BEC Monthly Feature
BEC Competition Ordinance Compliance Manual
BEC has published the Manual to remind and assist BEC staff members, as well as BEC Members and their staff members, against breaching the Competition Ordinance during the performance of all BEC activities and meetings. The manual was approved by BEC Broad of Directors on 26 September, taking effect from 13 October 2016.
The scope of the Manual covers: i) the interaction, discussion or co-operation in relation to or during BEC activities or meetings; ii) the use or disclosure of BEC members related information; and iii) the benchmarking and sharing of best practices or industry statistics. The full copy can be downloaded here.
Biodiversity Conservation – Tung O Ancient Trail
BEC has obtained Subventions for Biodiversity Education from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to produce a short video entitled 生物多樣 • 保育傳承 (Biodiversity Conservation). Displaying a glimpse of the rich eco-system and great varieties of flora, fauna and natural habitats along the Tung O Ancient Trail, BEC hopes to help enhance public awareness towards the importance of protecting sustainable biodiversity. The video version of 3.5 minutes, in Cantonese, which has been broadcasted in BEC booth at the Eco Expo Asia 2016, can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyF-Nrjthpw (version with English subtitles: https://youtu.be/K6YR673Jxh4). A shorter one-minute version is being broadcasted on Roadshow BUS-TV on 1,600 buses in 21 separated days until end of December 2016, with an estimated daily viewers of around 640,320.
The Ancient Trail between Tung Chung and Tai O has also been the field trip location of Biodiversity Ambassador Training Programme and corporate volunteering trips organised by BEC.
BEC News
26 – 29 October : BEC in Eco Expo Asia 2016
BEC served as a supporting organisation of the 11th Eco Expo Asia, held at AsiaWorld-Expo, which has attracted 325 local and international exhibitors. At the BEC booth throughout the 4-day International Trade Fair on Environmental Protection, we have presented our efforts in fostering environmental excellence to business executives, industry practitioners, primary and secondary school as well as the general public.
29 October : ECF BEC Low-carbon School – Eco Expo Asia 2016 “Dialogue with Secretary for the Environment” and “Expo Guided Tours”
For any further information, please feel free to contact Ms Christy Leung (T. 2784 3941 | E. bec.lcs@bec.org.hk) or visit the Programme’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/LowCarbonSchool/).
Disclaimer: Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material/event do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Environment and Conservation Fund and Environmental Campaign Committee.
BEC Upcoming Events
15 November : Roadside Emissions – Tax & Incentive Policy Workshop
In this half-day workshop for BEC members only, BEC members will take part in a discussion with the Government to help shape Hong Kong’s future vehicle tax policies and broader incentives scheme involving different vehicle types, such as private vehicles, taxis, buses, trucks, non-road mobile machinery, etc. Government officials will give their views on the use of tax incentives for addressing road emissions, and also provide an overview of progress of the Air Quality Objectives Review.
For registration and enquiry, please contact Ms Gentiane Gastaldi (T. 2784 3928 | E. gentiane@bec.org.hk).
24 November : The Future of Reporting – GRI Standards Launch Event
BEC is the event network partner for the GRI Standards Launch Event in Hong Kong. Participants in this one-day event will be guided through the new GRI Standards, gaining insight into the changes from the current GRI G4 Guidelines; and will have the opportunity to consult experts, exchange knowledge and network with peers. Key local stakeholders and experts at the forefront of reporting developments will share their experiences and discuss ways that the GRI standards will improve sustainable business decisions. A BEC representative has been invited to speak at the event. For details: http://bec.org.hk/events-current/gri-standards-launch-event-in-hong-kong---the-future-of-reporting
Registration is complimentary, but space is limited. Please click the link to register:- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gri-standards-launch-event-hong-kong-registration-28721393461
24 – 25 November : BEC Industry Visit to Guangzhou
One of the biggest waste management expo in Asia, IE Expo cum WasteMET Asia 2016, will be held on 24 - 25 November in Guangzhou. BEC is one of the supporting organisations of WasteMET Asia, and is thus organising a two-day industry visit to Guangzhou for our members during the period.
Apart from visiting the expo, participants will also visit T.I.T Creative Park — a showcase of revitalising industrial buildings into an innovative co-working space, as well as Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City — a model displaying talent development, industry promotion technology and finance.
For registration and enquiry, please contact Ms Jeanne Chan (T. 2784 3924 | E. jeannechan@bec.org.hk) or 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 during November to December 2016 as follows:
Comprehensive Certificate Course for BEAM Plus on Energy Use (EU) 2016 (14 – 30 November) – This intensive training course, co-organised with ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter, BEAM Society Limited and Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society, is designed for building and facility management professionals, project managers, engineers, and other professionals and practitioners who are interested in green building projects. Participants will acquire essential knowledge on Energy Use from experienced and professional speakers. The course, conducted in Cantonese with English Terminology, is recognised as Mandatory CPD course for BEAM Pro and BEAM Affiliate.
How to Write an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report (2nd Intake) (2 December) – This 3-hour course (conducted in English) covers the requirements of the ESG Reporting Guide of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, key steps in preparing and writing ESG report, means to effectively communicate with stakeholders, etc. Successful case studies will also be shared. BEC members who enroll before 18 November can enjoy buy-one-get-one-free course benefit for their staff members.
Case Sharing on First Commercial Building to achieve BEAM Plus Provisional Platinum Rating (Existing Buildings) – BEC Headquarters (3rd Intake) (9 December) – BEC Headquarters has become a green building showcase having attained such rating in 2014. This 3-hour course, conducted in Cantonese supplemented with English, would base on BEC’s practical transformation experience to introduce knowledge of design, planning and implementation for transforming an existing building to a certified green building. It will also cover the major amendments in the BEAM Plus EB V2.0 newly launched in March 2016. BEC members who enroll before 25 November can enjoy buy-one-get-one-free course benefit for their staff members.
