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

2011 has been declared by the UN as the ‘International Year of Forests’ and this year’s World Environment Day theme mirrors this by focusing on the valuable services provided by forests. HSBC is highlighting this to its employees through a global online competition and encouraging people to think about 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, clearing of invasive species, film screenings, lectures, environmental fairs, photo 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 June 1.

Buskett is Malta’s only large woodland area, originally planted by the Knights as a hunting ground. The area boasts vineyards; orange, olive and lemon groves; native trees, like the Mediterranean pines and carobs; wild flowers and natural springs. Home to several important species of plants and insects and other threatened sub-endemic species like the crescent orchid, the Buskett woodland is also an internationally important concentration point for migrating birds of prey.

HSBC Malta staff enjoyed an appreciation field trail in Buskett, which was led by Dr Joseph Buhagiar, Lecturer at the Department of Biology of 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 is present. Large areas have been given 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 oasis for the Maltese people where one can enjoy nature and life in a semi-natural setting. The value of Buskett to preserve 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.” explained Dr Buhagiar.

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

HSBC has a long standing commitment to protecting the environment and tackling climate change.

“HSBC’s involvement in World Environment Day initiatives form part of a larger programme, as 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 in order to make a telling contribution to the local environment and community in Malta.” said Alan Richards, HSBC’s Chief Executive Officer.