BEC in the Media - Archives for Year 2007

Risk never takes a holiday as Grinch-proof policy shows
South China Morning Post (27 December 2007)
BEC's CEO Dr Andrew Thomson said the environmental highlight of the year 2007 was the ongoing re-negotiation of the scheme of control. "The road map emerging out of the discussions for a new scheme of control for the two power companies seems to be charting a path for clean power for Hong Kong, and that is really one of the fulcrum points for clean air from a Hong Kong perspective," Mr Thomson said.

Green Living Goes Big
South China Morning Post (24 December 2007)
The Building Environmental Assessment Method helps developers to incorporate environmental improvements in their design in the early stage of development.

Carbon Scheme as tough sell for HK
South China Morning Post (13 December 2007)
The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing plans to launch a carbon emissions futures contract. BEC CEO Dr Andrew Thomson said, "More and more businesses are interested in a broader range of applications for finance and the environment. Having more certainty of a clear price for carbon and having that mechanism held by a good institution with strong governance is a good thing, and that makes Hong Kong a good place to launch these futures."

Preservation & Profit
The Peak Hong Kong Magazine (P78 - 81, Volume 4 No 12, December 2007)
In a 4-page feature story in the Peak Hong Kong Magazine, Dr Andrew Thomson, CEO of BEC, shares his views on why conservation does not have to mean less profit for business, and gives tips to companies on how to reduce waste while improving their bottom line.

Hong Kong Eco-Products Award (HKEPA) 2007 honours 10 outstanding eco-products in Hong Kong. Our media partners South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Economic Times and Wen Wei Po give detailed reports and in-depth introduction about the award, the excellent winning products as well as their the success factors and sustainability journeys of the winning companies:

Choosing green products a new way of life
South China Morning Post (C6, 21 November 2007)
With this three-quarter page supplement, BEC's CEO Dr Andrew Thomson says that sizeable system does not look much like a product with a limited ecological footprint, but green products are needed to be assessed on a continuum rather than in absolutes.

Integrating environmental concerns into business helps sustainable development
Hong Kong Economic Times (A30, 31, 21 November 2007)
With this full page report, BEC's CEO Dr Andrew Thomson says it is encouraging to see that choosing environmentally friendly products is becoming a lifestyle.

Business Environment Council honours 10 eco-products with green excellence
Wen Wei Po (B13, 21 November 2007)
With this two-third page supplement, it introduces HKEPA, entering its fourth year, with its aim to reward those products with high environmental awareness and innovation. "The winning products not only perform well in environmental performance, they are also successful market products," said Dr Andrew Thomson, CEO of BEC.

BEC welcomes HKSAR Chief Executive's Policy Address
RTHK Radio, Backchat 11 October 2007
BEC's COO Kevin Edmunds shared his views of the latest Policy Address. He said that it is very encouraging that the government makes a positive step forward in enhancing quality city and quality life addressing environmental protection and heritage conservation while pushing for economic growth with its 10 major infrastructure projects. He also talked about specific issues on global warming, clean Fuels, clean production and building a green city.

Businesses answer call of green brigade
The Standard, 9 October 2007
BEC's CEO Dr Andrew Thomson said there are more companies realising that sustainable development is a good business strategy. He predicts that there will be more environmentally conscious measures being adopted by firms in the next five years.

Greener buildings a boon for the bottom line
South China Morning Post, 24 September 2007
"The quality is certainly going up. Energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality has improved a lot in the last few years," said Kevin Edmunds of the Hong Kong Beam Society.

CSR Reporting - How to get started and what to do?
The Journal of The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries, September 2007, P.6-13
BEC Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Ms Gaby Oetterli introduces the key concepts of corporate social responsibility reporting and gives some tips on how to get started.

Firms see benefits going green
South China Morning Post, 9 September 2007, A18

Conference to build consensus on reducing corporate ecological footprint
PRC-Magazine, Aug/Sept 2007, P.20


HSBC Living Business Award delivered the results. Below is the media coverage of the Award:

Living Business Award helps SMEs to achieve sustainable Development
Ming Pao Daily News, 26 July 2007, A29

HSBC Living Business Award results released
Hong Kong Economic Times, 26 July 2007, A29

Body helps firms see through the smog
South China Morning Post, 26 July 2007, S3


HSBC Launched its Green Equipment Finance Scheme, allowing SMEs to lend for their environment friendly equipment. Below is the media coverage of the scheme:

Green Equipment Finance benefits SMEs
Oriental Daily News, 31 August 2007

Bank shows businesses its green fingers
The Standard, 20 July 2007

HSBC launches green initiative donating $1 for every $2,000 loan
Ming Pao Daily News, 20 July 2007

