Community & Charities
Environmental Protection
Jockey Club promotes green living with Environment Fair
11/04/2015
Fun and interactive ways to attain a green lifestyle were on show today (11 April) at a two-day environment fair organised by the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia.
Held at Dragon Centre, Sham Shui Po, the Environment Fair cum MoCC Roadshow 2015 was officially opened by the Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung, Secretary for Transport and Housing Professor Anthony Cheung, Environmental Protection Department (Nature Conservation and Infrastructure Planning) Assistant Director Elvis Au, Chinese University of Hong Kong Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung, Friends of the Earth (HK) Community Engagement and Partnership Head Edwin Lau and Concordia Lutheran School Principal Mr Leung Yat-hang.
Noting that the Club was always keen to support green programmes in the community, Mr Cheung said that apart from the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia, the Club has proactively supported and cooperated with other organisations, including the Hong Chi Jockey Club Glass Bottle Recycling Project; Food Rescue and Hot Meal Assistance Programme; and the production of a TV documentary series. He hoped the public would have a better understanding of Hong Kong’s environmental projects through today’s event, and would apply them to build a more environmentally-friendly community.
Also addressing the gathering were Professor Cheung, Mr Au and Mr Lau who shared their views on this year’s theme, “Low Carbon．Blue Sky”. Visitors to the fair could learn about organic farming and the making of eco-enzyme at interactive information and game booths, and find out what causes global warming through selected exhibits from the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change (MOCC), included in the fair for the first time.
Jockey Club Initiative Gaia is a Charities Trust-funded project to protect the environment through a HK$70 million donation to the Chinese University to undertake a five-year community engagement programme. Already established under the project is the MoCC, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. Located at the university, the museum features the “Three Poles” (including Mt Everest) collection of renowned Hong Kong explorer Dr Rebecca Lee, along with information on the Trust’s contributions to environmental protection and innovative research initiated by CUHK. Further details of CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia are available at www.gaia.cuhk.edu.hk.
In addition, the Trust encourages creation of a greener community through carbon reduction partnerships and measures to reduce food waste, like funding St. James’ Settlement and Food Angel to cover the running cost of a kitchen to prepare hot meals for the needy using donated surplus food.
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 $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 130.hkjc.com.
