September 2012

BEC Member Activities

BEC Draft Submission on G4


Following two interactive workshops held in July and August to discuss the updated sustainability reporting guideline, the G4 exposure draft, BEC’s Policy and Research Team put together a draft submission integrating views and perspectives from participating members.

The feedback shows support, in principle, the efforts to help companies report on their environmental and social disclosure through improvements made on the previous G3.1 version by the development of the G4. But there are numerous comments relating to the new reporting framework’s usability and applicability.

All BEC Members are invited to voice their opinions by 11 September for preparation of the final submission within this month. To discuss the draft document in more details, please contact Hendrik Rosenthal (Hendrik@bec.org.hk).


BEC Launches New Networking Platform

BEC introduces a new monthly event – BEC Leadership Networking Series where senior management and business decision makers of large and small corporations alike can gather together to discuss and share their insights on various environmental sustainability topics. Held the last Thursday night of every month at BEC auditorium with drinks and canapés, the event is a perfect platform to relax, network and learn from other BEC members and like-minded industry players! Stay tuned to our event calendar for the first session on 27 September.



Member Visit to Zero Carbon Building

Over 40 BEC members enjoyed a preview of the very first Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) in Hong Kong on 31 August, prior to its official opening. The visit was kick-started with a 3D movie introducing the background and objectives of building the ZCB. Members then toured around the building to have a closer look at the state-of-the-art eco-building. They were impressed by the application of environmentally sustainable systems and technologies, such as bio-diesel tri-generator, high-volume-low-speed (HVLS) ceiling fans, chilled-beam, under-floor displacement cooling system, and photovoltaic panels.




BEC Partnership Programmes

First Seminar on Corporate Sustainability for Construction Sector


Sponsored by Sustainable Development Fund, the briefing seminar for “Moving the Construction Sector towards Sustainable Development” was held on 30 August. Sustainability experts and representatives from Construction Industry Council, Kum Shing Group and REC Engineering Co Ltd shared with SMEs and concepts and practices of corporate sustainability and associated benefits.



BEC Upcoming Member Events

14 September: BEC 22nd Anniversary Dinner


The 22nd Anniversary Dinner of BEC will be presented at Conrad Hong Kong hotel. As a major celebration of our success and progression, the annual dinner will also see BEC embark on new initiatives to contribute at the forefront of Hong Kong’s sustainable development. It will also be a special occasion to express gratitude and appreciation to our members for their continuous support, guidance and inspiration. We welcome our members and their invited guests to join us for a night of enjoyment!

Click here for more details. If you are interested in making tickets or table reservations, please contact Ms Patricia Poon (patricia@bec.org.hk).

17 September: "How to be a Sustainable Company?" Talk

Joining hands with Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) and Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries, BEC has invited Harvard Business School Assistant Professor George Serafeim to deliver a talk at 6:30pm on 17 September. BEC members registering with the specific enrolment form can enjoy member discount rate. For enquiry, please contact HKICPA at 2287 7386 / 2287 7253 or via e-mail: cpd@hkicpa.org.hk.

21 September: Industry Visit to Lamma Winds

Lamma Winds is not only the first commercial-scale wind turbine in the territory, but also an interesting educational showcase of renewable energy. BEC members can now find out how the turbine generates clean electricity to our society and network with fellow members by joining this industry visit. Reserve a seat now!

For registration or enquiry, please contact Jun Ng (jun@bec.org.hk)




27 September: BEC Leadership Networking Series - The Value of a Sustainable Building, World Financial Centre, Beijing

Mr David Dumigan, General Manager – Project Management (I) of Henderson Land, will use World Financial Centre’s (WFC) story to explore the myth around the cost and value of creating sustainable buildings in this first session of the BEC Leadership Networking Series. While sourced and built locally with Chinese people and materials, WFC is an International Grade A office reaching “Platinum” level in both LEED and BEAM with lower construction cost than similar development projects in Beijing and Shanghai around the same time.

The keynote speech will be followed by case sharing from Mr Rex Wong, Executive Director of Kum Shing Group.

For registration or enquiry, please contact Skyla Chan (skyla@bec.org.hk).




28 September: CCBF’s 2oC Plus Food

On 28 September, CCBF will host the second event in their 2012/13 event series: 2oC Plus, an innovative and engaging series of events to inform the Hong Kong business community, investors and other relevant stakeholders on how climate change affects daily life. 2oC Plus Food seeks to examine the challenge of delivering high-quality food to a growing population in Asia in the face of rising wealth, population, and climate volatility.

Keynote speaker Dr Shenggan Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, will present on existing food security issues, low-carbon agriculture solutions and drivers for change. Panel discussion representatives from across the food value chain, including BASF, Dairy Farm Group and ASB Biodiesel, will analyse some of the key themes of Dr Fan’s address. An investor perspective, on how best to manage risk and size the investment opportunity will be provided by HSBC.

Other upcoming CCBF events include the Carbon Smart Building Study Launch on 7 November 2012. Stay tune for more details!



25 October: Leadership Networking Series - Is Investment in Energy Efficiency a Good Deal for SMEs?

Energy saving initiatives do not always require substantial investments with some enabling a short payback period of 1 to 2 years. Mr Richard Lancaster, Managing Director of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, will share successful cases from the GREENPLUS programme where over 1,000 SMEs and NGOs achieved an average energy cost reduction by 10% to 20% through implementing affordable and tailor-made energy saving measures in the past 2 years.

The keynote speech will be followed by case sharing from Ms Martha Hao, Head of Division, Electro-Mechanical Modules Division, Defond Group.

For registration or enquiry, please contact Skyla Chan (skyla@bec.org.hk).



BEC Supporting Events

15th September – 4th November: Hong Kong Cleanup
Ecozine and National Geographic Channel (HK) invite you to join the Hong Kong Cleanup. It’s simple!
1. Sign up: Registration and information available at HKcleanup.org
2. Learn: Choose one of 7 FREE education sessions to attend
3. Go clean!: Do a cleanup with colleagues, friends or family and send results to Hkcleanup.org
17 Sep Collaboration and Cooperation in Contracts for Hong Kong’s Expanding Infrastructure Conference
26 Sep Understanding Current Social Issues and Leveraging Business-NGO Partnership that Creates Social Impact
27 Sep Feeding The World: Asia’s Prospect of Plenty Conference
22 Sep – 2 Mar Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge 2012
8 Oct IFMA - Industrial Spotlight: Organic Waste Management
15-19 Oct Work-Life Balance Week 2012
27-30 Oct Eco Expo Asia 2012
13-15 Nov InnoAsia 2012
17-27 Nov Corporations and Communities Debates
29 Nov-1 Dec Social Enterprise Summit 2012


BEC Members Update

Please join BEC in welcoming the following members:

Corporate Member
Lai Sun Development Company Limited
Veolia Water South China Limited



General Member
Corporate Press (HK) Limited
DynaSys Solutions Limited
MVA Hong Kong Limited
Versatech Group Limited

Associate Member
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants