On May 15, the awarding ceremony for 2012 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence was in Hong Kong, officiated by Leung Chunying, Chief Executive of HKSAR. The ceremony involved officials from the government of HKSAR, representatives from industrial and business circles of Hong Kong and heads of environment agencies in Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. At the awarding ceremony, Pacific Coffee Emporium, the flagship store of Pacific Coffee in Hong Kong was selected from among 776 candidate businesses for the silver award of 2012 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence, the first of the kind awarded to coffee retail businesses for the design and operational philosophy featuring low-carbon and environment protection.

The design of Pacific Coffee Emporium in Hong Kong, opened in 2012, features a strong environment protection, reflected in the inclusion of an area of environment-friendly commodities, green plants and the use of LED lighting devices and environment-friendly construction materials. Besides the flagship store, other stores of Pacific Coffee have all been concerned with the environment protection and sought to convey its business philosophy of “one cup, one notion and a better world” through their business practices. Pacific Coffee has actively participated in many environment protection campaigns including WWF Earth Hour, the promotion of LED lights, etc. and promoted the consumption of Crema Scura, a coffee bean passed fair trade and green product certification. It encourages customers to bring their own coffee cups or reuse the used tableware and reduce the use of disposable tableware and actively explores the recycling of coffee grounds. The award shows the public recognition and encouragement of Pacific Coffee’s efforts in environment protection. The award will encourage Pacific Coffee to continue practicing the low-carbon environmental philosophy.

Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence was sponsored by the Hong Kong Environmental Campaign Committee in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Department other agencies in 2008, aimed to encourage businesses to adopt environmental practices and recognize and encourage businesses with remarkable contribution to the environment protection. Four series of awards were granted under the 2012 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence program, namely, Awards for Overall Industrial Excellence, Awards for Green Innovations, Awards for Green Marks and Carbon Reduction Certificates.