(3 April 2018 – Hong Kong) New World Department Store China Limited (“NWDS” or the “Company”; Hong Kong stock code: 825), one of the largest owners and operators of department stores in Mainland China, took part in WWF’s “Earth Hour” lights-off campaign for the ninth consecutive year. “New World” and “Ba Li Chun Tian” branded stores under its umbrella switched off energy-consuming installations such as non-essential lights, neon lights, large advertising lightboxes, and signage lightboxes for an hour from 8:30 in the evening of 24 March 2018. A total of 1,476 kWh of electricity was saved, which is equivalent to about 1.2 tonnes CO2 emission. Upholding the Company’s tradition, six NWDS’ stores joined hands with local bands and organized “Unplugged Concerts” to perform music with minimal electricity consumption to raise the public’s awareness towards global warming. 

This year marks the tenth year for “Earth Hour” landing in China. Close to 200 cities and 3,100 buildings responded to the lights-off initiative. Many of them are iconic buildings such as the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) in Beijing and the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower in Shanghai, etc. 35 NWDS’ stores across the country also took part in the campaign. Amongst them, six invited local bands and art groups to co-organize “Unplugged Concerts”. These are Beijing New World Qianzi Department Store, Xi’an New World Department Store, Hong Kong New World Department Store — Shanghai Shaanxi Road Branch Store, Changsha New World Trendy Plaza, Lanzhou New World Department Store, and Wuhan New World Department Store. At the event night, invited groups performed at the atria or plazas of the stores, using wooden guitars, Cajón drum boxes, African drums, violins and other acoustic instruments to play music, and sang popular songs. As customers were drawn to watch the low-carbon concert, the public’s mind for environmental conservation was awakened. 

Founded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2007, “Earth Hour” is the world’s largest initiative with an environmental cause. The campaign aims to encourage organizations and the public to take note of climate change and to put low-carbon lifestyles into action by turning off non-essential lights for one hour on a designated date and time. It also calls out to the public to extend the green spirit beyond the event and urges them to practice green in their everyday lives. As such, the slogan of the mainland event this year was “Kick-starting My 60+ Lifestyle”, which appeals to the public to adhere to five green lifestyle practices, namely reduction of plastic use, reduction of disposables, green consumption, low-carbon travelling, and recycling of resources. The movement to reduce plastic will be the starting point that guides the public in behavioral change. 

From practicing green operations to promoting green lifestyles, NWDS is indeed one of the pioneers that advocate sustainable development in Mainland China. As a business operator, the Company sets out clear environmental targets and guidelines every year and spares no effort in reducing energy consumption, carbon emission and waste to continually practice green operations. The procurement team under its direct sales business also strives to source various green products and health food for consumers. As an environment advocate, the Company organizes public education activities every year to encourage its staff, customers and the general public to adopt green lifestyles and to join up in combatting climate change, contributing to the environment and sustainable development of the society. In the future, the Company will continue to reduce carbon emission in its operations and stay close to the community so as to promote the philosophy of low-carbon and environmentally friendly living.

 - End -