Inaugural Deloitte China Sustainability Awards open for nomination

Published: 1 November 2013

Professional services organization Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural Deloitte China Sustainability Awards ("the Awards") supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China. With the goals of encouraging and recognizing best practice in sustainability and highlighting the importance of sustainability in China, the Awards are now open for nominations from multinational companies (MNCs) operating in China.

"We are excited and proud to have founded the Deloitte China Sustainability Awards supported by the United Nations Development Programme in China. These Awards focus on honouring the sustainability achievements of MNCs in China. As stakeholders are increasingly demanding companies to achieve a sustainable performance alongside their revenue targets, sustainable business operations are crucial to the sound and successful future of China and its business sector," said Mr Danny Lau, Vice Chairman, Deloitte China and Deloitte Asia Pacific Managing Director of Enterprise Risk Services.

"In China, it is the shared belief of Deloitte and the UNDP that MNCs need to develop sound sustainability strategies in and for China, based on Chinese development needs. Some MNCs are already demonstrating good practices which are strategic in nature and which form part of their daily business operations. These strategies are worth rewarding to lead the way for other companies to follow suit and develop comprehensive and in-depth sustainability strategies to ensure a positive impact on Chinese society," added Mr Lau.

We accept nominations from all MNCs with their headquarters overseas but with operations that have been registered on the Chinese Mainland, in Hong Kong SAR and or Macau SAR for three consecutive years. Nominations can be submitted by filling in the entry forms on Deloitte's website and providing documents that cover the sustainability governance structure, sustainability risk, opportunities, sustainability implementation and results of the company's sustainability effort, such as its sustainability report. Award winners will be honoured for the best sustainable practices in five categories, namely leadership, innovation, best environmental performance, best social performance and best community investment. In addition, there will be one theme award category focusing on an area of sustainability of particular relevance each year. This year, the company that best demonstrates a leadership approach to water management will be recognized under the theme of “Water Stewardship”.

All winning companies will be invited to the Sustainability Awards ceremony to be held in Shanghai on 27 February 2014. The occasion will provide a platform for the winners to showcase their best practices and performance in sustainability. They will also have the opportunity to exchange views on how these practices can shape the current and future agenda of sustainability development in China with representatives from other MNCs, key government bodies, foreign diplomatic missions, foreign chambers of commerce and industry associations in China. Furthermore, the winners will be invited to participate in Sustainability Awards thought leadership initiatives.

"The private sector is vital if we want to achieve a better and more sustainable future. We need companies to act responsibly with high levels of corporate performance if we want to be able to ensure a more sustainable China, socially, financially, environmentally and not least ethically. This is why the private sector is a key partner for the United Nations Development Programme China. We are joining forces with companies and business leaders in China and all over the world to help realize the Millennium Development Goals, eradicate poverty and fight climate change," said Mr Patrick Haverman, Deputy Country Director of UNDP China.

"MNCs operating in China, therefore, should follow heightened standards, focus on scalable corporate action, and share best practices supporting progress, prosperity, and a healthy planet, and not just because it is good business ethics, but also because is good for business. By being a responsible, sustainable business, a company can save money and reduce energy, packaging, water and waste. Companies can win over consumers, inspire, attract and engage the best employees in the world, and they can also foster important innovation that makes a real impact on our global challenges. Through this award we are looking forward to championing those that are doing exactly this," Mr Haverman added.  

"As China's economy has emerged to become the second largest in the world, its responsibility towards the global community has commensurately increased and the contribution from its corporate citizens, including state-owned enterprises, private enterprises and MNCs will be more crucial. By enhancing the sustainability landscape in China for a long-term future, it will not just benefit the Chinese population, but the entire global community," said Ms Yvonne Wu, Partner and National Leader for Sustainability, Deloitte China.

About UNDP Global
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

About UNDP in China
UNDP promotes sustainable human development to help build resilient nations and to empower people to build better lives. As the UN's development network, UNDP has drawn on world-wide experience for over three decades to assist China both in developing solutions to its own ongoing development challenges, and in its south-south cooperation and engagement in global development. Domestically, our work focuses on Good Governance, Energy & Environment, Poverty Reduction and Disaster Management. In terms of global and South-South work, our focuses are trilateral cooperation in third countries, sharing experience of foreign aid systems, global and regional issues, private sector engagement, and sharing development experiences and lessons through South-South dialogue.