September 15, 2010
PRESS STATEMENT
Hong Kong Launches Carbon Care Champions community
Climate care actions in Hong Kong got a celebrated push today as local integrated carbon solution provider Carbon Care Asia (CCA) hosted a reception and launched the Carbon Care Champions Award Scheme to promote carbon reduction and offset actions. Mr Edward Yau, JP, Secretary for the Environment, was invited to be the officiating guest of the ceremony, and leading popular singer Ms Kay Tse was invited to receive the Individual Carbon Care Champion souvenir.
The Carbon Care Champions Reception Ceremony was held in the wake of the Government’s announcement last week of a public consultation program on Hong Kong’s climate change strategy and action agenda. In his public statement, Mr Edward Yau emphasized the need for Hong Kong “to adopt a proactive and forward-looking strategy in tackling climate change that is directed at our emission characteristics”, and added that “the community has to act collectively towards a common goal.”
CCA Chairman Mr. Chong Chan Yau described the Ceremony as a groundbreaking occasion to inspire more tangible and meaningful carbon reduction actions through measuring, reducing and offsetting the carbon footprint of our daily activities. “We can see that Hong Kong’s carbon care community is rapidly growing, and are encouraged by today’s presence of so many renowned individuals and leaders of various organisations who have championed the cause of carbon reduction and offsets,” said Mr Chong.
In a well-attended ceremony, the Regal Hong Kong Hotel of the Regal Hotels International, who was the Event’s venue sponsor and supporting organization, was presented the Carbon Care Corporate Champion souvenir, alongside a dozen fellow champions. The Carbon Care Champions all held up their zero emission souvenir — a traditional Chinese paper fan with ‘Carbon Care Champion’ handwritten by a Chinese calligrapher. Regal i-club Hotel of the Regal Hotels International is the first carbon neutral hotel in Hong Kong.
Customers of CCA carbon offsets can also help make additional funding contribution to two local NGOs who have strong community support and influence in their important work on sustainability and climate change response. “CCA is most happy to be able to offer a 6% donation from its carbon offset revenues, upon our clients’ nomination, to two most longstanding and renowned local environmental NGOs – The Conservancy Association and Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong),” said Dr. Trini Leung, CCA’s Executive Director.
The newly announced Carbon Care Champions Award Scheme is set up for the purpose of promoting carbon culture change and facilitating immediate carbon care actions taken by organizations and individuals. It aims to deliver 420,000 tonnes of carbon reduction in 2011, which represent about 1% of total carbon emissions of Hong Kong.
A Judges Panel comprising independent experts will be set up by CCA. Regular events will be held among the Carbon Care Champions communities.
The Champions Awards will be presented at an annual ceremony, the first of which is scheduled to be in next September.
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Photo captions:
- Carbon Care Individual and Corporate / Organisation Champions with officiating guest Mr Edward Yau, JP, Secretary for the Environment (2nd right, front row) and Carbon Care Asia directors.
- The zero-carbon Chinese paper fan, presented by Carbon Care Asia Chairman Chong Chan Yau (1st left) and Executive Director Dr Trini Leung (1st right) to VIP guests Mr Edward Yau and Ms Kay Tse
- Customers of CCA carbon offsets can help make additional funding contribution to two local NGOs’ important work on sustainability and climate change response. CCA Chairman Chong Chan Yau, Executive Director Dr Trini Leung pictured with representatives of the donation scheme beneficiaries — Mr Ken So (1st right) , Chief Executive of The Conservancy Association and Ms Janet Fok ( 2nd left), Development Manager of Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong).