Sino Group, a family-owned conglomerate with interests in residential, office, industrial, retail and hospitality properties across Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and Australia has launched The ‘Supplier Climate Alliance’ initiative to raise awareness about climate change among suppliers.
The initiative aims to foster cross-sector collaboration among industry players, academia, and the wider business community to engage climate-conscious suppliers, promote carbon management, encourage the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions data, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable supply chain.
Regulations that are being established or weighed around the world to improve sustainability and protect nature and biodiversity against the worst impacts of climate change depend on sustainable supply chains. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from supply chains are part of the lifecycle emissions of a product, known as Scope 3 emissions. They are often significantly worse than other emissions and are among the most challenging to reduce because they aren’t entirely under the control of one company, but require collaboration from many different companies and organizations. This initiative aims to support that collaboration.
The initiative is Led by Sino Group, with SGS Hong Kong Limited as a Strategic Partner. SGS Hong Kong is SGS offers inspection, verification, testing and certification services. It offers training, ESG and sustainability solutions, and operates in Hong Kong Science Park.
Together the partners aim to support the professional verification of carbon data.
The initiative also collaborates with the Centre for Civil Society and Governance of The University of Hong Kong, Ernst & Young, the SME Sustainability Society, and the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong as ‘Knowledge Partners’ to share their carbon management insights and experiences. Participating suppliers are encouraged to engage in workshops and sign the Carbon Management Pledge as a commitment to decarbonization.
“Green transformation at an early stage will enable businesses to contribute to society and gain a competitive edge in the future low-carbon economy,” said Arthur Lee, Commissioner for Climate Change at the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government at the launch ceremony. “I hope to see more suppliers joining the cause of carbon reduction and embarking on the green transformation of Hong Kong with us, so as to build a low-carbon future for our next generation.”
The Alliance will provide regular learning experiences, including knowledge exchange and professional training, aimed at helping suppliers and their employees with essential knowledge about GHG emissions data collection while seeking to inspire them to strengthen their carbon management and implement best practices.
Additionally, the Alliance will host various experiential activities to raise participants’ awareness about carbon reduction, including ‘Farm Together’ workshops, snorkeling experiences with understanding coral restoration at Ocean Park, and visits to Sino Inno Lab and The Spark. Approximately 40 suppliers have joined the Alliance, with more than half committing to the Carbon Management Pledge in alignment with Sino Group’s ‘Sustainability Vision 2030’ and the reduction targets for Scope 3 GHG emissions while enhancing climate-related information disclosure and carbon management reporting.
“Climate change is a significant global issue. We firmly believe that, in addition to enhancing our own climate resilience, we must collaborate with one another,” said Cindy Chow, Chief Financial Officer & Associate Director (Finance) of Sino Group. “We are delighted to launch the “Supplier Climate Alliance” with the support of various sectors, combining everyone’s expertise and efforts to promote a sustainable supply chain in Hong Kong.”
