BDO, the world’s fifth largest accountancy and advisory network, announced the winners of the 5th BDO ESG Awards (the Awards), comprising listed companies in Hong Kong that have made a positive impact in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) domains through the implementation of outstanding sustainability initiatives. The winners were made known during the BDO ESG Awards Presentation Ceremony, which is the first physical awards presentation ceremony to be held since the COVID outbreak. All of the finalists were invited to the ceremony to personally witness and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the winning companies.
The Theme Award this year, echoing the Awards’ position as a champion of ESG excellence, continued to emphasise the importance of carbon neutrality and the urgent need to combat climate change. Correspondingly, it honoured listed companies that have dedicated efforts to achieving carbon neutrality, including their initiatives and performance in reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, this year witnessed the introduction of the new Outstanding ESG Performance of H-share Companies Awards category (full list below).
Mr Clement Chan, BBS MH JP, Managing Director, BDO, said, “We are pleased to see an overwhelming number of nominations this year, which represent listed companies in Hong Kong in general are now better equipped themselves to meet ESG compliance and commitments. BDO has long been an advocate of sustainability. We have not only incorporated ESG practices into our own operations, but also assist companies on ESG reporting and risk management. Moreover, with our commitment to promoting the importance of ESG, we established the Awards with the objectives of spurring more enterprises to implement best ESG practices and make every effort in creating a greener world.”
Mr Johnson Kong, Managing Director, BDO, said, “Through the peer benchmarking of ESG reporting and performance among Hong Kong listed companies, and the encouragement of ESG awards like ours, we hope that listed companies will be motivated to keep improving their ESG performance. Looking ahead, BDO will continue to support Hong Kong listed companies in improving all aspects of ESG so as to create long-term value and maintain Hong Kong as a leading international financial centre and green finance hub.”
This year’s awards have received significant recognition from listed companies in Hong Kong, as demonstrated by the impressive number of nominations received. As the winners hail from diverse industries and vary in market capitalisation, this highlights the wide-ranging excellence of the competing field. Noteworthy recipients include Sino Land Company Limited (00083.HK), Kerry Properties Limited (00683.HK), and China State Construction Development Holdings Limited (00830.HK), that were honoured with the coveted ESG Report of the Year Awards, deemed the most outstanding accolade in ESG performance and reporting. Additionally, CLP Holdings Limited (00002.HK) received the esteemed Theme Award for its exceptional commitment to ESG principles, particularly in the realm of carbon neutrality. Overall, the awards celebrated the commitment and outstanding contributions of listed companies to sustainable practices.
This year’s award presentation ceremony also featured a symposium on ‘Shaping business strategies for carbon neutrality’. Climate change poses economic challenges alongside environmental concerns, and investors now require businesses’ comprehensive transition plans and clear roadmaps for achieving carbon neutrality. In response, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited has proposed stringent climate-related reporting requirements, emphasising rigorous disclosures and aligning with international standards. Businesses therefore face the dual challenge of mitigating environmental impacts while remaining profitable. The symposium explored the approaches and considerations to take when devising strategies for tackling such challenges.
Panellists including Ricky Cheng, Director and Head of Risk Advisory at BDO; Professor Christine Loh, SBS, JP, OBE, Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, Chief Development Strategist at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Ben McQuhae, Founder of Ben McQuhae & Co and Honorary Advisor at Hong Kong Green Finance Association, together with the moderator Eric Ng, News Editor at the Climate Desk of the South China Morning Post, discussed how businesses can meet the expectations of investors and stakeholders, integrate data into science-based targets, accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, and leverage ESG as a transformative force. They also covered strategies that enable businesses to align with investor demands, effectively manage risks, and capitalise on opportunities in the context of carbon neutrality and sustainable practices.
