AXA Week for Good 2025 Champions Climate, Biodiversity and Social Inclusion – The Manila Times
AXA Hong Kong and Macau’s “Week for Good 2025” Advances Sustainable Development Goals
Overview of the Campaign
From June 16 to 27, 2025, AXA Hong Kong and Macau (“AXA”) conducted its annual global volunteering campaign, “Week for Good 2025,” engaging over 1,100 volunteers in environmental restoration and community service initiatives. This 15th edition of the campaign emphasized the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on Climate Action (SDG 13), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).
Focus Areas Aligned with SDGs
- Climate Change & Biodiversity
- Addressing deforestation, soil degradation, and habitat destruction.
- Supporting ecosystem stability to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters.
- Contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
- Inclusive Protection
- Supporting underprivileged communities through social inclusion initiatives.
- Promoting SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Key Initiatives and Volunteer Engagement
AXA volunteers collaborated with local NGOs and social enterprises to implement four flagship initiatives that integrate environmental sustainability with community empowerment:
- Tree Planting Day
- Over 240 volunteers planted 300 native tree seedlings in degraded farmland in the New Territories.
- Supported the World Green Organisation’s “Tree Partner Programme” to restore ecosystems (SDG 15).
- Harvested 86 kilograms of local produce donated to the Hong Kong Student Aid Society, promoting nutritious meals for approximately 100 children and youth (SDG 2: Zero Hunger).
- Pay It Forward Programme
- Volunteers prepared and packed 400 hot meals for homeless, disabled individuals, and low-income families.
- Addressed food insecurity and fostered dignity among vulnerable populations (SDG 2 and SDG 10).
- Anti-Mosquito Natural Balm Handicraft Workshop
- Led by women from the community, including single mothers and retirees.
- Volunteers learned to create eco-friendly mosquito balms, reducing reliance on chemical products (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production).
- Balms were donated to underprivileged groups such as the homeless, waste pickers, and elderly.
- Kyo-Yuzen Art Jamming Workshop
- Volunteers hand-decorated reusable indigo-dyed tote bags.
- Bags were donated to sick children and people in need, combining creativity with social support (SDG 3 and SDG 10).
Leadership Commitment to Sustainable Development
Sally Wan, Chief Executive Officer of AXA Greater China, highlighted the company’s dedication to protecting people and the planet by addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inclusion. She emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen community engagement and promote sustainable futures through innovative approaches aligned with the SDGs.
AXA’s Role in Advancing the SDGs
- Driving climate transition and biodiversity conservation through active volunteerism and partnerships.
- Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into business operations.
- Supporting mental health and well-being as part of comprehensive community care (SDG 3).
- Promoting inclusive protection and reducing inequalities within local communities.
About AXA Hong Kong and Macau
AXA Hong Kong and Macau is part of the AXA Group, a global insurer operating in 50 markets and serving 95 million customers. The company offers integrated Life, Health, and General Insurance solutions and is committed to sustainability through its climate strategy and biodiversity commitments based on TCFD recommendations. AXA aims to create shared value by acting as an investor, insurer, and exemplary company dedicated to human progress and environmental stewardship.
References
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – Climate Change and Biodiversity
- United Nations Reports on Land Degradation and Climate Trends
1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- The article highlights AXA’s focus on climate change, mentioning the warmest decade on record and climate disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, and floods.
- AXA’s initiatives include environmental restoration and climate transition efforts.
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- AXA volunteers participated in tree planting and restoration of degraded farmland, addressing deforestation, soil degradation, and habitat destruction.
- The article references biodiversity conservation as a key pillar of AXA’s sustainability strategy.
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- Volunteers harvested and donated 86 kilograms of produce to support nutritious meals for children and youth in need.
- Preparation and distribution of hot meals to homeless, disabled, and low-income families address food insecurity.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- AXA’s initiatives include promoting healthy diets and providing eco-friendly mosquito balms to reduce chemical use, supporting community health.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Focus on supporting underprivileged communities, including homeless, disabled individuals, single mothers, retirees, and sick children.
- Inclusive protection and social inclusion are emphasized as part of AXA’s sustainability strategy.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Use of eco-friendly products such as natural mosquito balms and reusable tote bags promotes sustainable consumption.
2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
- Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of forests and halt deforestation.
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
- Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases and reduce vector-borne diseases.
- Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress
- Environmental Restoration and Biodiversity
- Number of native tree seedlings planted (300 seedlings planted in degraded farmland).
- Area of degraded land restored (implied through tree planting in degraded farmland areas).
- Food Security and Nutrition
- Quantity of food harvested and donated (86 kilograms of produce donated).
- Number of meals prepared and distributed (400 hot meals packed for vulnerable groups).
- Community Inclusion and Support
- Number of volunteers engaged (over 1,100 volunteers participated).
- Number of beneficiaries receiving aid (e.g., approximately 100 children and youth receiving nutritious meals, donations to homeless and elderly).
- Number of eco-friendly products created and distributed (e.g., mosquito balms, reusable tote bags).
- Climate Action Awareness and Capacity Building
- Number of workshops held and participants educated (e.g., Anti-Mosquito Natural Balm Handicraft Workshop).
4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
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SDG 13: Climate Action |
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SDG 15: Life on Land |
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SDG 2: Zero Hunger |
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being |
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities |
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production |
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Source: manilatimes.net