HKIAC signs Green Pledge & supports Green Protocols

PRESS RELEASE
HKIAC signs Green Pledge and supports launch of consultation on Green Protocols

HKIAC has signed the Green Pledge to support the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations (Campaign). The Campaign is an initiative to reduce the environmental impact of the international arbitration community. By signing up to the Green Pledge, HKIAC is pleased to demonstrate its commitment to the Campaign and its Guiding Principles. The Guiding Principles focus on reducing travel, minimising hard copy documents, and reducing energy consumption and waste in arbitration.

Launch of public consultation on Green Protocols

HKIAC is a member of the Campaign’s Steering Committee (Steering Committee) and is part of a dedicated working group (Working Group) tasked with preparing a framework and six associated protocols (Green Protocols) to promote better environmental behaviour through a series of action items targeting key stakeholders.

The Campaign has launched the public consultation phase. You are invited to attend one of the two global sessions being held to introduce the Green Protocols. Note, all registrants will receive access to a recording of the event if they are unable to attend.

The Working Group is particularly interested in:

- Best environmental practices that might not have been considered within each protocol.

- Whether the language should be mandatory or opt-in. Specifically, on this point the Working Group hopes that when using language from the protocols that they are adopted almost verbatim, however it recognises that in some instances stronger language might not be possible for certain users.

- Whether users see a benefit to each of these protocols, and can they see them being adopted either whole or in part.

Any written comments on the Green Protocols are welcomed, and can be sent to protocols@greenerarbitrations.com by 15 March 2021.

Following the global sessions, a series of interactive regional sessions are being arranged to engage key players in each region. HKIAC is pleased to host the Asia-Pacific session on 25 February 2021. If you are interested in participating, please email events@hkiac.org before 5 February 2021.

Please support the Campaign to implement a new industry standard for the international arbitration community.

HKIAC’s Commitment to Greener Arbitrations

Joining the Committee and signing the Green Pledge formalises HKIAC’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its activities and those of its users. In recent years, HKIAC has made efforts to adopt more sustainable behaviours. All documents are stored electronically on a secured platform, parties and tribunals are actively encouraged to submit documents by electronic means only, an online repository is available specifically for the service of documents in electronic format, and comprehensive virtual hearing services are offered.

HKIAC has implemented guidelines for its marketing activities to minimise single use items, eliminate plastic and adopt digital promotion for all events. HKIAC has also organised events with virtual participation (both speakers and attendees) to reduce travel for conferences, a practice that will continue long past the pandemic. HKIAC will continue its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the international arbitration community.