Press Releases
Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited donates USD 350,000 to WWF to support coral reef conservation
Taiwan, September 15, 2008 - Standard Chartered has committed to donate USD 350,000 for a WWF conservation project at the 9th APEC Roundtable Meeting of Business/Private Sector in the Sustainability of the Marine Environment. Forming a part of Standard Chartered's long term sustainability strategy, the bank last year launched A Race for a Living Planet - an exciting project as part of its Greatest Race On Earth (GROE) marathon series.The environment challenge has now secured 1.45 million pledges and raised USD 350,000 to support Taiwan in WWF's coral reef conservation project - the Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI).
Standard Chartered's efforts have been acknowledged by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. In further recognition of the bank's successful and praise-worthy business model for supporting marine conservation, Standard Chartered has been invited to participate in the prestigious 9th APEC Roundtable Meeting on the Involvement of the Business/Private Sector in the Sustainability of the Marine Environment.
Environment Protection Administration and Sunil Kaushal, President and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited, will co-present the USD 350,000 donation - which was raised by the Taiwanese people and Standard Chartered staff - to Ms. Lida Pet-Soede, head of WWF's Coral Triangle Programme on the 16th of September. The Coral Triangle Initiative was the only significant marine conservation programme that was endorsed by 21 world leaders at the 2007 APEC Summit in their Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development.
Sunil Kaushal, President and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited said, "It's truly an honour to be invited to speak at APEC's Roundtable Meeting. Through our partnership with WWF, one of the world's largest and most experienced conservation organisations, we can illustrate the value of forming public private partnerships around sustainability programmes. The Environment Challenge is a good example of using global influence to inspire and engage environmental responsibility on a large scale."
Ms. Pet-Soede will participate in the APEC Roundtable meeting, providing an overview of the CTI and offering advice on what business and consumers can do to help safeguard the Coral Triangle and ensure the sustainable economies, businesses and livelihoods in a healthy marine environment.
"The Coral Triangle shelters and sustains thousands of whales, dolphins, tunas, reef fish, rays, sharks and turtles, and is home to 75 percent of all coral species known to science and more than 3000 species of reef fish and commercially valuable species such as tuna and sharks." said Ms. Pet-Soede. "But the Coral Triangle is also under threat. Coastal development, destructive fishing and overfishing, unsustainable tourism and climate change are taking a heavy toll and, if left unchecked, will cause the collapse of the world's most remarkable coral reef ecosystem."
Ms. Let-Soede, on behalf of WWF, applauded the vision and efforts of Standard Chartered Bank and encouraged other companies and individuals to follow the approach of this business leader, working to support critical conservation efforts on the ground.
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Contact person
Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) limited
Sherine Cheng Tel: 02 2547-9868
Sherine.Cheng@standardchartered.com
Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered Group has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its income and profits have more than doubled over the last five years primarily as a result of organic growth and supplemented by acquisitions.
Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank for its customers across its markets. The Bank derives more than 90 per cent of its operating income and profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, generated from its Wholesale and Consumer Banking businesses. The Group has around 1,750 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. The extraordinary growth of its markets and businesses creates exciting and challenging international career opportunities.
Leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders, the Group is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. It employs 75,000 people, nearly half of who are women. The Group's employees are of 115 nationalities, of which 60 are represented among senior management.
The integration of Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) marks an important step in Standard Chartered's Asia strategy by significantly enhancing Standard Chartered's presence in Taiwan, which is the fifth largest economy in Asia and is Asia's fourth largest banking market, according to Standard Chartered estimates.