2010 News Releases

Hong Kong — Manulife (International) Limited has had its Wastewi$e Label upgraded to the “Class of Excellence” from one of “Good”, which was granted since the inception of the Environmental Labels Scheme in 2008.

The Wastewi$e Label is one of the most prestigious recognition schemes under the umbrella of the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) established by the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) of the HKSAR with the aim of encouraging businesses and organizations to take measures to reduce waste and adopt green management.

Michael Huddart, Manulife’s Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong, said: “As a responsible corporate citizen, minimizing our impact on the environment has been our long-term commitment to ensure the well-being of the community. Our forward-thinking approach in avoiding wastage and adopting environment-friendly practices is testimony to our on-going efforts in building a better future for our customers, as well as the people of Hong Kong.”

“We are proud to be able to demonstrate continuous self-improvement in green management and reach the “Class of Excellence” under the Wastewi$e Scheme. We will continue to make every endeavour to raise awareness and reduce threats facing the environment.”

From March 2009 to February 2010, Manulife saved 3.6 million sheets of paper, equivalent to more than 430 trees and fulfilled the requirement of attaining more than nine environmental goals covering two of three measuring categories namely, Waste Avoidance & Reduction; Collection & Recycling of Recyclable Materials, and Purchase/ Manufacture of Recycles Products. Some of the major achievements in waste reduction include:

• Saved 2.2 million sheets of A4 through the “Use Less Paper Action” program.
• Reduced paper usage of consolidated statements by 99 percent, saving more than 930,000 sheets of A4, following an opt-in option for customers to receive these online since early 2009.
• Produced first eBook version of the MIHL Annual Review, thus saving more than 485,000 hard-copy pages.
• Brought paper cup consumption down from 120,000 to 66,000.
• Used FSC or recycled paper for corporate materials, diaries, birthday cards, hand towels, etc.
• Donated to local charities some 200 obsolete printers and computers being replaced. 

The Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) is striding into its third year and has been recognized by the community as one of the most reputable award schemes in Hong Kong. It comprises the “Environmental Labels”, “Carbon “Less” Certificates” and “Sectoral Awards”. The Wastewi$e Label is one of the Environmental Labels which recognizes businesses’ waste reduction efforts and presents them with an opportunity to benchmark their commitment towards environmental excellence.

About Manulife(International) Limited

Manulife (International) Limited is a member of the Manulife Financial group of companies.

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 22 countries and territories worldwide. For more than 120 years, clients have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We provide asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in life and property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$454 billion (HK$3,332.7 billion) as at June 30, 2010. The company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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