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It's in our hands •

Take the test: How much do you know about plastic pollution in the oceans?

Societies are locked into a system where people are now producing quantities of plastic well beyond what any country can properly deal with, resulting in a plastic pollution crisis affecting the environment, especially the oceans.Plastic pollution is a global problem that requires not only systemic change and government regulations, but also positive individual actions that can help the Earth.Even with all the news stories and available research, how much do you know about plastic pollution? Tak...
It's in our hands •

How to play an important role in reducing plastic pollution

On top of all this, one of the biggest challenges we face from plastic pollution is the rise in microplastics. A report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts that there will be an equal amount of microplastics in the oceans compared to fish by 2050[2].  We have all heard of microplastics, but what exactly are they and how can we help to reduce plastic pollution?Microplastics come from a variety of sources, including from larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller and smaller pieces. I...
It's in our hands •

This year’s global temperature is expected to be more than 1.4 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels

To help try to curb this increase in the global temperature, at this year’s COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, representatives from nearly 20 countries agreed to a groundbreaking climate agreement to transition away from using fossil fuels in the energy sector. The agreement marks the first time the annual UN meeting has asked countries to move away from fossil fuels — the main driver of the climate crisis.Held from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates,...
It's in our hands •

We are potentially consuming at least 1,769 plastic particles a week, according to WWF

But what exactly are microplastics? They are commonly defined as plastic particles that are smaller than 5mm in diameter[3]. These particles originate from a variety of sources, including those released by industrial processes and the degradation of plastic objects.Impacts to the environmentMicroplastics are so small they are nearly invisible, but they are a threat to our health and impact the environment in a number of ways. With people discarding tons of tiny bits of plastic every year, microp...
It's in our hands •

Global municipal waste predicted to increase 73% by 2050 compared to 2020

But how can people make a positive change? While more than one-third of waste in high-income countries is recovered through recycling and composting, only 4% of waste in low-income countries is recycled1. This is why one small effort which has a big impact is banding together with other residents in your neighborhood to organize a community clean-up activity. By coming together as a community, not only can we create a cleaner and healthier environment for ourselves and future generations, but al...
It's in our hands •

Eco-parenting helps future generations learn how to care for the environment

With the rise of eco-conscious consumers, green parenting is now a popular lifestyle choice among parents looking to raise their children in an environmentally friendly way. This is highlighted by a survey revealing that seven in 10 American homes class themselves as an eco-household. Additionally, 88% of respondents believe it is important for future generations to learn about how to be environmentally friendly[1].Practicing eco-parenting is a great way for parents to encourage their children t...
It's in our hands •

It is time to recognize the vital part nature can play in fighting global warming

Even though most of the world’s population live in cities, we must not forget that we are still connected to nature. Human activities in the past century have had a devastating impact on our planet, not only affecting plants, but also negatively impacting animals. With World Nature Conservation Day celebrated last month, this is the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on our relationship with ecosystems. Important role of ecosystems                   Protecting ecosystems (oceans, soils, fores...
It's in our hands •

Global wildfires are expected to increase in intensity up to 57% by 2090 due to climate change

Over time, these types of events are predicted to surge in frequency. According to a United Nations report last year, global wildfires are expected to increase in intensity up to 57% by 2090 thanks to climate change. Scientists are even warning that 2024 could be the year that global warming exceeds 1.5°C for the first time. This is a worrying statistic, however, collectively we can all make a difference by making an effort to change habits in our daily lives. If we each drop our average emissio...
It's in our hands •

If we stop burning coal, oil, and natural gas, we can reduce greenhouse emissions by 40 – 70% by 2050

Once the global temperature increases by 1.5 degrees Celsius, scientists say, the impacts of catastrophic heat waves, flooding, drought, crop failures, and species extinction will become significantly harder for humanity to handle. To date, the continued emissions of greenhouse gases have warmed the Earth an average of 1.1 degrees Celsius since the industrial age and the extent of future climate change depends on what we all do now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  With our consumption behavi...
It's in our hands •