BDO ESG Awards 2023 Winners (listed in alphabetical order)
Best in ESG – Large Market Capitalisation
CLP Holdings Limited (00002.HK)
Lenovo Group Limited (00992.HK)
Sino Land Company Limited (00083.HK)
Best in ESG – Mid Market Capitalisation
Kerry Properties Limited (00683.HK)
PCCW Limited (00008.HK)
VTech Holdings Limited (00303.HK)
Best in ESG – Small Market Capitalisation
Canvest Environmental Protection Group Company Limited (01381.HK)
China Everbright Greentech Limited (01257.HK)
Fosun Tourism Group (01992.HK)
Best in Reporting – Large Market Capitalisation
HKT Trust and HKT Limited (06823.HK)
Lenovo Group Limited (00992.HK)
Sino Land Company Limited (00083.HK)
Best in Reporting – Mid Market Capitalisation
Kerry Properties Limited (00683.HK)
PCCW Limited (00008.HK)
VTech Holdings Limited (00303.HK)
Best in Reporting – Small Market Capitalisation
China State Construction Development Holdings Limited (00830.HK)
Q P Group Holdings Limited (01412.HK)
Tam Jai International Co. Limited (02217.HK)
ESG Report of the Year – Large Market Capitalisation
Sino Land Company Limited (00083.HK)
ESG Report of the Year – Mid Market Capitalisation
Kerry Properties Limited (00683.HK)
ESG Report of the Year – Small Market Capitalisation
China State Construction Development Holdings Limited (00830.HK)
Outstanding ESG Performance of H-share Companies
BBMG Corporation (02009.HK)
Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (02318.HK)
Zijin Mining Group Company Limited (02899.HK)
Theme Award
CLP Holdings Limited (00002.HK)
Photo 1: Representatives of BDO and panel of judges attend the BDO ESG Awards 2023 Presentation Ceremony.Photo 2: Symposium panellists (from left to right) moderator Mr Eric Ng, News Editor at the Climate Desk of the South China Morning Post; Mr Ricky Cheng, Director and Head of Risk Advisory at BDO; Mr Ben McQuhae, Founder of Ben McQuhae & Co and Honorary Advisor at Hong Kong Green Finance Association; and Professor Christine Loh, SBS, JP, OBE, Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite, Chief Development Strategist at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.Photo 3: A group photo comprising representatives of award winners, BDO, SCMP, HKET and judging panel and supporting organisations at the BDO ESG Awards Presentation Ceremony.
About BDO
BDO’s global organisation extends across 164 countries and territories, with more than 110,300 professionals working out of 1,803 offices – and they’re towards one goal: to provide our clients with exceptional service. BDO was established in Hong Kong in 1981 and is committed to facilitating the growth of businesses by advising the people behind them. BDO in Hong Kong provides an extensive range of professional services including assurance services, business services and outsourcing, risk advisory services, specialist advisory services and tax services. For more details, visit www.bdo.com.hk.
BDO, the world’s fifth largest accountancy network, today announced and honoured the winners of the fourth BDO ESG Awards (the “Awards”). This competition is widely supported by listed enterprises and this year’s winners were selected from a pool of 90 nominations, all of which showcased excellence in ESG reporting and disclosure. The awardees were chosen by a prestigious and professional panel of judges in recognition of the outstanding sustainability initiatives they have implemented. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s BDO ESG Awards Presentation Ceremony was held online, with stakeholders and the general public invited to witness the efforts and achievements of the winning companies in relation to ESG reporting over the past year. In response to rapid global warming, companies should fulfil their corporate responsibilities and implement measures to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases generated from business activities, thus realising a long-term net zero emission business model. This year, the Theme Award adopts the theme of “Carbon Neutrality”, and in 2021 BDO International launched the BDO Sustainability Movement, promising to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. All BDO offices are working together to fulfil this commitment and to avoid adverse impacts on the planet. BDO also aims to recognise companies that have achieved net zero emissions and have performed well in all aspects of carbon reduction (see the full list below).
