Cover Nikki Ng (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
Nikki Ng (Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)
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The group general manager of Sino Group discusses the business’s commitment to sustainability and why it’s imperative for us to act now for a chance at a healthier future
Describe what you do.
I hope to promote green living, community and heritage initiatives to build a healthier future. I actively advocate for a sustainable community through policies and initiatives that support wellness, design, innovation and culture.
How does your business make a difference?
Sustainability is the key to a better future. We need to be able to provide for present needs without compromising the needs of future generations. [At Sino Group] we have management approaches and initiatives to achieve our goal of creating better lifescapes.
Climate change has emerged as one of world’s most critical issues and achieving net zero carbon is at the top of our agenda. Our Sustainability Vision 2030 maps a clear path for green living, innovative design and community spirit. Sustainability governance, sustainability blueprints and internal communications [are our priorities]. We launched the Sino Sustainability Academy in 2020 to ensure that the ethos of championing sustainability practices permeates from our leadership to frontline staff.
Do you have any mentors?
My late grandfather Ng Teng Fong, the founder of Sino Group. He always told us: “You will be good at whatever you are passionate about.” I miss him every day.
When did your interest in urban farming begin?
It started in my own home when I received a wonderful book in 2014 for Christmas called Growing Your Own Food in Hong Kong by surgeon-gardener Arthur Van Langenberg. It gave me the impetus to put the urban home gardening concept into practice—on my own rooftop—with the support of a good friend of mine, Max Wong, who is a social worker and community farmer who believes in farming as a form of therapy.
What are your favourite fruits and vegetables to grow?
Turmeric and watermelon. There is nothing more satisfying than eating your own produce. Turmeric takes around nine to ten months to grow and watermelon around three months; the wait makes it even more exciting.
Why did you launch Farm Together, Sino Group’s integrated green community project?
Before Farm Together was launched, we had an urban farm at one of our properties. In 2008, Sino Group initiated Mission Green Top [now named Sky Farm, at Skyline Tower in Kowloon Bay], a project that brought farming and wellness to tenants in the building while collaborating with the Hong Chi Association [an organisation supporting people with intellectual disabilities]. Sky Farm transformed into a 12,000 sq ft organic farm, featuring crops as diverse as winter melon, eggplants, corn, indigo, peanuts and kohlrabi. Since then, we expanded our sustainability commitment by launching Farm Together, where we collaborate with over a dozen partners and 20 urban farms.
What new initiatives has Farm Together launched since its inception?
Farm Together has expanded to include 19 farms in Hong Kong and one in Singapore, spanning over 56,000 sq ft, and cultivating over 380 plant and crop species that yield over 1,000 kg of crops annually. These locations provide the backdrop for engaging workshops that promote sustainable living concepts, cultivate green habits in the community and allow our stakeholders to explore a variety of species while learning about organic farming. Some of our key initiatives include Greenhouse@ tmtplaza, Hong Kong’s first indoor intelligent farm in a shopping mall; and Edible Garden at Sino Plaza, which puts the farm-totable concept into practice by [collaborating] with restaurant tenants Forum and Roganic to make delicious dishes from fresh produce.
What lessons did you learn from the pandemic?
The pandemic has taught me the importance of spending time with loved ones, the need to have a more compassionate society, and the importance of scientific and technological advancements to save lives and safeguard health. It also highlighted the condition of our planet due to climate change. It has been a clarion call for us to make a collective effort. We need to reflect on the way we live, work and travel to decarbonise and develop green solutions.
What tips do you have for those unsure of how to start their sustainability journey?
Small changes in our daily lives can make a difference. Start with yourself, by reducing electricity and water consumption, as well as adopting green practices and products.
What is your hope for the future?
The African proverb “the Earth is not ours—it is a treasure we hold in trust for future generations”. Sino will continue to deploy its best efforts to drive and initiate positive changes in the community. I wish to spread this message to help us build a better future together
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and business leaders to designers. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she curates star-studded events and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