Interests rebate for green loans
Hong Kong Economic Times, 20 July 2007

HSBC launches the first green financing initiative
Metropolis Daily, 20 July 2007

HSBC launches green loan
Oriental Daily News, 20 July 2007

HSBC chief and BEC CEO kicked off the Green Equipment Finance
Sing Tao Daily, 20 July 2007

HSBC launches its first environment loan
The Sun, 20 July 2007


Eco-Products Award promotes green products excellence in the 21st century
Sing Tao Daily News, 15 July 2007, B5

Green lights for experts in field
Classified Post, 9 July 2007, CLASS 37

Hong Kong Eco-Products Award honours green product excellence
Prime Magazine, June 2007, P.144

BEC Co-organized the Prime Award for Eco-Business. It is the first award of its kind organized by Prime Magazine
Prime Magazine, June 2007, P.38-46

Andrew Thomson: Education should come first for SMEs to go green
Capital Entrepreneur, June 2007, P.98-101

BEC’s role in promoting sustainable development among businesses was being featured. Elegance Printing and Laputa were also showcased for their environmental efforts and support gained from BEC as members
Cable TV, News Channel No.8, 17 May 2007, 8 pm

HK-BEAM is the leading green standard in the Far East. The standard developed a framework for China to make more sustainable sense than importing rating systems from other continents. HK-BEAM is taking the old saying to “think globally, act locally”
TreeHugger.com, 6 July 2007

Green gains
South China Morning Post, 5 June 2007, C5

South China Morning Post featured a third-quarter page story on how small and medium enterprises can 'make a big difference in protecting the planet'. BEC's CEO Dr Andrew Thomson said businesses had changed their attitudes towards green concerns than a decade before. "The perception is very much the other way around now. Companies are now saying 'This (environmental protection) is an absolute must for our business.' It's a survival issue." Thomson said. The reasons for change include pressure from clients who want ethically produced products and employees who want to feel good about the company they work for.

BEC member, Fook Tin Technologies was also highlighted as an example of small and medium-sized company contributing to global warming by reducing their overall environmental impact. "Taking care of the environment is taking care of resources so that they can be used not only by this generation, but by future generations," said Dr John Chai, Managing Director of Fook Tin.

Andrew Thomson: Education should come first
Capital Entrepreneur, June 2007 Issue, P.98-101

Capital Entrepreneur features a 4-page article reviewing what BEC has achieved since its establishment in 1989. It highlights the work of BEC including energy efficiency, waste management consultancy, and advice to the government on urban and harbour planning and other relative environmental protection policies.

Apart from consultancy and advisory, BEC spreads the importance of sustainable development to the business community through regular trainings, seminars, workshops, conferences and award programmes. The article also lists out the key milestones of BEC in the past 18 years.

BEC's CEO, Dr Andrew Thomson reviews that Hong Kong has made some good progress in different environmental aspects in the past 10 years. He also highlights that all kinds of companies, may it be large, medium or small-sized, can all contribute for a better environment.

Business Environment Council co-organized the Prime Award for Eco-Business
Prime Magazine, June 2007, P.38-46

The Award was organized to respond to government's Clean Air Initiative. Dr Andrew Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of BEC said, "I am pleased to see that all winners demonstrate outstanding environmental governance, moving towards the path of corporate sustainability."

Hong Kong Eco-Products Award 2007 has its launch ceremony on 29 May 2007. Below is the media coverage of the award:

Hong Kong Eco-Products Award 2007 honours green product excellence
Prime Magazine, June 2007, P. 144

The Award is organized by the Business Environment Council (BEC), co-organized by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Manufacturers' Association, Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

Dr Andrew Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of BEC said that winners can gain recognition of their product and also new market opportunities.

Mr Stephen Fong, Chairman of BEC also added that the Award will look at the product's life-cycle, as well as the quality, creativity and marketability of a product.

Award for going green
South China Morning Post, 30 May 2007, C4

Organized by the Business Environment Council, the Hong Kong Eco-Products Award is the only programme of its kind in the city.

The Award aims to encourage local manufacturers to reduce their environmental impact and raise awareness on green issues.

Encourage & recognize green product development
The Hong Kong Eco-Products Award 2007 is now open for entries
Hong Kong Economic Times, 29 May 2007, A27

The Award aims to encourage local manufacturers to reduce the environmental impact arising across their products' life-cycle, as well as raise the awareness of general public by promoting green consumerism.

BEC's Chairman, Mr Stephen Fong highlighted, " More and more large corporations are aware of the corporate social responsibility issues. The environmental performance of the suppliers gives weight to their decision."

