The HSBC Group is marking World Environment Day (WED) 2011 by asking thousands of its employees across the globe to uncover the ‘hidden value’ of their local forests.

This year has been declared by the UN as the International Year of Forests and the World Environment Day theme mirrors this by focusing on the value of forests. HSBC is running a global online competition for its staff and encouraging them to consider how their daily choices can contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of forests.

Employees in more than 40 countries will be taking part in direct action to help protect forests or woodland in their region. Local conservation projects, tree planting, the removal of invasive species, film screenings, lectures, environmental fairs, photography competitions, ‘no printing days’, ‘no car days’ and various paper-saving initiatives are just a few of the activities planned.

In Malta, HSBC employees celebrated World Environment Day in Buskett on 1 June. Originally planted by the Knights as a hunting ground, Buskett is Malta’s only large woodland area and contains orange, olive and lemon groves, native trees such as the Mediterranean pine and carob, wild flowers and natural springs. It is home to several important species of plants and insects and threatened sub-endemic species such as the crescent orchid, and is also an internationally important concentration point for migrating birds of prey.

HSBC Malta staff enjoyed an appreciation field trail in Buskett, led by Dr Joseph Buhagiar, Biology Department lecturer at the University of Malta and director of the Argotti Botanical Gardens. “We have to look at Buskett as an area that has been transformed over the ages and put to different uses. Most of the indigenous natural woodland has been replaced so that today only a small part of the original oak woodland remains. Large areas have been given over to Aleppo Pines, which have matured into a semi-natural pine woodland. Other parts are simple open spaces where one can relax. Buskett is possibly one of the most important oases for the Maltese people where they can enjoy nature in a semi-natural setting. The value of Buskett in preserving our health and mental wellbeing is possibly underestimated: one has to appreciate that trees and nature in general give us more than shelter, food and oxygen.” Dr Buhagiar explained.

To mark the occasion, HSBC also made a donation to the Malta Community Chest Fund on behalf of a group of employees who celebrate 35 years of service at the Bank.

The bank has a long-standing commitment to protect the environment and tackle climate change. “HSBC’s involvement in World Environment Day initiatives form part of… the HSBC Climate Partnership and aims at raising further awareness on the type of action needed for the management and conservation of forests and woodlands. This is a great opportunity for the HSBC team in Malta to join up with our colleagues around the world… to make a telling contribution to the local environment and community in Malta.” said CEO Alan Richards.