Visit BEC website for outlines and schedules of BEC IEE courses. For registration and enquiry, please contact BEC IEE (T. 2784 3900 | E. beciee@bec.org.hk).
BEC Partnership Programme
Launch of "Green Delight in Estates Phase 10"
"Green Delight in Estates" — the community environmental education programme launched by the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) in all public rental housing estates — has officially commenced on 7 October 2016. Being HA’s partnering green groups under the programme, BEC, The Conservancy Association and Friends of the Earth (HK), will organise a great variety of environmental activities for estate residents throughout the year under the theme of "Waste Reduction Begins with Waste Audit".
It is the fifth year that BEC is taking part in the programme, serving more than 10 public housing estates each year. In last year alone, BEC has trained over 1,000 Green Estate Ambassadors, and our activities including carnivals, educational talks, organic farming days, eco-tours, eco-barter fairs, etc have attracted participation of over 1,000 households.
For details and upcoming activities, please visit https://www.facebook.com/GDEbyBEC.
Towngas Green and Healthy Cooking Training and Microfilm Competition Courses
As a continuum of BEC Low-carbon School 2015 Microfilm Competition, with the support of Towngas, BEC will organise a series of training sessions for students to enhance their awareness on “green and healthy cooking” as well as their skills of shooting microfilm. On 15 October, over 50 students from 11 local secondary schools attended a 6-hour videography class which enabled them to create professional microfilm from script writing, shooting, applying audio-video equipment, to post production.
To equip the students with green and healthy cooking techniques for the production of a microfilm of no longer than 5 minutes for the competition, another 2-hour cooking class will be held on 5 November in the Towngas Cooking Centre.
For further information or enquiries, please contact Ms Christy Leung (T. 2784 3941 | E. christy@bec.org.hk).
BEC Past Events
12 October : BEC Industry Visit to T ▪ PARK (Tuen Mun Sludge Treatment Facilities)
BEC organised a visit, the second time in this year, to T▪ Park — the first sludge treatment facility in Hong Kong — in view of the overwhelming response. The participants were impressed by the advanced waste management technologies, and the self-sufficient design of waste-to-electricity generation and wastewater reuse. They also appreciated the informative site tour arranged by T▪ Park representatives.
14 October : Sustainable Supply Chains Workshop
The half-day workshop brought together sustainability leaders from different industries to share their experiences in implementing sustainable supply chain practices. Discussions highlighted the risks and opportunities associated with sustainable supply chains from the perspectives of buyers and suppliers. Case studies looked at the use of smart data captured through the Higg Index to improve sustainability performance in the apparel industry and carbon footprinting in construction.
The workshop was supported by the ESG Advisory Group and Climate Change Business Forum Advisory Group of BEC. If you have any thoughts about BEC’s further collaborative work, please email: nadira@bec.org.hk on ESG in the supply chain and maya@bec.org.hk on carbon or climate resilience.
19 October : Sustainable Consumption of Biological Resources: What the Business Sector can do?
In the forum co-organised by BEC and the Council for Sustainable Development, an advisory body to the Government, participants from various sectors had keen discussion on what businesses can do to support a shift towards a more sustainable consumption of our biological resources — from food to timber. The Council is conducting a public engagement exercise on this critical issue, considering Hong Kong people’s high levels of consumption versus limited productive capacity. If you have views on how businesses or Government can act in this regard, please respond direct to the Council on comments@susdev.org.hk.
24 October : BEC Workshop on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting
Participants of the workshop have gained better understanding of the key steps involved in ESG report preparation and assurance, as well as the requirements of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The speaker from Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, one of the most respected local verifiers, also shared on the value of report verification.
BEC Members Corner
MTR Corporation issues First Green Bond to drive
Investment in Service Enhancements and Environmental Performance
MTR Corporation Limited announced on 24 October that it has successfully issued its first ever Green Bond. The US$600 million 10-year Green Bond was issued under the Corporation’s US$4.0 billion Debt Issuance Programme and is fully guaranteed by the Corporation. With a view to developing further green finance investment opportunities, the Corporation has established a Green Bond Framework to cover Green Bond governance, issuance, use of proceeds and eligible investments. HSBC, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. acted as the Joint Bookrunners and Lead managers for the Bond issue.
Details on the Green Bond Framework:
https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/mtr_green_bond_framework2016.pdf
In accordance with Green Bond Principles, an independent second opinion was commissioned on the Corporation’s Green Bond Framework. The report:
https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/green_bond_framework_and_opinion_2016.pdf
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 Jeanne Chan (T. 2787 3924 | E. jeannechan@bec.org.hk) to secure the showcase opportunity.
BEC Members Update
Please join us in welcoming our new General Members:
CaSO (HK) Engineering Co. Ltd
ALBA Integrated Waste Solutions (Hong Kong) 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 |
| 1 – 16 November 2016 |
“BEAM Plus Neighbourhood” Seminar Series |
Hong Kong Green Building Council |
| 17 – 21 November 2016 |
Water Conservation Week 2016 |
Water Supplies Department |
| 24 – 25 November 2016 | WasteMET Asia 2016 | SingEx Exhibitions, Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore |
| 6 December 2016 |
The 7th Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD) Conference on Building Operation and Maintenance |
Building Services Operation, Maintenance Executives Society |
| 7 – 10 December 2016 |
Certified Energy Manager (CEM) - Program for Professional Certification |
The Hong Kong Association of Energy Engineers |