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Jockey Club launches second afforestation project and plants over 350 thousand trees at Dongjiang - a major drinking water source for Hong Kong

04/15/2015

The second phase of the HKJC Forest was officially launched on 11 April in Longchuan County, part of Heyuan City in Guangdong Province, following the donation by the Club of RMB2.89 million to the China Green Carbon Foundation. Located at the source of the Dongjiang (East River) – a major source of drinking water for Hong Kong -  the HKJC Forest was established in 2014 with the objective of tackling climate change, protecting the environment and safeguarding Hong Kong’s water source.

Together with the first phase, the Club has planted a total of over 350 thousand trees at the HKJC Forest in Dongjiang, with the total afforested area amounting to 4,000 mu in size (equivalent to 374 standard football fields) and the total donation exceeding RMB5.5 million. It is estimated that 100 thousand tons of carbon dioxide can be absorbed by the afforested area in 20 years, helping to mitigate climate change and improve the local ecological habitat.

The Club's Sustainability Committee member and Head of Retail Gilbert Cheng was joined at the plaque unveiling ceremony by Inspector and Party Member of Guangdong Province Forestry Department Chen Junqin, Deputy Secretary-General of  China Green Carbon Foundation Su Zonghai and Deputy Party Secretary of Longchuan County Zhong Biping. The guests joined forces with Green Ambassadors from the Club to plant a number of trees to launch this second phase of the project.
Mr Cheng expressed his gratitude to the Guangdong Province Forestry Department, China Green Carbon Foundation as well as various Mainland parties for their assistance and support in the smooth launch of the project. “The afforested area under the new phase of the project amounts to 2,000 mu in area, with about 178,000 trees expected to be planted,” he said. “This will not only help increase forest size, improve the ecological habitat and protect Hong Kong’s source of drinking water, but also create job opportunities for farmers in the Dongjiang area to improve their quality of life.”

Mr Cheng told guests that the number of Green Ambassadors participating in the new plantation activities had doubled, showing the great effectiveness of the project in promoting a green culture amongst the workforce, not to mention the fact that both the ecological habitat and local economy can be improved.

Mr Chen said the Club’s donations to the project for two-consecutive years, and the  organization of tree planting activities, reflect the effective implementation and promotion of sustainability and green culture by the Club and provide a good role model of charitable activity. "We look forward to seeing even more organizations and the public participating in eco-building with the good example set by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, " he said.

Mr Su praised the Club for its proactive corporate social responsibility undertaking to protect the ecological habitat and facilitate 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 guests. “It is hoped that more organisations, corporations and individuals in the Mainland and Hong Kong will take note of the example set by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and by proactively undertaking socially responsible projects   make a greater contribution in building a beautiful China and tackling climate change.”

The Club has appointed a research institute to investigate the long-term benefits brought by the HKJC Forest. Its findings show that the HKJC Forest will have beneficial impacts in terms of increased forest size, improved ecological habitat, enhanced bio-diversity and protecting Hong Kong’s drinking water source. It will also help create job opportunities for farmers in the Dongjiang area.

Since 1984, the Club's Charities Trust has donated a total of over HK$700 million to environmental and charity projects. The new phase of the HKJC Forest is the second 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 through a wide variety of tree species.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record HK$3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit website 130.hkjc.com.

The Cluba£į?s Sustainability Committee member and Head of Retail Gilbert Cheng says the project will not only help protect Hong Kong's source of drinking water, improve the ecological habitat and create job opportunities for farmers at the Dongjiang water source, but also help promote a green culture in the workforce.
The Cluba£į?s Sustainability Committee member and Head of Retail Gilbert Cheng says the project will not only help protect Hong Kong's source of drinking water, improve the ecological habitat and create job opportunities for farmers at the Dongjiang water source, but also help promote a green culture in the workforce.

The Cluba£į?s Sustainability Committee member and Head of Retail Gilbert Cheng (third from right) is joined at the plaque unveiling ceremony of phase two of the HKJC Forest by Inspector and Party Member of Guangdong Province Forestry Department Chen Junqin (second from left), Deputy Secretary-General of  China Green Carbon Foundation Su Zonghai (second from right), Deputy Party Secretary of Longchuan County Zhong Biping (first from right) and the Cluba£į?s Executive Manager-Sustainability Shirlee M Algire (first from left).
The Cluba£į?s Sustainability Committee member and Head of Retail Gilbert Cheng (third from right) is joined at the plaque unveiling ceremony of phase two of the HKJC Forest by Inspector and Party Member of Guangdong Province Forestry Department Chen Junqin (second from left), Deputy Secretary-General of China Green Carbon Foundation Su Zonghai (second from right), Deputy Party Secretary of Longchuan County Zhong Biping (first from right) and the Cluba£į?s Executive Manager-Sustainability Shirlee M Algire (first from left).

The Cluba£į?s Sustainability Committee member and Head of Retail Gilbert Cheng (second from left), Inspector and Party Member of Guangdong Province Forestry Department Chen Junqin (second from right), Deputy Secretary-General of  China Green Carbon Foundation Su Zonghai (first from right) and Deputy Party Secretary of Longchuan County Zhong Biping (first from left) start the tree planting.
The Cluba£į?s Sustainability Committee member and Head of Retail Gilbert Cheng (second from left), Inspector and Party Member of Guangdong Province Forestry Department Chen Junqin (second from right), Deputy Secretary-General of China Green Carbon Foundation Su Zonghai (first from right) and Deputy Party Secretary of Longchuan County Zhong Biping (first from left) start the tree planting.

Photo 4, 5:<br>
The Cluba£į?s Green Ambassadors plant trees to mark the second phase of the HKJC Forest.
Photo 4, 5:
The Cluba£į?s Green Ambassadors plant trees to mark the second phase of the HKJC Forest.


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