BEC Monthly Feature
21 May 2015 - BEC EnviroSeries Conference "Embracing Natural Capital in a Densely Built Metropolis: Challenges and Solutions for Achieving Environmental Sustainability"
Natural capital, including clean air, clean water and other natural assets, are becoming increasingly more important to business leaders and policy makers in their planning and decision making process. In the upcoming BEC EnviroSeries Conference to be held on 21 May 2015 at JW Marriott Hong Kong, BEC will bring together industry experts, Government officials and sustainability professionals to discuss and explore innovative solutions and technologies that can preserve Hong Kong’s natural capital and bring benefits to businesses at the same time.
According to the Chief Executive’s 2015 Policy Address, the Hong Kong Government is formulating the first Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (“BSAP”) for the city with a view to stepping up conservation efforts and supporting the sustainable development of Hong Kong. What elements should be incorporated in the BSAP to enhance transparency and predictability of the development planning process, while avoiding duplication with the existing regulatory regime and potential increase in the cost of doing business?
Clean water, as an important natural asset, also requires careful long term planning and management. What are the possible measures and solutions that can facilitate our planning and better management of this natural asset?
If you are eager to know more about pragmatic solutions and innovative technologies for conserving Hong Kong’s natural capital, please visit BEC website (http://bec.org.hk/events/enviroseries-conference-2015) for more details of the Conference. Please also feel free to contact Ms. Phoebe Hung (T 2784 3968 | E phoebe@bec.org.hk) or Mr. Timothy Tam (T. 2784 3912 | E. timothy@bec.org.hk) if you would like to sponsor and support the Conference.
BEC Events
26 February 2015: BEC Leadership Networking Series - Spring Dinner
The BEC Leadership Networking Series on 26 February was staged as a spring dinner for celebrating the Chinese New Year. At the dinner, over 70 members and guests shared well wishes for the Year of the Goat and exchanged views on environmental issues.
As keynote speakers, Mr. Andrew Lai, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection and Mr. Elvis Au, Assistant Director (Nature Conservation and Infrastructure Planning) of Environmental Protection Department shared with the audience the Cleaner Production Partnership Programme and the Government's waste-to-resources strategy respectively.
Besides the keynote speeches, a lucky draw sponsored by BEC Chairman Prof John Chai, a beer drinking competition and a glutinous rice dumplings cooking competition made the evening more exciting and enjoyable.
3 March 2015: Industry Visit to Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant
More than 40 participants visited Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, the first nuclear power station of commercial scale in the Mainland, from which 70% of the electricity generated is supplied to Hong Kong. The visit allowed the participants to know more about the process of nuclear generation and the operations of the nuclear power plant.
BEC Upcoming Event
26 March 2015: BEC Leadership Networking Series
In March’s series, Mr. John Li, Technical Sales Engineer of LVFAR Kin Fung Green Reusable Industry Ltd. will share insights on construction and demolition (“C&D”) waste in Hong Kong, technology that can be applied in converting C&D waste to green construction materials such as paving blocks and drain covers, as well as the applications of these green construction materials in the territory.
Mr. Daniel Suen, Deputy Director, Campus Development of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, will introduce their “Green Deck Project” and discuss how this proposed project can address various problems, including unsatisfactory air quality, poor connectivity and lack of open space, in the vicinity of the Cross Harbour Tunnel.
Contact Ms. Joey Hui (T. 2784 3958 | E. joey@bec.org.hk) to secure your seat early!
BEC News
BEC Named Caring Organisation for Four Consecutive Years
In recognition of BEC's commitment to caring for the community, its employees and the environment, BEC has been awarded the Caring Organisation Logo by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for four consecutive years since 2011.
Looking forward, BEC will continue to proactively advocate environmental protection amongst our members and the broader community with a view to driving Hong Kong to a low carbon economy.
BEC Awarded “Class of Excellence” Wastewi$e Label
In recognition of BEC’s efforts in waste reduction, BEC has been awarded the “Class of Excellence” Wastewi$e Label under the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (“HKAEE”) programme. HKAEE programme aims to encourage businesses and organisations to adopt green management and green innovations, as well as to present them with an opportunity to benchmark their commitment towards environmental excellence.
BEC Partnership Programmes
CarbonSmart Programme –Carbon Audit Pilot Fund and Capability Enhancement Workshop
BEC is one of the organisers of the CarbonSmart Programme, which aims to encourage industry effort on carbon audit and reduction to shape a low carbon economy.
Carbon Audit Pilot Fund, one of the key initiatives under the CarbonSmart Programme, provides subsidies to companies in specified sectors in Hong Kong to carry out carbon audit to enhance their environmental performance. Upon completion of the carbon audit by a qualified service provider, each applicant can reimburse a grant of up to 50% of the approved cost of carbon audit.
On 11 February, another Capability Enhancement Workshop was held at BEC Headquarters to provide the details about the Carbon Audit Pilot Fund and an overview of carbon management skills in businesses. Participants gained a better understanding of carbon audit from representatives of Kai Shing Management Services Limited - Millennium City 5 and DHL Express (Hong Kong) Limited.
Application for the Carbon Audit Pilot Fund will soon close on 31 March 2015. Please contact the Programme Secretariat at 2788 6038 or visit the Programme website http://www.carbonsmart.hk to explore the funding opportunity.
