PUBLISHED ON 27 MAR 2025
Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) is proud to announce a bold new Sustainability Action Plan for 2025-2030.
The Call of the Dragon – unveiled as part of yesterday’s Hong Kong Sport and Sustainability Summit (HKSSS) – is a comprehensive roadmap outlining ambitious targets for both environmental and social responsibility. The one-day HKCR Summit, hosted by Rugby For Good and supported by Hongkong Land and Centricity, brought together a global community of leaders, decision-makers and passionate individuals committed to driving positive change through the power of sport.
Jamie Farndale, HKCR’s General Manager of Club Development and Sustainability, explained that the Call of the Dragon plan (download here) serves as a significant evolution of the organisation’s longstanding commitment to sustainability:
“This isn't about starting something new. For years, we've been leading the charge in sustainable practices in rugby – so it's about solidifying our position as a global leader in responsible sport.
“We're now formalising that commitment with a detailed, actionable plan that will guide our efforts for the next five years and beyond. It’s not just about looking at what we are already doing well, but about shining a light on where more can be done.”
The plan, guided by the symbolic Call of the Dragon, focuses on three key pillars:
Our People: HKCR is committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for our colleagues, players and the wider community. The plan includes initiatives to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, while enhancing wellbeing and addressing barriers to participation.
Our Planet: Recognising the urgency of climate action, HKCR will implement a multifaceted strategy to reduce our environmental footprint and promote sustainability. This includes ambitious targets for waste reduction, energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction.
Social Impact: The plan emphasises HKCR's role in driving positive social change in Hong Kong. Initiatives will focus on identifying and removing barriers to participation, promoting engagement and delivering tangible secondary benefits through rugby. HKCR's innovative Impact League, a competition incentivising sustainable actions, is a key component of this.
The plan sets specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) targets for each pillar. HKCR will use established frameworks, including the UN Sports for Climate Action and Sports for Nature frameworks, to guide actions and transparently report on progress annually. Farndale continued:
“Other sports, like Sail GP and Formula E, are leading the way and showing the environmental, social and economic benefits of using sport for good. This is the future of sport, and now it is rugby’s turn to show it has a voice.
“We hope, by publishing this plan, to send a ripple effect across the rugby landscape – leading by example and inspiring others to join the global movement for a sustainable future.”
The HKCR Sustainability Plan, The Call of the Dragon, can be downloaded from: https://hksevens.com/assets/uploads/uploads/images/HKCR-Sustainability-Action-Plan.pdf