Dr Carlye Tsui BBS MBE JP, Chairman of the Judging Panel of the “Best in Reporting Awards” and Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Institute of Directors, said, “ESG adoption is driven by board leadership, corporate culture and staff action together. ESG reporting serves to convey the company’s values and contribution to the stakeholders. I am pleased with the entries of high standards and the awarded report of excellence. The awards project is once again laudable in promoting sustainability.”
Dr William Yu, Chairman of the Judging Panel of the “Best in ESG Awards” and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of World Green Organisation, said, “As we know ESG is currently the spotlight of the market, it’s good to see how award participants are addressing business precedents in their reports and preparing for TCFD frame work so as to address the primaries. Being a board member, I will encourage active participation as it is equally important. Overall, I’m delighted to see BDO continues the determination to bring a positive impact to the society.
Ms Karen Ho, Chairman of the Judging Panel of the “Theme Award” and Head of Corporate and Community Sustainability, WWF-Hong Kong, said, “Thanks to BDO for organising this ESG “Theme Award” with focus on carbon neutrality. We are at a defining moment in the fight to tackle climate change, to limit warming to 1.5 degree Celsius and avoid the most catastrophic impacts for people and nature. The corporate sector has a central role to play by rapidly reducing your emissions in line with climate science. Companies must work with your supply chain, customers, investors, regulators and civil society to take decisive actions for sustainability.”
Mr Clement Chan, MH JP, Managing Director of Assurance, BDO in Hong Kong, said, “The BDO ESG Awards has entered its fourth year. We aim to continue encouraging listed companies to raise their awareness of social responsibility and sustainable development initiatives. 2022 is a challenging year, with each company needing to find ways to reinvent itself to maintain operations as the epidemic rages on. We are pleased to see many old friends, as well as some new faces, participating in this year’s Awards, demonstrating their continuous efforts and outstanding achievements in ESG. As this year’s Awards has adopted the theme of “Carbon Neutrality”, we are also happy to see many companies showcasing their efforts to achieve net zero emissions through carbon reduction, in addition to incorporating this goal into their long-term business model. BDO as part of the Net Zero Financial Service Providers Alliance, has committed to supporting the goal of global net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Mr Johnson Kong, Managing Director of Non-Assurance, BDO in Hong Kong, said, “We received nearly 90 nominations for this year’s Awards. On behalf of BDO, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the judges, media partners and supporting organisations for making this year’s Awards possible. I would also like to thank all participating companies. We are excited to witness their achievements and continuous growth in the area of ESG. Affected by the pandemic, we have shifted the award presentation ceremony to an online mode for two consecutive years. We look forward to meeting you next year to share the joy and witness the achievements of the winning companies together.” Going forward, we at BDO will continue to offer support to Hong Kong listed companies, help them raise ESG standards and performance and in turn promote the overall development of ESG in Hong Kong.”
Mr Ricky Cheng, Director and Head of Risk Advisory, BDO in Hong Kong, said, “As a keen advocate for continuous enhancements in ESG, we are delighted to see more and more listed companies committing to raising the quality of ESG practices and disclosure. With the increasing standard of ESG reporting and the outstanding performance of the participating companies, competition was intense for this year’s ‘ESG Report of the Year Awards’, making it extremely difficult for the judges to select the winners. We would like to thank the judges who have applied their expertise and experience in the judging process to ensure the Awards are credible and representative. To capitalise on this trend, BDO will spare no efforts to increase ESG engagement, thereby further strengthening Hong Kong’s leading position as an International Financial Centre.”
