KPMG China

China

Corporate Social Responsibility

Global Green Initiative - Inspire Antarctic Expedition 2009


KPMG employees excited about Antarctic trip

Source: China Daily, 2009-03-09

Liu: Liu Jie
Tsui: Diana Tsui
Jin: Leah Jin
A: All


Editor's note: KPMG, one of the world's top four accounting houses, has decided to send one employee from the US firm and one from the China firm to join an expedition to Antarctica, initiated by globally renowned polar explorer Robert Swan, from March 17-24.

According to the firm, the move is a part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program Global Green Initiative, dedicated to climate change issues and bringing positive changes to the Earth.

Prior to the expedition, Diana Tsui, CSR director with KPMG China, and Leah Jin, the Chinese employee chosen to take part in the journey, shared their views on the company's Global Green Initiative and the Antarctica expedition with China Business Weekly reporter Liu Jie.

Liu: Why does KPMG sponsor employees to take part in the expedition to Antarctica?

Tsui: For many years, as KPMG has committed to demonstrating our firm as an organization that cares for our community and environment, we have had a number of CSR programs in place. As a firm, we encourage our people to spend their spare time in CSR activities. We also encourage our staff members to adopt an everyday attitude toward the green issues the world is facing.

Climate change is not a problem of scientists and environmentalists alone, nor is it an issue of a specific country, it affects all of us today and impacts the next generation. It is important that we all take part to bring positive changes to the Earth.

Taking part in this Antarctica expedition exemplifies our firm's efforts toward Global Green Initiative; on the other hand, this expedition helps train up leadership skills of those taking part. Having our people in the expedition will create awareness among our staff about Green issues. We also hope that from the experience, KPMG can play a role in generating public awareness.

Liu: There are only two employees lucky enough to be chosen, one from KPMG US and one from China. As a multinational company, why did the headquarters decide to select one employee from China?

Tsui: China is important in the world's politics and economy. Premier Wen Jiabao has approved a five-year plan that sets out guidelines and measures for the government to tackle pollution and meet environmental targets.

At KPMG China, we have just completed our internal carbon emission assessment for the calendar year 2007, and have set a goal to reduce our carbon footprint by 25 percent by 2010 from our 2007 levels. Over the next two years, we will explore, develop and implement green strategies to reduce emissions across all of our KPMG China offices.

To further support this Global Green Initiative, KPMG International takes part in the Antarctica expedition. Also, KPMG China held a strategic role for the operation of KPMG globally. We believe in the country and are aware of the impact China will have on the world.

Liu: What are the criteria for KPMG to select the candidates?

Tsui: The candidates have to be physically fit to be able to handle the terrain and hiking requirements and must be comfortable with and willing to travel. He or she must have good presentation skills and be a good communicator. He or she will be the ambassador for KPMG both internally and externally. He or she must be a top performer in the firm with previous experience in community services both within the firm and outside of the firm. He or she must be passionate for taking part in this expedition.

Liu: For this initiative, what benefits can KPMG as an employer get? What are your expectations for the employees, who will start their expedition soon?

Tsui: It exemplifies KPMG as a responsible corporate citizen. KPMG is committed to corporate social responsibility and climate change issues especially, and this opportunity allows the staff members to get more attuned to the climate change issues and helps to enhance their awareness.

A number of internal communication activities within KPMG will be carried out to bring staff awareness to the expedition and also to the climate change issue. KPMG is also committed to train up our future leaders, the participants' leadership and personal skills through working in challenging conditions in the Antarctic. After the expedition, the participants will share with other staff members their experience in seminars and they will also be sharing their experience with university students.

Liu: Please brief us on yourself and your career in KPMG.

Jin: I am a senior manager in IT Advisory at KPMG's Advisory practice in Shanghai. I was born and grew up here and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in the US. I am a licensed CPA and a CISA and started my career with KPMG in 2000.

Actually, I am an active member of KPMG's corporate social responsibility program and a member of the company's Global Sustainability Services (GSS) network.

Liu: How did you get the chance to take part in the Antarctica expedition? In your opinion, what kind of characteristics helped win this treasured opportunity for you amongst KPMG's 8,500 employees in China?

Jin: I received an invitation to apply to be on the expedition last December. I submitted an essay entitled "Why Should I Be the Person to Go on This Trip?" Then our Chairman John Harrison interviewed me in person. I was notified that I was selected in January.

Since the candidate list was not open to the public, I have no way of comparing my qualifications to others who applied. However, I believe my passion on the topics of climate change, sustainability and CSR has much to do with the final decision.

In addition, my outdoor experiences also proved to the firm's senior management of my physical abilities to take on the challenge.

Liu: When hearing the news, what was your first impression or response? What are the greatest challenges you foresee so far?

All: Exhilaration.

The most challenging part of the expedition will be the unpredictability of the Antarctic weather. Although we have an itinerary, its realization is largely at the mercy of the Antarctic weather.

 

 

 

© KPMG Advisory (China) Limited, a wholly foreign owned enterprise in China and KPMG Huazhen (Special General Partnership), a special general partnership in China, are member firms of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.All rights reserved.

© KPMG, a Hong Kong partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.


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