MTR aims to deliver optimised and consistent returns to its shareholders in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, thereby contributing to Hong Kong's overall movement toward a sustainable future.

For our rail operations, this means the provision of equitable access to affordable, safe, useful and reliable transportation, while continually reducing our consumption of non-renewable resources, the noise we generate and our emissions to air and water.

For our property business, this means establishing new communities centred on rail access which are designed, developed and managed in accordance with the highest planning, building and environmental standards. In this way, we aim to maximise the beneficial use of Hong Kong's scarce land resources through the 'dual use' of land for both rail stations and residential communities, and to provide quality lifestyles for residents via easy rail access to work, education, family and friends, shopping and other recreational pursuits. MTR takes the key role of enabling agent to drive forward these complex and often challenging combination projects, bringing them to fruition in partnership with Hong Kong's most innovative and forward looking property developers.		 An MTR wedding ceremony organise by Property Division

Notwithstanding our commitment to sustainability as one of Hong Kong's largest corporate citizens and our integral involvement in day to day life here, there are a number of compelling business reasons for taking our environmental and social responsibilities seriously:

Reducing risks to the environment and improving the safety of our customers and staff.
Improving productivity by encouraging staff to implement best practice.
Ensuring construction projects are delivered on time or early.
Attracting investors who value good corporate governance and transparency.
Attracting socially responsible investors and investment funds.

We also recognise that a company's market value is based not only on the value of its physical assets but also on its readiness to take advantage of future opportunities. As our sustainability report demonstrates MTR is a forward-looking, innovative company with high levels of staff training, good stakeholder relations and an excellent understanding of future environmental and social trends.


The development of this and future MTR Corporate Sustainability Reports was greatly assisted by a number of socially responsible funds and organisations who reviewed an advanced draft of the report.

 

Triple bottom line accounting goes to the heart of corporate management disciplines. Companies publishing Annual Sustainability Reports are to be applauded as this disclosure can only lead to better informed judgements of management strengths and strategic capability. This report is a great precedent for Hong Kong companies.

Tessa Tennant, ASrIA

 

MTR's mission is to develop and manage a world class railway together with property and other related businesses, to enhance the quality of life in Hong Kong.


Within that mission, our sustainability aspirations are to :
Promote the environmental and social benefits of rail and encourage greater patronage and rail infrastructure development as a means to reduce traffic congestion, accidents and air pollution.
Improve performance by setting Divisional targets, positively engaging business partners, contractors and suppliers and communicating our performance within the company and externally. The Chief Secretary, 12 June 2001
Maintain good communications with the HKSAR Government and the community during the planning, construction and operation of railways and with staff and customers to ensure the delivery of excellent passenger services.
Act responsibly towards our customers, staff and shareholders by delivering on our service pledge commitments, ensuring staff are well motivated and trained and following our policies on corporate governance and ethics.
Explore ways to reduce environmental impacts whilst adding shareholder value through innovation and technology.

There are a number of challenges to achieving these aspirations :

We need to continue our discussions with external organisations regarding the fiscal and institutional incentives for constructing new railways rather than new roads.
We need to maintain and develop good working relationships with our business partners, suppliers and contractors and understand the competitive and cultural pressures under which they operate.
We need to recognise that managing environmental issues in our rail and property businesses must be approached differently to suit the characteristics of each business, and develop an approach for the property business which is appropriate to Hong Kong's property market.
We need to set an appropriate pace for achieving our sustainability aspirations to ensure that our progress is founded upon pragmatic business decisions.

 

We will deliver on our sustainability aspirations by

Ensuring that our policies are fully implemented across the company.
Responding to the recommendations of our working groups on environment and fully supporting the staff consultative mechanisms.
Further strengthening our management systems on environment, safety and quality.
Setting, tracking and reporting of our sustainability targets during 2002.
Reinforcing our core values of Service, Value and Respect towards Customers, Staff and Shareholders.

 

Our approach to the different facets sustainability was recognised in 2001 by
Hong Kong Eco Business Awards - Grand Award (Green Office) 2001 Hong Kong Eco-Business Award , Award Presentation Ceremony
Labour Department - Good People Management Award
 
Social and Environmental Targets for 2002 Environmental Performance in 2001 Sustainability Awareness Social Environment Economic Global Reporting Initiative Indicator MTR's Environmental Policy Opinion Statement Verification Statement Feedback Corporate Environmental Report 2000 The Environmental Matrix Introduction Chairman's Message Chairman's Message About MTR