The MBB’s Life+ project targeting businesses, hotels and SMES, and the ‘Catch the Drop Campaign’ – spearheaded by the HSBC Water programme – were put under the spotlights during an event held at the European Parliament thanks to the Initiative of MEP Therese Comodini Cachia (EPP group) and MEP Miriam Dalli (S&D).

MEP Therese Comodini Cachia stated, “The HSBC Water Programme, Catch the Drop Campaign and the MBB project on the use of grey water in hotels are both projects which deserve European recognition. They are exceptional initiatives showing how private industry can work hand-in-hand with schools to provide valuable education and how the industry can, not only make a positive environmental contribution, but also generate skills for green and new jobs.”

MEP Miriam Dalli commented, “The abstraction of water for industrial use has declined over the past 15 years. But this is not enough.” She continued, “That is why projects like HSBC’s Catch the Drop and the MBB’s Life+ Investing in Water are important as they promote innovation both at an industry level, but also at a cultural level in order to assist and inspire new solutions to tomorrow’s problems. Moreover, these projects have also prompted the Government to consider the introduction of grey water treatment systems as part of its plans for the water sector.”

MBB CEO Joe Tanti said that, “Savings of around 1.4 billion Euros per annum are possible for the EU hospitality industry. This can be achieved through the EU-industry-wide adoption of flow rate regulation and grey water treatment. Take up of these solutions will bring environmental benefits, increase the competitiveness of the EU’s hospitality industry through reduced costs, and create a new green industry and new green jobs for the supply of equipment and services to the industry. This supply industry would also have strong EU-export potential.”

Glenn Bugeja, Manager- Corporate Sustainability Department, HSBC Bank Malta plc. said that Catch the Drop is the largest ever national environmental and educational campaign of its kind in Malta with the aim to forge a blueprint for progress on sustainability of water as a resource. “Over the past three years, the campaign has taken its message to nearly 50,000 students, dozens of corporates and NGOs, and a number of local councils using a range of outreach activities.” He remarked that the programme’s potential to be a model for other European countries has attracted the attention of policymakers at a European Parliament level.