Jockey Club launches first afforestation project at Dongjiang source

03/24/2014

Long committed to promoting sustainable development, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has recently donated RMB2.62 million (HK$3.31 million approx) to the China Green Carbon Foundation to establish an HKJC Forest at the source of the Dongjiang (East River) – a major drinking water source for Hong Kong.  This initiative to tackle climate change and protect the environment is the first Club-funded carbon-offsetting afforestation project in Mainland China.

The project was officially launched in Longchuan County, part of Heyuan City in Guangdong Province.  The Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim K W Mak and Director of Human Resources and Sustainability Mimi K Cunningham were joined at a plaque unveiling ceremony by Chairman of the China Green Carbon Foundation Liu Yuhe, a former Vice-Minister of Forestry; Inspector and Party Member of Guangdong Province Forestry Department, Chen Junqin; Director of Heyuan City Forestry Administration, Zhang Fucheng; and, Party Secretary of Longchuan County, Duan Bangxian. The guests joined forces with 20 Green Ambassadors from the Club to plant a number of trees to embark on the project.

Mak expressed his gratitude to the China Green Carbon Foundation and Guangdong Forestry Province Department for their support, as well as to various Mainland parties for their assistance in the smooth launch of the project.  “The afforested area under this project amounts to 2,000 mu in size, where about 180,000 trees are expected to be planted,” he said. “This will not only help build a forest to alleviate the greenhouse effect and global warming, but also protect Hong Kong’s drinking water source by improving the ecological habitat, not to mention the fact that job opportunities will be created for farmers at the Dongjiang source to improve their quality of life.”

The Club had long been embedding green elements into its operations, Mak told the guests. In 2009, it established an Environmental Management Committee, comprising representatives from various departments of the Club, so as to formulate environmental policies and programmes  in different areas. The Club also encouraged its 24,000-strong workforce to contribute actively to environmental protection, he said, and took initiatives to promoting a green culture and sustainable development within the community.

Liu praised the Club for its proactive corporate social responsibility undertakings to protect the ecological habitat at the Dongjiang source in prompt response to climate change, saying this had facilitated sustainable social and economic development in the area. “The development of this afforestation project in response to climate change relies on proactive participation and full support by society as a whole,” he told the guests. “It is hoped that more organisations, corporates and individuals will undertake social responsibilities through donations to afforestation projects and protecting existing forests. We should all put efforts into making our earth green, so that each and every one of us can enjoy clear water, blue sky and clean air.”

Chen said this pioneering Club-funded carbon sequestration project would not only protect Hong Kong's drinking water source, but also improve the ecological habitat of Guangdong Province. The Club's proactive involvement in the HKJC Forest project was a significant step, he remarked, as it had set a good role model for its Hong Kong counterparts in contributing to eco-building on the Chinese Mainland.

Since 1984, the Club's Charities Trust has donated a total of over HK$778 million to environmental projects, a notable example being the Museum of Climate Change opened at The Chinese University of Hong Kong last December, the city's first establishment focused on this important topic. The HKJC Forest is the first large-scale environmental project funded by the Club in Mainland China, and involves the planting of indigenous broad-leaved tree species appropriate for growth at the Dongjiang source to create a mixed forest that will improve biodiversity and bring ecological benefits with a wide variety of tree species.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations, but also Hong Kong's largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia's most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.