Bank staff chosen for nature studies project

Eight HSBC Bank Malta employees are part of a group of 500 HSBC Group employees selected from around the world to take part in the bank's Employee Environmental Fellowship Programme.

During 2004, Marian Ellul, Jonathan Balzan, Desmond Tonna, Natalino Xuereb, Joseph Debono, Simon Causon, Charmain Casha and Michelle Grech will spend time working on a number of Earthwatch projects in countries as diverse as Belize, Brazil, Trinidad, Iceland and Tanzania.

The HSBC Group Employee Environmental Fellowship Programme forms part of the Investing In Nature partnership launched by HSBC in February 2002.

Each employee will spend two weeks working on projects under the direction of an Earthwatch research project scientist, involving conservation of several different species such as manatees, turtles and African blue swallows.

HSBC employees returning from these projects will then join or start environmental projects in their own countries, with HSBC funding, using the skills learnt with Earthwatch.

"Approximately one in seven of the HSBC Group employees who apply for an Employee Environmental Fellowship are successful, so the fact that eight employees from HSBC Malta have been chosen shows the high standard of Maltese applicants," Chris Hothersall, CEO of HSBC Bank Malta, said.

The Earthwatch Institute engages people in worldwide scientific field research and education programmes to achieve sustainable development. The organisation is currently involved in more than 130 research projects in 118 countries.