Pictured above: HSBC’s Mark Watkinson and Francis Sullivan with Minister Konrad Mizzi, congratulating winners of the HSBC Water Conservation competition

A proposal submitted by the Government with the support of HSBC Malta has won €500,000 in HSBC Group funding to develop ‘The Catch the Drop Campaign’, a strategic 3-year initiative beginning October 2013.

The Catch the Drop Campaign is a national environmental and educational campaign for sustainable water in Malta. This funding from HSBC Group will see the campaign expand over the next three years, promoting water conservation in Malta and Gozo.

To raise awareness about this important development, 460 primary and secondary school students from 13 schools gathered in front of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta bearing signs and slogans promoting sustainable use of water. The group then paraded through Valletta en route to Upper Barrakka Gardens.

‘‘The Catch the Drop Campaign offers a strategic path towards sustainable water conservation in Malta, and this HSBC Group funding will breathe new life and energy into the initiative and contribute towards its strength implementation over the next three years,” said Francis Sullivan, Regional Head of Corporate Sustainability Europe and Advisor on the Environment.

“Water is essential to all human activity and a fundamental driver of all socio-economic growth but, as a resource, it is under great strain,’’ said HSBC’s Malta CEO Mark Watkinson. “This winning proposal aims to bring about the increased awareness and sustainable practices required to bring long-term positive change.”

“Achieving sustainable fresh water practices calls for a collective effort. We must act together to foster greater awareness and move towards more sustainable water practices” said Minister Konrad Mizzi. “By investing so much in communities on a global level, HSBC’s Water Programme is an impressive venture that encapsulates the spirit of corporate sustainability. Moreover, this assistance will help Malta in achieving its targets for improved water practices.”

Back in June 2012, the HSBC Group launched the €100 million HSBC Water Programme. This global initiative opened up €65 million worth of funding for developing countries and €35 million for countries where there is the presence of HSBC, thus including Malta. The Bank will be working with leading charities on social and environmental projects which have the potential to provide long-term economic benefits to local communities.