6-8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced if we stop wasting food

Choose compostable goods  Sustainable purchasing is an approach to buying goods which reduce your impact on the environment. One way to be an eco-conscious shopper is to purchase compostable products which are made from plant-based, sustainable materials such as sugarcane fiber, bamboo fiber, and corn resin. Compostable products can include cups, plates, containers, cutlery, garbage bags, hairbrushes and even toothbrushes, which have been designed to ensure their organic materials can be recover...
The Banker •

Benjamin Diokno: Sustainable banking for greater resilience

With the conclusion of COP26 and the goal to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, we are all aware of the climate emergency. The Philippines sees and feels the effects of global warming firsthand with extreme weather, rising sea levels and displaced communities disrupting lives and causing loss of livelihoods. This is despite our country being one of the lowest emitters of carbon dioxide – in fact, we only produce 0.3% of global carbon emissions. As governor of the Philippine’s central...

Year of the Ox: Three ways IR in Greater China will change - Hill & Knowlton

Outline a hybrid communication strategy for the long haulVirtual communication is now a facet of life. Even though Zoom meetings were previously considered an ineffective tool for building new relationships, prolonged exposure to virtual interaction could mean that could change.At the very least, effective use of video conferencing technology will allow companies to establish and maintain relationships with a wider group of investors, including those that would have otherwise not been able to me...

Five Key Learnings from Hong Kong’s Remote Reporting Season - Hill & Knowlton

With global business travel grounded during Hong Kong’s reporting season, Hill+Knowlton Strategies has been helping some of the region’s leading companies ensure its business as usual with virtual meetings with shareholders and stakeholders. This local experience has yielded useful lessons – and led to a new, global offering designed to help clients all over the world navigate our current period of uncertainty.The success of this unfamiliar approach depends on H+K’s belief that every company has...

Insights+ Three essential communication strategies for virtual banks in Hong Kong - Hill & Knowlton

In Hong Kong’s congested virtual banking market, it is extremely important for virtual banks to distinguish themselves from their peers. Here are three essential communication strategies for virtual banks to follow to help them tap the huge potential of Hong Kong’s virtual banking market. – Firstly, “I recognize you because you are different” – Currently, only ZA Bank has launched its trial services in Hong Kong. To date, there has been no official word from the other virtual banks on when exact...
TIME •

Thailand Bombings 'Meant to Scare Tourists,' Locals Say

Four days after Thailand voted to accept a controversial constitution that gives the military control over the political future of the country, a series of bomb blasts in popular tourist destinations rocked the kingdom on Thursday night and Friday morning.The explosions in Hua Hin, Phuket, Trang and Surat Thani killed four people and injured scores more, and police have warned of further attacks. No one has yet claimed responsibility.In Phuket, a tourist hot spot that sees an estimated 5 million...
Thaiger •

Phuket Gazette Exclusive: Aldhouse - A view from the inside

PHUKET: Looking exhausted, Lee Aldhouse cut a lonely figure in his faded prison-issue overalls, surrounded by about 20 Thai inmates. He waited for the signal from the prison guard controlling the communication between visitors and inmates – a telephone – before picking up his receiver. The first thing he said was, “I cannot talk about my impending court case, but we can discuss prison life.”Aldhouse faces charges of premeditated murder under Section 288 of the Thai Criminal Code for the slaying...
Coconuts •

Weekender: Hong Kong's harbor is truly fragrant | Coconuts

Hong Kong is a city famous for its shopping, nightlife, skyscrapers, and kung fu legend Bruce Lee, who spent his formative years there. It’s a city that mixes the old with the new – giant, modern skyscrapers tower overhead as you wait in line to take the rickety funicular up Victoria Peak that has been in operation since 1888. Spending two days in Hong Kong to see in the Chinese New Year comes highly recommended, but one should have the same mindset as if planning a polar expedit...

Byline Articles

IR Magazine •

Covid-19 shines spotlight on the ‘S’ in ESG

As Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc around the world, impacting people and businesses everywhere, the value of ESG practices to companies has never been greater. And while the social factor was often neglected in the past, the pandemic has underscored its importance as one of the three pillars of ESG and the vital role it plays for companies, especially during these extraordinarily difficult times. What’s more, with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) making disclosures on c...

Press Releases

Insurance Site •

Cashless Pre-Approval: Manulife HK and CUHK Medical Centre

HONG KONG – Manulife Hong Kong and CUHK Medical Centre announced today the expansion of their partnership to offer a cashless pre-approval service for over 300 all-inclusive hospital packages, including endoscopic and surgical procedures, provided by CUHK Medical Centre. Upon obtaining pre-approval, Manulife customers with selected medical plans can now access these hospital packages without paying upfront, thereby ensuring increased peace of mind and flexibility.
The expanded partnership betwee...
Insurance Site •

Manulife Hong Kong Partners with HEAL Medical to Provide Customers with Premium Medical Services

HONG KONG – Manulife Hong Kong announced a partnership today with HEAL Medical, a leading multi-specialty medical centre, to provide Manulife’s customers with access to top-tier medical services. This partnership underscores Manulife’s commitment to advancing its health and protection business, offering customers a seamless experience from pre-insurance check-ups to specialist referrals, cashless arrangements, and medical treatments. It also highlights Manulife’s strategic vision of expanding it...
Insurance Site •

Manulife HK launches new Manulife Bright Care PRO plan offering market-first late stage cancer treatment benefit

HONG KONG – Manulife Hong Kong announced today the launch of Manulife Bright Care PRO, a specially designed critical illness plan providing extensive coverage for up to 123 critical illnesses and diseases up to the age of 100, along with extra financial support for overseas or non-conventional treatment for late stage cancer – all at an affordable premium.
The new plan caters to the diverse needs for critical illness coverage by introducing a first-in-market late stage cancer treatment benefit a...
Insurance Site •

Manulife Hong Kong strengthens leadership team with appointments of Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Communications Officer

HONG KONG – Manulife Hong Kong today announced the appointments of Thaddeus Yu as Chief Strategy Officer and Alice Li as Chief Communications Officer, for its Hong Kong and Macau operations. These additions to its leadership team reflect the company's ongoing commitment to expanding its strategic and communication capabilities. As members of Manulife Hong Kong's senior management team, both executives report directly to Patrick Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau.

Mr...
Insurance Site •

Hongkongers predict over 20 years of poor health in retirement highlighting need to plan for the future – Manulife Asia Care Survey

HONG KONG – Hongkongers live longer than most people in the world, but they expect their later years to be dogged by poor health, a period many think will start when they enter their early-to-mid sixties. These findings show there is a compelling need for people in Hong Kong to have a savings plan in place to help with the medical costs in later life.
According to Manulife Asia Care Survey 2023, which was conducted across seven markets in Asia, Hong Kong residents expect to retire at 63 and for...

Earned Media

Insurance Asia •

Hong Kong insurers step up to seize opportunities in Greater Bay Area

Despite the challenges arising from the ongoing global pandemic, Hong Kong, with its expertise and massive capital flows in the insurance market, will always be the Asian hub for multinational insurers

Carrie Tong, Manulife Hong Kong and Macau’s Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Macau Branch.

Despite the challenges arising from the ongoing global pandemic, Hong Kong, with its expertise and massive capital flows in the insurance market, will always be the Asian hub for multinational insure...
BBC News •

Philippines central bank boss says inflation biggest challenge of 2022

Inflation will be a bigger threat to economies next year than Covid-19, the head of the Philippines central bank has told the BBC.Benjamin Diokno also said he believes his country's economy will return to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2022."We expect the economy to be back to where it was by the middle of next year, or even earlier," he said.The Philippines was one of the south east Asian nations worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic.Mr Diokno said that like many other countries as they emerge...