Two hundred and fifty trees were planted at MCAST over the past weeks as part of the ongoing Cycle for Trees initiative by local organisation MOVE. In a tree planting activity held on 7 March, the HSBC Malta Foundation announced that it would continue to support this initiative by sponsoring another 4,000 trees.

The Cycle for Trees initiative aims to address climate change issues and promotes cycling as an alternative method of transportation to school or work. A tree is planted for every 50 kilometres donated. Over the past months, MCAST students cycled and donated their kilometres to plant trees on campus.

Principal and CEO Professor Joachim James Calleja spoke about the significance of Corporate Social Responsibility at the College: “We need to develop and cultivate skills, attitudes, and values to empower young learners to become active citizens. Greening our campus is also top of our agenda as we continue to develop our spaces for the community.”

HSBC Malta Executive Director & Head of Business Development said that the HSBC Foundation was committed to supporting such initiatives: “I am impressed by all the initiatives taking place at the College. Sustainability is core to the way we operate, and we are proud to be supporting the Cycling for Trees initiative designed to provide value and motivation to younger generations”.

On behalf of MOVE, Director and Founder Cynthia Debono thanked all volunteers who worked together to raise awareness and plant trees across the campus. “We aim to create a better environment for future generations. As the saying goes, someone will be sitting in the shade of a tree in the future because someone planted a tree today.”

MOVE is a non-profit organisation spearheading the use of sports for culture and wellbeing, encouraging citizens to seek mobilisation. The organisation works with MCAST staff and student as part of the College’s corporate social responsibility activities.