Jockey Club fosters international exchange to address climate change

08/19/2013

As part of efforts to raise public awareness of environmental conservation and sustainability, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is funding the sixth International Conference on Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Change under the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia project.

Today (19 August), Club Steward Anthony W K Chow joined Hong Kong Observatory Director Shun Chi-ming, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung, and Chinese-American Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (COAA) President Professor Li Zhanqing to launch the three-day conference at the CUHK.

Mr Chow said the Jockey Club had devoted considerable resources to tackling climate change. Since 2008, it has initiated the Environment Project to support such worthy schemes as community organic farming, glass bottle recycling and the development of animated education packages on low carbon living.

“The Initiative Gaia project, launched last year with a donation of HK$54 million from the Charities Trust, is a five-year community engagement programme. With CUHK, we aim to encourage more active public participation and create a greener and more sustainable community,” he commented.

Running until Wednesday, the conference, co-organised by CUHK and COAA, will provide a platform for over 170 overseas and local academics and experts to share their scientific findings and technological breakthroughs in the broad disciplines of atmosphere, oceanography, climate change and Earth system.

As the latest initiative under the Environment Project, the Initiative Gaia project is dedicated to encouraging active public participation and creating a greener and more sustainable community through knowledge transfer, public education programmes and carbon reduction partnerships.

Apart from organising environmental conferences, public forums and educational fairs, the Jockey Club will establish a Museum of Climate Change to display the “Three Poles” collection of renowned Hong Kong explorer Dr Rebecca Lee, the first woman to have visited all extremes of the Earth -- the North Pole, the South Pole and Mt Everest, as well as details of the Trust’s contributions to environmental protection, among others.

To further demonstrate the Club’s commitment to environmental conservation as part of the Project, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course is the first in the world to convert its entire fleet of golf carts to solar power. And to reduce carbon emissions, solar-hybrid catamarans have been brought in to carry passengers travelling between Kau Sai Chau and Sai Kung pier.

Further details of CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia are available at www.gaia.cuhk.edu.hk.

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 a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year 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, with more than 23,000 members. 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.