Best and brightest businesses illustrate that sound environmental practices deliver substantial gains

Some of Hong Kong's brightest green companies were honoured for their contribution to protecting the environment at the Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards 2000, held on Jan. 16.

This year's scheme was organised by the Environmental Campaign Committee, in collaboration with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, and the Hong Kong Productivity Council.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Secretary for Commerce and Industry Chau Tak-hay (right) said that since its launch in 1999, the Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards have provided a platform to showcase private sector efforts in environmental protection.

The awards also provide an effective means to educate the private sector about the importance of environmental management and to promote the principles of green practices among Hong Kong companies, he said.

"Our community is now attaching increasing importance to the conservation of our natural environment. This includes the business sector, which has come to realise that the adoption of sound environmental practices is a rewarding investment rather than an undue burden," Mr Chau said.

"Green management practices contribute towards business efficiency in the form of reduced operating costs, an improved working environment and enhanced customer relations. These green dividends add value to goods and services, and ultimately count towards enhancing the competitiveness of our enterprises."

Three award categories were up for grabs: the Green Office Award, Green Property Management Award, and Best Environmental Reporting Award, with each category having a Grand Award and three Gold Award winners.

In the Green Office Award category, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong took the Grand Award, while Architectural Services Department, CLP Power Hong Kong (Generation Business Group), and Hang Yick Properties Management (Headquarters) each received a Gold Award.

Hang Yick Properties Management (Tak Bo Garden) and Kai Shing Management Services (Palm Springs & Royal Palms) each took the Grand Award in the Green Property Management Award. Beverly Hill (Estate Management), Funing Property Management (Tsui Ning Garden) and Sino Estates Management (Hong Kong Gold Coast Phases I & II) each took Gold Awards.

In the Best Environmental Reporting Award, CLP Power Hong Kong was presented with the Grand Award, followed by Carven Circuits and Cathay Pacific Airways which each took a Gold Award.

The assessment criteria for the Green Office Award and the Green Property Management Awards were based on measures undertaken to conserve energy and water, reduce waste, re-use and recycling, and the general improvement of the environment in the workplace.