 | Wise City Symposium http://bec.org.hk/events-current/wise-city-symposium |
The French Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Hong Kong |
| 27 – 29 November 2014 | 3rd International Conference on Climate Change http://bec.org.hk/events-current/3rd-international-conference-on-climate-change |
Hong Kong Climate Change Forum |
| 1 – 6 December 2014 | APAC Innovation Summit 2014 http://bec.org.hk/events-current/apac-innovation-summit-2014 |
Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation |
| March – November 2014 | Green Building Award 2014 http://bec.org.hk/events-current/green-building-award-2014 |
The Environmental Management Association of Hong Kong |
| 2014 | 5th Hong Kong Corporate Citizenship Program http://bec.org.hk/events-current/the-5th-hong-kong-corporate-citizenship-program |
Hong Kong Productivity Council |
| 2014 – 2015 | The "Let's Save 10L Water" Campaign http://www.waterconservation.hk/en/main.html |
Water Supplies Department |
| 2014 – 2015 | HSBC Water Programme for Industrial Water Management http://bec.org.hk/events-current/hsbc-water-programme-for-industrial-water-management |
Hong Kong Productivity Council |
| 2014 – 2015 | HKSTP Soft-landing Programme for Technology http://bec.org.hk/events-current/hkstp-soft-landing-programme-for-technology-and-innovation-collaboration |
Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation |