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Green Travel Insurance
HSBC Insurance is launching a revolutionary 'green' travel insurance programme in partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to work with customers to reduce air pollutants resulting from air, land and sea travel.
From now until June 2010, customers who buy or renew HSBC TravelSurance policies will join HSBC Insurance in promoting 'green' travel, as one percent of their insurance premiums will automatically be donated to the Let's Travel Green programme, which supports the 'Eco-Blocks for Eco-Schools' project.
"HSBC is the first major international bank to achieve carbon neutrality. HSBC Insurance, as a core member of the HSBC Group, shares this vision. We are pleased to work with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, riding on the university's eco-block innovation."
David Fried
Group General Manager and Regional Head of Insurance Asia Pacific
- Contribute to the environment and apply online. What's more, enjoy discounts for online application.
- Have travel protection every time you travel with multi-trip coverage.
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage and enjoy more protection with China Medical Card.
- Under the two-year Let's Travel Green programme, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, HSBC Insurance will donate about HK$2 million to support the 'Eco-Blocks for Eco-Schools' project.
- Initiated by HSBC in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU), the project involves the production and use of a breakthrough material called 'eco-block', which is made from recycled glass and ash with a coating of titanium dioxide. This 'eco-block' has pollutant-busting properties that break down certain harmful chemicals in the air.
- Benefit 10 non-profit organisations which will use 'eco-blocks' in their buildings as a paving and partitioning material. At least 3,000 students and 200 teachers in Hong Kong will be benefitted from the programme.
- Improve air quality by removing air pollutants emitted by cars, trains, airplanes and other vehicles.
- Reduce adverse impact of air pollution on people's health, in particular respiratory problems.
- Promote sustainable use of resources and help mitigate Hong Kong's waste management problems, hence reducing pressure on landfill sites in Hong Kong.
- Educate youngsters on environmental protection as the project involves the provision of environmental education activities and materials for participating organisations.
HSBC Insurance recently commissioned a research about Hong Kong people's perceptions, attitudes and preferences relating to 'green travel'. Conducted by Hong Kong University's Public Opinion Programme, the survey was conducted in June 2008 among 558 people in Hong Kong aged 25 and above who have travelled outside of Hong Kong in the past two years. The Let's Travel Green programme is a result of the research.
- Respondents are those who travelled outside of Hong Kong over 3 times on average in the past 12 months, with 48 % using airplanes and 46 % using trains, buses or cars.
- 60 % of respondents are aware that their travel activities result in carbon dioxide emissions.
- 32 % are willing to do something to offset the adverse effects of their travels.
- Of the 32% who were willing to do something to reduce the adverse effects of their travels on the environment, 59 % said they will buy products and services that contribute to environmental conservation, and 39 % are prepared to travel less for leisure.
David Fried (right) and Jason Sadler worked on dummy of eco-blocks with two children from Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.
A mixture of crushed glass, fly ash, sand and titanium dioxide, etc was put into the mould to produce eco-block.
(From right) David Fried, Prof C S Poon, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, HKPU and Jason Sadler together with beneficiaries from HKSPC showed the final product of eco-blocks.
(From right) Kialy Lo, Assistant General Manager, Personal Insurance; Prof Teng Jin-guang, Associate Vice President and Dean of Faculty of Construction and Land Use, HKPU; David Fried; Jason Sadler; Susan So of Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children; Prof C S Poon and Alex Chu, General Manager & Head of Personal Insurance.
Children from HKSPC accepted the toy cow money bank from David Fried with cheerful faces.
An early generation of eco-glass block has been paved at Polytechnic University.
Under the two-year Let’s Travel Green programme, HSBC Insurance will donate about HK$2 million to benefit 10 non-profit organisations, including the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, which will use ‘eco-blocks’ in its headquarter in Mongkok.
A miniature of eco-block is made as souvenir to be distributed to all guests during the launch press conference of Let’s Travel Green programme.
Environmental projects and activities
Traveling has become a way of life for many Hong Kong people. Our 'Let's Travel Green'programme, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, makes it easy for our customers to lessen the impact of their travels on the environment even without changing their lifestyle.
Jason Sadler
Managing Director
HSBC Insurance in Hong Kong
