[Sponsored Article] Climate change is a global threat that is perhaps more imminent than many would like to believe. One of the more direct and effective measures to deal with the threat is decarbonisation, both with an increase in low-carbon electricity supply on the generation side, and by lowering carbon footprint for all energy users. In Hong Kong, the wider community can play an active role in the fight against climate change with relative ease. Leading energy provider CLP is committed to boosting wider adoption of green energy in support of the HKSAR Government’s goal to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Following the launch of CLP’s Climate Vision 2050, back in 2007, multiple measures have been put in place in regions where CLP does business. In Hong Kong, the company upsurges the proportion of gas-fired power generation, and increases the renewable energy capacity by rolling out the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff scheme and the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) programme. In a recent celebratory event, CLP introduced to the wider community one of the company’s most outstanding partnerships in Hong Kong. Rosewood Hong Kong has made a significant contribution to the development of green energy in the city by committing to buy 13 gigawatt hours’ worth of REC for six years from 2020, equivalent to a reduction of around 4,800 tonnes in carbon emissions associated with electricity. The purchase marks the biggest transaction since the launch of the programme. Thanks to the REC initiative introduced in Hong Kong in January 2019, CLP works hand in hand with various organisations across industries and sectors in the city towards the goal. The community wide initiative is open to all present and future partners. For business operators, it provides them a flexible and easy-to-manage option to support the development of local clean energy and to contribute to a sustainable future for Hong Kong. The initiative works like this: each unit of REC represents the environmental attributes of renewable electricity that is either directly generated or purchased by CLP from local renewable energy sources including solar power, wind power, and landfill gas projects. The renewable energy concerned, ever expanding, comes from new projects connected to the CLP grid. What’s more, most of the energy is generated within a 25 kilometre radius of the point of consumption. Companies supporting the initiative buy various units of RECs from CLP, from as low as 100 units, and they will be able to obtain a reliable round-the-clock green energy mix for renewable energy consumption. By joining the REC initiative, organisations enjoy the benefits of qualifying for the right to claim greenhouse gas or other pollutant emission reduction associated with the electricity generated from renewable energy sources. The fact that they opt for supporting local renewable energy sources in their operations rightly helps them build a greener corporate image and fulfil their relevant corporate social responsibility. The CLP REC’s spirit is in line with that of the key worldwide corporate leadership initiative RE100 founded by global platform for environmental disclosure CDP and The Climate Group. CDP runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. While it is true that international and local organisations demonstrate their support for the development of renewable energy with the action, the REC is also a convenient way for organisations to meet their own self-imposed or mandatory Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements. With the encouragement and technical support from CLP, an increasing number of Hong Kong-based international and local organisations have pledged to reduce environmental and social impact concerning their businesses. The example demonstrated by Rosewood Hong Kong offers the public a vivid case in point. “This collaboration between CLP and Rosewood Hong Kong marks a milestone in our commitment to decarbonisation and long-term sustainability,” said Lena Low, Senior Director – Customer & Business Development of CLP Power. Low notes that CLP’s journey to a greener tomorrow can be challenging, but the energy provider is making steady progress. She added: “In 2020, we achieved a reduction of 26 per cent in our carbon intensity compared with the year before, outperforming other developed countries such as Japan and South Korea. In the medium-to-long term, we plan to bring even more zero-carbon energy to Hong Kong through regional cooperation agreements as we travel towards a lower-carbon future with our neighbours and regional friends.” Hoss Vetry, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of Rosewood Hong Kong, shared their commitment to sustainability and renewable energy as part of their sustainability strategies. “One of Rosewood’s pledges is to value the Earth’s resources and demonstrate environmental sensitivity,” said Vetry. “We take the privilege of our prime waterside location and make excellent use of natural water sources to conserve and reduce energy by implementing sustainable and environmental policies.” “What’s more, motion sensors are installed in each guest room to help reduce energy consumption; LED light bulbs with dimming control are used in 90 per cent of the hotel’s lighting system,” added Vetry. With CLP being the energy partner, Rosewood Hong Kong received Energy Audit services that help further identify potential energy saving opportunities and reduce energy costs. The hotel also joined CLP’s Peak Demand Management Scheme in 2020 and thus has reduced electricity consumption during peak demand hours on air-conditioning and lighting areas wherever feasible. The REC is an essential part signifying the full support of CLP’s renewable energy pledge. As Hong Kong’s leading energy provider, CLP also encourages the wider community to take a strong stand to protect the planet, as shown by Rosewood Hong Kong for a greener future, by supporting renewable energy. And so, play their part together in building a more sustainable city. For more information on this initiative, check out the CLP REC programme . Every business can play a role in the easily actionable programme, and make positive changes to the world.