GEC LAUNCHES BOLD NEW GREEN VISION FOR THE FUTURE

 

The newly formed Hutchison Ports Group Environmental Committee (GEC) held its first meeting at its Hong Kong Headquarters this summer. Both GEC Co-chairmen, Clemence Cheng and Stephen Ashworth have volunteered to co-chair the GEC because they strongly believe in protecting and improving the environment. Both joined other GEC committee members to discuss the Group’s new environmental plan and roadmap given the growing global awareness of the adverse impact our actions are having on the environment and a rapidly changing maritime sector which is placing greater focus on reducing carbon emissions. As a responsible business and being the No. 1 Port Network of the World, it is essential for the Group to show leadership in this important agenda, and the GEC will set up and implement environmental policy and strategy across the Group to ensure we have a long-term sustainable business.

The strategy for Hutchison Ports aims to redefine the Group’s environmental expectations and targets to improve global environmental performance. As a medium-term programme, implementation of this strategy will span over three to five years.

 

THERE ARE FOUR FOCUS AREAS FOR THIS STRATEGY:

  1. Effective environmental management.
  2. Capitalise on best-available technologies.
  3. Re-positioning Hutchison Ports with aspirational environmental values.
  4. Development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

“The mission of the GEC is to improve Hutchison Ports’ environmental performance by establishing policies and action plans, in the pursuit of a more sustainable business,” said the Co-chairmen in a joint statement at the inaugural meeting of the committee.

 

FOLLOWING THEIR STATEMENT, THE GROUP HAVE ISSUED THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TO:

  • Conduct business activities in such a way as to minimize the adverse impact on the environment of our activities.
  • Reduce carbon footprint and prevent pollution as far as is reasonably practicable.
  • Continually improve performance against targets associated with significant environmental aspects.
  • Comply with all applicable environmental legislation.

The Group will aim to reposition its business with a roadmap of environmental commitment and a shift in focus to ensure that Hutchison Ports has a progressive approach to become a leader in this important agenda, according to the Co-chairmen’s statement.

Each of Hutchison Ports business units should recognise their critical position of the importance of their role to be the preferred partner for a sustainable supply chain.

Sustainable development is one of the most important challenges facing us all going forward and the Group will be looking for input and support from everyone in the company. The GEC have every confidence to make a positive difference to the environment in the group’s network of ports; adding that no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.

Some of the Group’s port operations have already made significant progress towards implementing initiatives which improved local environment and it’s the right time to align all of the Group’s port operations and move towards a common goal.

As a responsible business, the Group must act as part of an integrated supply chain to effect positive environmental change, the Co-chairmen concluded.

WHAT ARE SOME COUNTRIES DOING?

In order to achieve targeted commitments, set by the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), many countries have begun to implement more stringent environmental regulations and policies around the transport sector. Some countries are even moving to ban practices that are harmful to the environment, which will significantly affect port operations and these risks should be reflected in the business strategy moving forward.

Hutchison Ports operates in 27 countries, in which 24 of them¹ have submitted an NDC to the United Nations with environmental protection or conservation targets by 2030 or earlier.

¹ The outstanding countries are Oman and Iraq, which have both submitted an intended NDC (which is not legally binding).