ASCOTT SUPPORTS EARTH HOUR

Launched global Go Green @ Ascott movement and targets 15% savings in water and energy consumption 2015

(Shanghai, 28 March 2012) Ascott will be participating in Earth Hour on Saturday, 31 March 2012. All its serviced residences in China will be turning off lights for 10 hours, while residents will be invited to take part in green initiatives. The world’s largest international serviced residence owner-operator has also recently embarked on a global sustainability drive, ‘Go Green @ Ascott’, to play its part in saving the environment as it works towards becoming the world’s leading green serviced residence company.

Ascott’s properties in China have participated in Earth Hour since 2009 and saved 3,391 KWH and 4,316 KWH in 2010 and 2011 respectively. This year, Ascott will be turning off facade lights and non-essential lighting at its properties in China for extended hours throughout the night from 8.30pm on 31 March to 6.30am on 1 April. Emergency lighting and security systems will function normally to ensure that safety and security are not compromised.

In addition, Ascott will engage residents through various activities. Ascott’s nine properties in Xi’an, Wuhan, Shenyang, Guangzhou and Shenzhen will present gifts to guests when they recycle; “Trees” have been put in place at the lobbies of three properties in Tianjin where residents can put up their wishes for environmental protection; Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai will invite residents to take part in planting and designing reusable grocery bags.

Beyond participating in the global Earth Hour yearly, Ascott has launched a Monthly Earth Day on the first Friday of every month for its serviced residences in China. Ascott’s employees in China have also adopted green practices in the office such as printing on double sides, using water and electricity efficiently and switching off computers during lunch breaks.

In addition, Ascott has put in place comprehensive environment, health and safety procedures across its serviced residences. To create sustainable residences that are both comfortable and resource and energy, green elements will be incorporated into all new properties to be built or renovated efficient. This includes the use of sustainable building materials or products that are locally sourced, more energy efficient and more durable, which consequently have less impact on the environment. Several of Ascott’s serviced residences in China have achieved BCA Green Mark certifications. These include Citadines Zhuankou Wuhan, Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi’an and Somerset Heping Shenyang.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director for North Asia said: “Through the various green initiatives, Ascott hopes to do its part to save the environment. With the launch of Go Green @ Ascott, we wish to proactively transform our business practices and promote sustainability among our staff, residents and business partners. Ascott has implemented and will continue to roll out sustainable initiatives across its offices and properties worldwide, and targets to achieve 15% savings in water and energy consumption by 2015, using 2008 as the base year. In 2011, Ascott consumed 9% less water and energy compared with 2008. ”