BDO ESG Awards 2022 Winners (listed in alphabetical order)
Best in ESG – Large Cap CLP Holdings Limited (002.HK) New World Development Company Limited (017.HK) The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (003.HK)
Best in ESG – Mid Cap COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (1199.HK) Kerry Properties Limited (683.HK) Xinyi Energy Holdings Limited (3868.HK)
Best in ESG – Small Cap China Everbright Greentech Limited (1257.HK) Miramar Hotel and Investment Company Limited (071.HK) Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust (435.HK)
Best in ESG – GEM Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited (8320.HK) Roma Group Limited (8072.HK)
Best in Reporting – Large Cap CLP Holdings Limited (002.HK) Lenovo Group Limited (992.HK) New World Development Company Limited (017.HK)
Best in Reporting – Mid Cap China Everbright Environment Group Limited (257.HK) China Power International Development Limited (2380.HK) Kerry Properties Limited (683.HK)
Best in Reporting – Small Cap China Everbright Greentech Limited (1257.HK) Miramar Hotel and Investment Company Limited (071.HK) Tai Hing Group Holdings Limited (6811.HK)
Best in Reporting – GEM Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited (8320.HK) Roma Group Limited (8072.HK)
ESG Report of the Year – Large Cap CLP Holdings Limited (002.HK)
ESG Report of the Year – Mid Cap Kerry Properties Limited (683.HK)
ESG Report of the Year – Small Cap China Everbright Greentech Limited (1257.HK)
ESG Report of the Year – GEM Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited (8320.HK)
Theme Award CLP Holdings Limited (002.HK)
About BDO BDO’s global organisation extends across 164 countries and territories, with more than 95,000 professionals working out of over 1,700 offices – and they’re towards one goal: to provide our clients with exceptional service. BDO was established in Hong Kong in 1981 and is committed to facilitating the growth of businesses by advising the people behind them. BDO in Hong Kong provides an extensive range of professional services including assurance services, business services and outsourcing, risk advisory services, specialist advisory services and tax services. For more details, visit www.bdo.com.hk.
Contacts: BDO in Hong Kong Sala Lo Senior Marketing Manager, BDO Hong Kong Tel +852 2218 3042 Mobile +852 9613 5175 salalo@bdo.com.hk
Heidi Lau Marketing Manager, BDO Hong Kong Tel +852 2218 2325 Mobile +852 9285 4151 heidilau@bdo.com.hk
Strategic Financial Relations Limited Heidi So Tel +852 2864 4826 heidi.so@sprg.com.hk
Margret Lam Tel +852 2114 4956 margaret.lam@sprg.com.hk
Verizon Business today announced the winners of the third annual BlueJeans by Verizon Customer Awards on Verizons Up to Speed. As a reflection of customers globally who are deploying BlueJeans solutions to transform the way they collaborate, communicate, and get work done, the 2022 award winners are being recognized for achieving outcomes that positively drive their business and society forward.
Workplace priorities have come a long way over the past few years, with collaboration and connectivity making their way to the top of the priority tech stack, said Chadd Thompson, global head of marketing and customer experience, BlueJeans by Verizon. Experiences are driving the workplace of the future, and our customers are at the forefront of leading the transformation that will help to drive business and society forward.
Showcasing how collaborative, inclusive and immersive communication initiatives can be, the 2022 BlueJeans by Verizon Customer Award category winners and honorees are:
Most Successful Hybrid Work Transformation – Winner: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Successfully navigated change to create new revenue streams, ensure continuity, and/or foster connectedness in todays new world of work.
Honorable Mentions: Northwood Technical College, Findley Foundation
Biggest Impact – Winner: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Med)
Showed significant return on investment as a result of using BlueJeans, honoring a diverse set of outcomes.
Most Innovative Use Case – Winner: Wharton Interactive, The Wharton School
Demonstrated superior skills in applying BlueJeans video technology to support a creative or pioneering use case outside of traditional virtual meetings.
Honorable Mentions: Jujotech, Risolviamo
Best Use of BlueJeans Events – Winner: Red Hat
Most creative or successful use of BlueJeans for events to support brand awareness, customer retention, and/or human resource initiatives such as employee engagement and culture building.
Honorable Mention: ConnectUS
Learn more about the 2022 awards on the BlueJeans By Verizon Customer Awards page. To see how leading organizations are using BlueJeans to improve their productivity, communication and collaboration, visit the Featured Customers page.
Yesterday in NITI Aayog premises, ‘Next Generation Water Action (NGWA) Global Multi-hub Pre-event’ was held, followed by the virtual NGWA Global Multi-hub finals.
