Some 16,000 were planted last year as part of the government’s 34U campaign.

This major drive to make Malta greener and healthier is coordinated by HSBC employee Glenn Bugeja, who is seconded to the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry to help coordinate the 34U afforestation programme.

At the ministry’s request, HSBC agreed to extend Mr Bugeja’s secondment for another year as part of the HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund’s (HCEF) Lm45,000 sponsorship of the 34U campaign over three years.

“When HSBC reached an agreement with the ministry to second an employee, I realised that this was an excellent opportunity to further show how much HSBC cares for the environment by tangible ways. This experience is providing me with new skills that will definitely be helpful when I return to HSBC once this secondment is over,” said Mr Bugeja.

Mr Bugeja is overseeing the effective and direct way of implementing the HCEF funds. His work involves strategic planning, managing the day-to-day implementation of projects and monitoring the progress of the campaign.

34U was launched by the ministry in January 2005. Leading to the greater afforestation of areas at Salina Park, Mellieha, the Pinetum in Pietà, Xrobb l-Ghagin, Ta’ Qali and Buskett, the campaign encourages the public to buy and plant their own tree in any of the selected areas.

“HCEF is following HSBC’s global emphasis on trying to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The bank’s sponsorship is helping the 34U campaign create a cleaner and greener environment for Malta,” said HSBC Malta CEO Shaun Wallis.

HSBC employees have been actively involved in the 34U campaign, turning out in their hundreds to plant thousands of trees at various sites.

Last year, nearly 5,000 trees were planted at Xrobb l-Ghagin and another 2,000 at Salina Park.