The 4th Hong Kong Eco-Products Award now opens for entries
Wen Wei Po, 22 May 2007, A44

The launch ceremony was held on 29 May 2007, honouring green product excellence Environmental recognition helps to build reputation and new market channels.

Carbon free will clear air, Cathay says
South China Morning Post, 29 May 2007, A3

Cathay Pacific says its planned carbon-offset programme for travelers will help clean air in the Pearl River Delta and combat climate change. Business Environment Council Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andrew Thomson said stabilizing climate change was not all about going carbon neutral and energy efficiency should come first.

Environmental performance brings more benefits to business
Capital Entrepreneur, April 2007, P.84-91

BEC's CEO, Dr Andrew Thomson pointed out that all business sectors can achieve sustainable development in different ways. The green investment is only one of the options which help business to sustain growth in the long run without additional cost burden.

BEC consolidates business strengths to create green money
Prime Magazine, March 2007, P.90-91

BEC's COO, Kevin Edmunds said that business, policy makers and stakeholders need to work together to address the environmental issues. "We need to think what sort of living environment we want to create for our future generations", said Edmunds.

Building blocks for a cleaner environment
South China Morning Post, 28 March 2007, A12

Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method (HK-BEAM) was highlighted to be one of the cures to improve the building environment in Hong Kong.

California Air commits to helping the environment by being conscious
Hong Kong Economic Times, 4 March 2007, A29

Their Managing Director, Joe Ng highlighted that joining BEC? events and training is one of the channels to help him understand more about social responsibility.

2006 Hong Kong Awards for Industries: Environmental Performance was featured in the following newspaper supplement:

HKAI gives recognition to outstanding industries
Capital Magazine, March 2007, P.76-78

HKAI recognizes industries' efforts
Capital Entrepreneur, March 2007, P.144

Visionary system of sustainability
South China Morning Post, 6 February 2007, S2

Hong Kong Awards for Industries: Environmental Performance Grand Award winner, Fook Tin Technologies' Dr John Chai said, Environmental performance "is about fulfilling responsibilities. Environmental performance brings about economic benefits when the supply chain becomes more energy efficient and the cost of production comes down."

Business Development: investment in the environment sustains growth
Hong Kong Economic Times, 6 February 2007 SA11-12

Winners' performance can be a role model for companies in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta Region. BEC's CEO Dr Andrew Thomson said that the winners should be proud of their environmental performance for reaching such high standard.

The Award promotes environmental excellence and raises the bar in the industry
Ming Pao Daily News, 6 February 2007, G1, 7

The Grand Award winner, Fook Tin Technologies won the award the second time and demonstrated their continuous improvement for environmental excellence.

Winners' environmental performances are highly impressive
Oriental Daily News, 6 February 2007, B9, 15

BEC's CEO, Dr Andrew Thomson said the winners' environmental performance can be the role model for companies in Hong Kong as well as in China. If more companies are willing to take up the environmental responsibilities, both the air and water quality can be improved, and hence life quality.

A record year for entries. Environmental performance is an assurance to growth
Sing Tao Daily News, 6 February 2007, G1, 8, 12

Award winners demonstrated their commitment in sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.

Sustainable development improves reputation
Wen Wei Po, 6 February 2007, B13-14

Award winners demonstrated their environmental excellence and their commitment to social responsibility. The number of entrants in 2006 was a record high.

Business sector becomes more environmentally friendly
Metro Daily, 31 January 2007, P.22

BEC's COO Kevin Edmunds urged the government to take the lead in purchasing eco products. He believed that the mass purchase from the government can help to lower the cost and boost the demand in the market. Small and medium enterprises can then be beneficial by the lower cost eco products when they implement environmental management.

BEC's CEO Dr Andrew Thomson was interviewed on corporate energy efficiency in the following TVB program:
Money Magazine, TVB Pearl Channel , 30 January 2007, 8pm

Dr Thomson said Swiss Re's staff incentive programme is a cost effective way to "cascade down the message (of energy efficiency) far better than a memo" during his interview with Money Magazine. The Company offers its each of its employees a $35,000 subsidise in 5 years for their purchase of energy efficient appliances or vehicles. Dr Thomson indicated that this is a creative and efficient approach to promote green culture in this leading re-insurance company. Also, it can save the cost on staff training for environmental and energy efficiency, which will create dividends in return.

HSBC Living Business Award 2007 Launch Ceremony was featured in:

Cross-sector to promote sustainable development among small and medium enterprises
18 January 2007, Hong Kong Economic Times, A22

Supported by Business Environment Council, the HSBC Living Business Award 2007 aims to promote and reward those SMEs who incorporate sustainability concepts into their business.
The application deadline for the Award is 20 April 2007.