Amongst the five Indian student teams that participated, two teams won the following awards-
1. IWA world water Congress Scholarship- Team Hydrogravitricity
2. Acceleration Scholarship Award of 1000 Euros – Team BARCO
The Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog was the challenge partner from India. The event happened simultaneously in 5 countries – Mexico, India, South Korea, Kenya and Denmark. In order to select the students for the NGWA finals, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog had launched the AIM-ICDK 2.0 Water Innovation Challenge in partnership with Innovation Center Denmark (ICDK), Embassy of Denmark and Denmark Technical University (DTU). This event is a part of the greater Indo-Danish Bilateral Green strategic partnership.
Doubling down on the efforts to scale up innovations in the water sector, the AIM-ICDK 2.0 water innovation challenge was rolled out under the year-old ambitious partnership of AIM, NITI Aayog and Innovation Center Denmark (ICDK) under the aegis of Embassy of Denmark.
The initiative aims to identify innovative & next-gen solutions to solve proposed challenges in collaboration with corporate and public partners. The initiative will engage young talents from leading universities and innovation hubs across the nation to build their skills and apply their technical disciplines and innovation capacity to come up with technology-driven innovative solutions for management of water related challenges, not only for India but for the world.
The winners of the challenges will also represent India at the International Water Congress 2022. Denmark Embassy in India, and the Denmark Technical University (DTU) to prepare the Indian participants for the Global Next Generation Water Action (NGWA) program hosted by DTU. The winners of the challenges participated in the challenges as Indian participation for the global Next Generation Water Action program and engaged with young talents from leading universities and innovation hubs.
Talking at the event, His Excellency, Deputy Ambassador of Denmark to India, Mr. Martin Strandgaard, said “The collaboration between AIM and ICDK at Embassy of Denmark shows the strong relationship between Denmark and India. It shows how our Green Strategic Partnership is used to solve some of today’s most pressing matters. Such as access to water resources in India. I am also very happy that this relationship gives us a chance to work with the youth of India. Your engagement in solving some of the world’s most critical issues, shows your commitment to making the world a better and more sustainable place. This event may be focused on problems in India, but if we can solve environmental problems in this huge and diverse country, then we can solve them everywhere.
Avinash Mishra, Adviser (Water Resources & Land Resources), NITI Aayog’s said-“As we all may agree, challenges in the water sector are translated into challenges in many other sectors. Going forward, these challenges will become more complex due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change impacts. The Atal Innovation Mission – Innovation Centre Denmark (AIM-ICDK) Water Innovation Challenge becomes relevant in this context”
Speaking at the event, Dr Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission said- “AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge is a flagship initiative between India and Denmark. It is heartening to witness the Young entrepreneurs across the world pitching their ideas on international forum like this, on a topic which is essentially a part of our lives i.e. Water. Creating innovations in the water area is not a luxury and but it is the need of the hour, and I am glad that these young students have taken up this responsibility.”
Notes to the Editor:
Atal Innovation Mission
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is Government of India’s flagship initiative to create and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of our country. AIM’s objective is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platforms and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, and create an umbrella structure to oversee the innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystem of the country.
Know more: https://aim.gov.in/
Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK)
Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) in India is a partnership between the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Trade Council, and the Danish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education. The focus areas for the Innovation Centres are Clean-tech, ICT, and Life Sciences.
ICDK offers several services for startups including partner search, market research and network opportunities.
Know more: https://icdk.dk/about-us
The international Water Association (IWA)
The International Water Association is an open, yet ordered platform in which both innovators and adopters of new technologies and approaches can generate creative friction. It is a place for diffusion, benchmarking and evidence. IWA members are situated in 140 countries worldwide, forming the largest international network of water professionals working towards a water wise world.
Know more: https://iwa-network.org/about-us/
DTU Skylab
DTU Skylab is DTU’s (Technical University of Denmark) living lab for innovation and entrepreneurship. They match state of the art technology and science with an ambitious and open community, where students, researchers and corporate partners meet to exchange knowledge and develop visionary solutions for real world challenges.
