HSBC co-finances afforestation project at Taħt Chambray

HSBC Group Chairman Stephen Green planted a tree during his three-day visit to Malta at the site known as Taħt Chambray in Gozo, marking the launch of an afforestation project as part of Eco-Gozo.

The project, costing €200,000, is jointly supported by HSBC and the government. The site, spreading over 80,000 square metres, is one of the four sites designated as part of Gozo's afforestation programme in the eco-Gozo project.

Mr Green said: "When I was invited here to demonstrate how actively involved HSBC is in the Eco-Gozo project, I had little idea just how active I would have to be. Over the next few years, this tree will be joined by 4,000 more to create an orchard which will help prevent soil erosion, and help to preserve the natural landscape."

Mr Green said it was a privilege to be part of this project, which was a small but important step in helping to achieve a stable and healthy environment for the next generation of Gozo.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono spoke of another three sites in Gozo earmarked for afforestation projects, works on which she said would start in the coming months.

HSBC has been a supporter of the afforestation project in Malta from the start, and so far the bank has planted over 25,000 trees as part of this national programme.

Mr Green said HSBC's commitment to supporting ecological projects is part of a wide responsibility the group feels it has towards the communities it serves. HSBC was the first major bank to go carbon-neutral back in 2005 and today it is working with four leading global organisations (WWF, Earthwatch Institute, Climate Group and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute), through the HSBC Climate Partnership, a US$100 million community investment initiative in climate change research.

So far, over 1,000 HSBC employees, including 35 in Malta, have trained to become 'Climate Champions'.

Quoting the Maltese lateral thinking originator Edward de Bono, Mr Green said: "Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way."

Nowhere is this more applicable than the subject of climate change, which will need every ounce of man's ingenuity to find solutions to the problems we have created, he said.