Knight Frank’s Hong Kong office has been awarded the Platinum Label for the third year running in the Low-carbon Office Operation Programme (LOOP) Labelling Scheme organised by WWF. A total of 28 companies took part in the scheme in 2012/2013, and Knight Frank was one of the three companies that obtained the Platinum Label, which is the highest accolade under the scheme. In the past year, Knight Frank achieved a significant 9% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per staff, which was three times higher than the company’s 3% reduction target.
Norman Tsoi, Group Operations Officer of Knight Frank, said “We are truly delighted and honoured to receive the Platinum LOOP Label for the third year in a row. It reaffirms and pays tribute to the hard work and effort of every member of Knight Frank in actively making their office a more eco-friendly place. As a property consultancy firm, a keen understanding of the lifecycles of buildings and experience in driving resources and cost efficiencies is very valuable.”
“The award is also a testament to Knight Frank’s commitment to the environment, which is one of the five areas of the firm’s global corporate responsibility programme, Building Foundations. To help protect the planet, we will continue to improve our green performance, spread the green message both internally and externally to promote eco-friendliness in the workplace and implement the best energy-saving practices into the daily operations of our China offices.”
Knight Frank has a well-regarded reputation and proven track record in environmental protection. The company has obtained ISO 14001. Also, its Building Consultancy team practises the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system in its projects throughout Greater China, providing the firm with on-the-ground experience in environmental standards and regulations.
Knight Frank’s green initiatives are also recognised by the Hong Kong Government and Friends of the Earth (HK) with the Certificate of “Carbon Audit Pilot Fund” under the CarbonSmart Programme and Double Gold Tier award in the “Take a ‘Brake’ Low Carbon Action – Corporate Green Driving Award Scheme 2012” respectively. To be a responsible corporate citizen who advocates environmental sustainability, the company has implemented a Shark-free policy in all its Greater China offices to ban the consumption of any shark fin or shark products at corporate events and when entertaining clients.
In addition to its participation in LOOP, Knight Frank employees have supported a wide range of corporate social responsibilities activities including regular green-themed film screenings, a re-use lai see red pockets workshop, a visit to the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups’ organic farm, a cultural and ecological day tour to Tai O and Christmas visits to the Po Leung Kuk Orphanage. These initiatives have collectively earned Knight Frank the Caring Company logo for four consecutive years.
Jenny Leung (left), Associate Director and Head of Office Administration of Knight Frank receiving the Platinum LOOP Label from Adam Koo, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong yesterday.