Sustainable development is one of the most challenging issues facing the world today. The immediate implications might not seem as pressing as the economic downturn, but the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and dwindling resources could pose a far bigger threat to long-term prosperity.
Although Hong Kong companies are still lagging behind over corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies, one of the city's top listed companies, Swire Pacific, adopted a sustainable development policy in 2007.
Designed to address the technological and economic changes required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to meet other sustainability challenges, it provides a guide for businesses in the group on how to address these issues in the medium to long term. The strategy covers five key areas: environment, health and safety, employees, business partners and communities.
'This policy committed us to working on environmental, health and safety, employment, supply chain and community issues which our operations affect,' said Christopher Pratt, the company's chairman. 'It further committed us to work with other parties to promote sustainable development in the industries in which we operate.'
Swire Properties' energy efficiency measures saved two million kilowatt hours last year compared with 2007.
Cathay Pacific improved its fuel consumption by 1.2 per cent. Swire Beverages reduced water used per litre by 12.6 per cent. Vogue Laundry reduced water consumption per kilogram of linen processed by 6 per cent. Its health and safety policies resulted in a 2.4 per cent reduction in the lost time injury rate last year at Taikoo (Xiamen) Engineering Company and Swire Beverages. Driver safety, hazard identification, risk management and behaviour-based safety programmes were launched by companies in the group.