DTU Skylab is located at the main DTU Campus in Lyngby and is housed in a facility of 5500 square meters, complete with labs, workshops, auditoriums, open spaces and project rooms.
Four Delaware high school seniors recognized for their accomplishments will share $24,000 in scholarships funded by Delaware-based philanthropy, I Could Do Great Things Foundation
WILMINGTON, Del. – April 28, 2022 – PRLog — The I Could Do Great Things Foundation, founded in 2009 by Stuart M. Grant and Suzanne B. Grant, is pleased to announce the 2022 winners of the 7th annual Beau Biden Memorial Scholarship. The 2022 Scholarship recipients are an impressive duo of Delaware high school seniors – Marissa Washburn of Greenville and Marina Santini of Georgetown.
The recipients are each receiving a Scholarship Award of $10,000 and are slated to attend their prospective colleges in the Fall. Ms. Washburn, a senior at Tower High School will be attending American University, and Ms. Santini is to attend the University of Delaware after graduating from Cape Henlopen High School this June. This year we are also pleased to recognize two finalists who are each receiving $2,000 awards. Madison Laster, a 2022 senior at Appoquinimink High School, and Brynn McCabe an Indian River High School senior—both of whom will formally select their prospective colleges in the coming weeks.
The scholarship was established by the I Could Do Great Things Foundation, an independent Delaware-based philanthropy organization, and is named in honor of former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, who passed away in 2015 at age 46. It honors college-bound high school seniors “who embody the virtues of Beau Biden, those qualities of leadership, community, civility, respect, and who demonstrate a strong moral compass.” The Scholarship selection team reviewed applications from numerous high school seniors before naming this year’s winners. The selection committee commented, “The recipients of this year’s Beau Biden Memorial Scholarships, Marissa and Marina, embody Beau Biden’s legacy of community service, benevolence, and good will. We have great faith that both will continue on to do great things for their communities.”
As busy graduating seniors who are still navigating the COVID-19 era educational system, the selection committee was truly impressed by the sustained efforts of the winners’ community contributions. In the true spirit of Beau Biden, both young women have exemplified leadership and charitable qualities. As a High School Freshman, Ms. Washburn created a fund to solicit donations for local children in the foster welfare system to enrich their lives Ms. Santini, an active and disciplined JROTC Battalion Commander, has served her local community through countless community service events by way of her JROTC and Honors Society programs.
More on the 2022 Beau Biden Memorial Scholarship recipients:
Marissa Washburn – Beau Biden Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Marissa Washburn, Greenville, Del., is a senior at Tower Hill High School slated to graduate in June of this year. An inspiring young woman and former foster child herself, Marissa is passionate about aiding vulnerable children in the foster welfare system. In order to best provide for these children in need, Marissa created the Children’s Enrichment initiative, a fund designed to afford children in foster care the ability to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and camps. To date, the initiative has raised
over $22,000 and has helped local children in foster care attend a STEM summer camp, purchase instruments, and has provided computers for children to have virtual access to therapists and tutors during COVID.
Marina Santini – Beau Biden Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Disciplined and hardworking JROTC Battalion Commander Marina Santini has always found the qualities of respect, civility, and leadership that make her a logical Beau Biden Memorial Scholarship recipient. The child of career military parents, Marina has always seen the importance of hard work, respect, and good leadership. An active participant in Cape Henlopen High School’s JROTC program since her freshman year, Marissa has served her community through a variety of service events including the NDSS Buddy Walk, The Harry K Nonprofit Group to End Child Hunger’s charity ball, and local initiatives such as the Give and Gather for Gavin group. In Marina’s own words, “I work hard to serve my community with the sole purpose of giving back and helping those in need”.
More details about the Beau Biden Memorial Scholarship are available on the Foundation’s site at https://icoulddogreatthings.org.
Contact I Could Do Great Things Foundation; Allison Holland ***@benchwalk.com