EPD Territory-wide Glass Bottle Recycling Programme for Housing Estates
To promote glass bottle recycling in Hong Kong, the Environmental Protection Department has commissioned BEC to coordinate the implementation of the glass bottle recycling programmes in Hong Kong. As of January 2015, about 1,000 private housing estates and public housing estates have already participated in this programme.
All housing estates and residential buildings with property management offices are welcome to participate in this programme. Please contact Mr. Jonathan Li (T. 2784 3921 | E. em_admin@bec.org.hk) to learn more about the programme.
BEC IEE Training Courses
BEC Institute for Environmental Education ("BEC IEE") will organise various environmental training courses from March to April 2015 as follows:
Indoor Air Quality (“IAQ”) Management & Improvement (4th Intake) (19 March 2015) – The course covers an overview of IAQ, different chemical and biological components that affect IAQ, as well as effective ways to manage and improve IAQ. This course is supported by the Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management (“HKIFM”).
Regulatory Compliance for Environmental Legislation of Hong Kong (2nd Intake) (20 March 2015) – This training course provides participants with up-to-date information on five major environment-related ordinances in Hong Kong in various areas, including air pollution control, noise pollution control, water pollution control, waste disposal and environmental impact assessment. Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (“HKIE”) and Hong Kong Waste Management Association (“HKWMA”) are supporting organisations of the course.
Towards Sustainability: Case Sharing on First Commercial Building to Achieve BEAM Plus Provisional Platinum Rating (Existing Buildings) – BEC Headquarters (27 March 2015) – BEC Headquarters is the first commercial building in Hong Kong which has achieved the Platinum rating of Provisional Assessment under BEAM Plus Existing Buildings (version 1.2) of the Hong Kong Green Building Council. Using BEC Headquarters as an example, this course offers essential knowledge on design, planning and implementation for transforming an existing building to a certified green building.
BEAM Plus Familiarisation Training for Site Supervisors (2 April 2015) – BEAM Plus for New Buildings, an environmental assessment scheme for buildings, requires site supervisors to oversee the implementation of a series of good site practices. This course offers comprehensive training that enables site supervisors to manage BEAM Plus responsibilities in order to fulfill pre-requisite requirements and attain credits for site management, supervision, testing and commissioning.
Visit BEC website now for outlines and schedules of BEC IEE programmes. Please contact Dr. Veronica Chan (T. 2784 3937 | E. beciee@bec.org.hk) for registration and enquiry.
Information for BEC Members
Mainland Further Opened Up Services Trade Under CEPA
The Agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Achieving Basic Liberalization of Trade in Services in Guangdong (“the Agreement”) under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (“CEPA”) has been implemented with effect from 1 March 2015.
The Agreement is the first one drawn up by the Mainland making reference to international standards and in the form of pre-establishment national treatment and a negative list. Overall speaking, the Mainland has opened up 153 services trade sub-sectors to the Hong Kong services industry. In respect of the mode of "commercial presence", national treatment will be applied to Hong Kong in 58 sub-sectors including those related to environmental services.
You may visit the Trade and Industry Department's CEPA website at http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/index.html for details on CEPA.
Green Technology Corner – Showcase at BEC Headquarters
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. Kitty Wong (T. 2787 3924 | E. kitty@bec.org.hk) to secure the showcasing opportunity.
BEC Members Corner
Winning Trust with Sustainability Reporting
NWS Holdings Limited has been valuing and exercising corporate social responsibility as one of the leading conglomerates in Hong Kong and a responsible business. As part of its continuing effort to increase transparency and enhance stakeholder communication, NWS Holdings published its first standalone Sustainability Report in 2014. This report (available on website http://sr.nws.com.hk) reflects the management approach, programme highlights and achievements in seven material aspects identified by stakeholders, including investors, analysts, employees, media, green groups and non-governmental organizations. NWS Holdings’ report is based on GRI G4 reporting framework and is independently verified.
"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 about 120 words, which BEC will reserve the rights of editing and publishing. The submission deadline for the next E-newsletter is 26 March 2015 (Thursday).
Please contact Ms. Joey Hui (T. 2784 3958 | E. joey@bec.org.hk) if you are interested in contributing an article.
BEC Members Update
Please join us in welcoming the following new member:
Corporate Member
China Harbour Engineering Company Limited
BEC Supporting Events
| Date | Event | Organiser |
| 26 - 28 March 2015 | 2015 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2015MIECF) http://www.macaomiecf.com/miecf2015/ |
The Government of the Macao SAR |
| 17 April 2015 | HKIE Environmental Division Annual Forum "The Future Directions and Breakthroughs of Hong Kong's Environmental Industry" http://bec.org.hk/events-current/the-hkie-environmental-division-annual-forum-the-future-directions-and-breakthroughs-of-hong-kongs-environmental-industry |
HKIE Environmental Division |
| 7 May 2015 | IFMA Integrate 2015 Facility Management Conference http://bec.org.hk/events-current/ifma-integrate-2015-facility-management-conference |
The Hong Kong Chapter of the International Facility Management Association |
| 7 May 2015 | 3rd BEAM Affiliate Training http://bec.org.hk/events-current/the-3rd-beam-affiliate-training |
BEAM Society Limited |
| 11 - 14 June 2015 | Youth to Sustainability Summit 2015 http://bec.org.hk/events-current/youth-to-sustainability-summit-2015 |
AIESEC |
| 2014 – 2015 | 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, Hong Kong SAR Government |
| 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 |