Bank digs deeper for tree planting campaign

The HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund (HCEF) will donate Lm45,000 to the "34U" afforestation programme over the next three years, the bank said.

Meanwhile, HSBC employee Glenn Bugeja, who is also an Earthwatch Fellow, has been seconded from the bank to the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Environment to help in the implementation of the 34U campaign.

The campaign was launched by the ministry with the purpose of providing more trees at Salina Park, Mellieha, the Pinetum in Pietà, Xrobb l-Ghagin, Ta' Qali and Buskett. It encourages the public to buy and plant their own tree in any of the selected areas.

"HCEF initially sponsored the project with Lm15,000 in order to plant one tree for every one of HSBC's 1,500 employees in Malta. This charitable fund is following HSBC's global emphasis on trying to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," HSBC chief executive Shaun Wallis said.

"This new Lm45,000 sponsorship will boost the 34U campaign to create a cleaner and greener environment for Malta."

HSBC employees have been actively involved in the campaign, turning out in their hundreds in order to plant 2,000 trees at Salina Park last October.

In the coming weeks, staff will also be involved in the planting of trees at Xrobb l-Ghagin.