HKAEE Ceremony Celebrates 2023's Environmental Champions in Hong Kong

HKAEE honours businesses for achieving environmental excellence

The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:

To commend companies, organisations and schools for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection in 2023, the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) Presentation Ceremony was held today (December 2) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, congratulated the winning companies, organisations and schools in a video speech at the ceremony. He commended the winners for their efforts in environmental protection and recognised their contributions to creating a greener Hong Kong. He said that he looks forward to the collaboration of different sectors with the Government to foster green development and to build a beautiful China and a beautiful Hong Kong.

This year's ceremony was divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The officiating guests of the morning session for the business sectors included the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Chairman of the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) Committee, Dr Eric Cheng; the Chairman of the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC), Professor Simon Wong; the Awards Committee Chairman of the HKAEE, Dr Conrad Wong; and the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Miss Janice Tse. Before the ceremony, the Senior Director and Head of International Affairs and Sustainable Finance of the Securities and Futures Commission, Ms Christine Kung, shared information on sustainability reporting. The five gold award winners also shared their award winning experiences.

The officiating guests of the afternoon session for the schools sector included the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; Dr Cheng; Professor Wong; the Convenor of the Education Working Group under the ECC, Mr Wong Chi-keung; and the Commissioner for Climate Change of the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB), Mr Wong Chuen-fai. The Green School Information and Experience Session running in parallel with the afternoon session featured interactive information exhibitions, game booths and sharing sessions. Participants had the opportunity to learn from the green school awardees and deepen their knowledge of practising low-carbon living.

The HKAEE commends organisations that have demonstrated outstanding environmental performances in 14 different sectors. The three judging criteria are green leadership, programme and performance, and partner synergy. The Hong Kong Green Innovations Awards (HKGIA) announced on the same occasion aims to encourage local organisations to tackle environmental challenges using new ideas that will benefit the environment. The three assessment criteria are level of innovation, environmental achievements, and practicability and contribution to society. After two rounds of assessment by technical consultants, participants were assessed by the final adjudicating panels comprising the ECC and representatives from major chambers of different sectors in Hong Kong for the selection of gold, silver and bronze winners.

The number of entries competing for the 2023 HKAEE reached a record high of 3584, more than an eightfold increase compared with the figure for 2008 when the awards were launched. A total of 53 organisations won gold, silver or bronze awards this year, and 158 received certificates of merit. There were 78 entries in the 2023 HKGIA, a figure around five times higher than that of 2011 when the HKGIA was established. To commend company management members and employees for their dedication to enhancing the environmental performance of their companies and the community, one Most Outstanding Green Achiever, four Outstanding Green Achievers and five Green Achievers were selected. In addition, 38 organisations were honoured as Outstanding Promotional Partners. The detailed list of awardees can be accessed from the HKAEE website (www.hkaee.gov.hk).

The HKAEE, with funding support from the ECF, is jointly organised by the ECC, the EEB, the Advisory Council on the Environment, the Business Environment Council, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' and Exporters' Association, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Productivity Council.

HKAEE honours businesses for achieving environmental excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKAEE honours businesses for achieving environmental excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKAEE honours businesses for achieving environmental excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKAEE honours businesses for achieving environmental excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKAEE honours businesses for achieving environmental excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKAEE honours businesses for achieving environmental excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau responds to commencement of recruitment of Chief Executive by Hospital Authority

In respect of the Hospital Authority (HA) initiating the process to recruit a Chief Executive to succeed Dr Tony Ko, who has indicated that he will not seek continued employment after the term of his contract ends in July this year, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed today (January 23) his high recognition of and gratitude to Dr Ko for his contributions to the public healthcare system.

Professor Lo said, "I deeply appreciate the contributions made by Dr Tony Ko to the development of the public healthcare system over the past six years in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the HA. During this period, the HA faced numerous major challenges, especially the COVID-19 epidemic, which put tremendous and unprecedented pressure on the public healthcare system. Dr Ko did his utmost to lead the HA in its response to the challenges brought about by every wave of the epidemic, guiding staff of the HA to serve the community in concerted efforts. His work is highly commendable.

"Dr Ko has also stepped up efforts to enhance the management and efficiency of the public healthcare system, raising the quality, safety and effectiveness of the HA's services, and has supported multiple government policies and explored more collaboration opportunities in healthcare with the Mainland and the rest of the world while improving services so that Hong Kong can give better play to its unique role and contribute to the healthcare development of the country. Dr Ko has made great contributions to the public healthcare system. I wish him every success in his future endeavours after leaving the post of Chief Executive of the HA."