CEO Message
Dear Members and Partners,
Warm wishes for the holiday season, and welcome to this, our inaugural E-flash - BEC's monthly electronic newsletter. E-flash will cover local to international environmental issues, key business trends, latest tools and technologies, and emerging issues and solutions.
As we round out the first decade of the 3rd millennium - we can reflect on the key challenges in society, and the role business must play in driving the transition towards a low carbon economy and a pollution free environment. Events at Copenhagen and more recently Cancun in Mexico have highlighted that the voluntary efforts of business remain a key factor in this transition, while business pragmatism demands we build a stronger and more compelling business case. This will come from many angles; deployment of clean technologies, resource scarcity and increased prices of commodities, efficiency or more appropriately "eco-efficiency" as cost saving measures, as well as fundamental market shift in lifestyle and consumption patterns - driving green production, and the associated new market opportunities.
In this issue we cover carbon measurement, management and reporting as emerging tools in the global business community. This echoes the increasing national climate change commitment to be measurable, reportable and verifiable as set out in the Copenhagen and Cancun UN climate change conferences. We also look at the efforts of leading companies to green their businesses through partnership programs and extended product responsibility. Finally, we introduce some of our own partnership programs and initiatives, as part of the local context. In concert, these form part of the global response to sustainable development and environmental challenges. E-flash will be a quick point of reference for busy executives that want to learn about the key trends and efforts being taken by their peers. It will also be a platform for sharing - building over time to a comprehensive understanding and capacity of how to green our business community.
We welcome your views and news, and looking forward to working with you on this journey - whether in achieving year on year improvements internally, or as part of the medium to longer terms goals in our community.
Wishing you all every success in the year ahead.
Dr Andrew L Thomson
Chief Executive Officer
Business Environment Council
Content
Trend
Carbon Measurement, Management and Disclosure - The emergence of reporting the non-financial performance
by Dr Margaret Burnett | Head of Corporate Sustainability
It is safe to say that if your organization is not measuring its GHG emissions (or carbon footprint, or energy consumption) it is not only missing a great opportunity to save money but, faces falling behind its competitors, not to mention facing some dents to your reputation.
The emerging rules of the game
There are many indicators out there telling us the same story: measure your energy consumption and GHG emissions because the market, your stakeholders and soon regulators will be demanding this information routinely. If you find yourself not being able to provide this information you face any one of the following: if you are a supplier, your buyer may drop you from their list; without a clear demonstration of carbon and energy management, investors may see you as a risk; if you operate in many jurisdictions your organization likely faces with both voluntary and mandatory forms of carbon disclosure requirements. Do not be fooled by voluntary carbon requirements, they often lead to mandatory carbon reporting and, in addition we see “Scope 3” emissions becoming a significant aspect of carbon measurement and management.
For example, the release of the Global 500 Report, Carbon Disclosure Project's (CDP) annual summary of climate reporting by the world's 500 largest companies, gives information on corporations' reporting about climate change and their supply chains.
Getting the supply chain involved
The number of companies reporting on their supply chains continues to grow. Two years ago, only about a quarter of the world's top 500 companies reported on "Scope 3" greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or the emissions from activities they have influence over, but fall outside direct ownership or control, such as in their supply chains. Companies such as Walmart and Kraft are closely examining supply chain issues anticipating emerging enterprise risks and opportunities. The provision of this depth of information is a new development in CDP reporting, and can be seen in the more systematic way that CDP is asking questions.
Contributor: Dr. Margaret Burnett, Head of Corporate Sustainability, BEC. Dr. Burnett and her team have solid experience in facilitating companies of all sizes to implement corporate sustainability management measures. One of their specialties is on measurement, management and disclosure of the companies’ environmental, social and governance performance.
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BEC Programmes
Global Citizenship - Achieving Mutual Sustainability Targets with Stakeholders Seminar
Representatives from diverse fields and sectors in the business community attended the Global Citizenship Seminar jointly organized by Business Environment Council (BEC) and Ricoh Hong Kong. The expert discussions focused particularly on how a global sustainability strategy is realized and adopted in regional and local context.
Mr Toshiki Fujino, Assistant General Manager (Social Environmental Department, Ricoh China) shared on Ricoh’s commitment to developing a Sustainable, Recycling-based ideal society. Mr Fujino further explained the three major tools adopted in their PDCA Cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) environmental management strategy, namely, Eco Balance, Integrated Environment Impact and Environment Accounting.
Ir Terence Cheng, Senior Specialist (Corporate Sustainability, BEC) talked about how organizations can demonstrate their CS performance by building trust and promoting transparency. In his presentation, Ir Cheng shared the relationship between stakeholder engagement and developing an effective management action plan. The recently released CS Report of Ricoh was quoted as an example to illustrate the concept.
Ms Vicki Kwan, Senior Market Development Manager (Marketing & Business Development Division, Ricoh HK) explained how customers are engaged in achieving the sustainability targets of Ricoh through users’ education and partnership. On average, their customers are able to save 20% to 30% monthly expense in printing and paper consumption.
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New BEC Members
BEC warmly welcomes the three General Members to join this sustainable platform for businesses!
- Sustainable Energy Solutions Hong Kong Limited
- Mexel Hong Kong Limited
- Veolia ES Waste Collection Hong Kong Limited
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BEC Consultancy Services
Building and Energy Efficiency (BEE) Team
The BEE Team has been at the forefront of the green building movement in Hong Kong since the early 1990s driving the sustainability agenda and energy efficiency in the built environment.
Service Updates: Research - Renovation of Old Industrial Buildings
Recognition of the Building and Energy Efficiency team’s green building expertise has been recognised by the Hong Kong Green Building Council. We are currently studying the practical application of BEAM Plus for the renovation of Hong Kong’s old industrial buildings. The results of the study will be shared with the Architectural Services Department to assist in developing future policy.
Corporate Sustainability (CS) Team
The CS Team possesses the professional know-how to incorporate CS to your company from beginning stage towards maturing stage.
Service updates
Recognising SMEs for pursuing excellence in CS
Lately, the CS team has successfully co-organised the HSBC Living Business Award with HSBC. Over 160 local SMEs were recognised for their strong commitment to practicing corporate sustainability and pursuing excellence.
Strengthening stakeholder engagement
The team has submitted a funding application to the Sustainable Development Fund aiming at enhancing the delivery of CS strategies to the SME sector. This project will be undertaken using fairly intensive stakeholder engagement activities.
Environmental Management (EM) Team
The EM Team provides support to businesses in identifying and managing eco-footprints and offers strategic consultancy in achieving environmental excellence.
Service updates
Connecting environmental management with the greater public
The EM team continues to partner with Hong Kong Productivity Council as the project consultants for Environmental Campaign Council to implement the HKAEE 2010.
The team also actively channel how corporate manage the environmental performance to the general public by organising the Corporate Sustainability for Schools (an initiative funded by the Sustainable Development Fund), to date, over 16 school talks and company visits had been resumed since the commencement of new academic year.
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Upcoming BEC Events
25 March 2011 - EnviroSeries Conference on Low Carbon Technology
We are delighted to inform you that the coming EnviroSeries Conference, BEC's signature event, will be held on 25 March 2011, with the theme of "Green Technology". We welcome your support, sponsorships and ideas on collaborative side events. For further information, Ms Yammie Yeung (T. 2784 3924 E. yammie@bec.org.hk) will be happy to assist. Please click here to know more about our EnviroSeries Conferences.
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