CIBC FirstCaribbean was praised for being ahead of the pack by Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of housing, urban renewal, environment & climate change, during a tree planting ceremony at Jamaica College (JC) in St Andrew last month.

The largest regionally listed bank in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, CIBC FirstCaribbean, is currently celebrating 100 years of banking by planting 100 trees across the 16 countries and territories in which it operates.

Applauding their efforts, Charles, in his guest address at the ceremony on June 17, said: “It is always good to see where partnership is defined and reflected in a most positive way. This initiative by CIBC FirstCaribbean falls directly in line with ‘Renew Jamaica’, our government’s newest initiative to create a strong network with corporate Jamaica with the goal of advancing sustainability of our natural environment. 

Added Charles: “CIBC FirstCaribbean is ahead of the pack, not only in planting a tree but in partnering with a school to plant a concept that trees are very important. This is what we are trying to do on a larger scale.”

Declaring that “we must all understand our capacity to control climate change”, Charles said: “When the world thinks of Jamaica, they see beauty, sun, sea and lots of greenery. We have a duty to enhance and find a way to balance and protect our environment, even as we exploit it.”

TREES TO BE PLANTED AT 7 MORE SCHOOLS

Nigel Holness, managing director of CIBC FirstCaribbean, said: “The natural environment and the circumstances in which our communities work and live, is a high priority for us. Hence our decision to commemorate our 100th year by planting 100 trees. This is only one way in which we are doing our part to support the sustainability and protection of our Caribbean environment.”

Holness noted that prior to planting the tree at JC, the bank team planted trees at Wolmer’s Preparatory and Shortwood Practising Primary and will be planting trees at seven more schools across the island, including in the second city, Montego Bay, and other towns.

He said that, for the bank, “planting these trees at institutions of learning is very significant. Here is where young minds are moulded and dreams and ambitions watered and fed to full development. We expect the same for these trees and look forward to seeing them grow to full potential, along with our students”.

In the meanwhile, JC Principal Wayne Robinson thanked the CIBC FirstCaribbean team for choosing JC as one of the schools to receive one of the 100 trees.  

“This is very symbolic for us and we are very grateful. This is the first tree to be planted this year and we plan to plant many more under the Forestry Department’s programme. This is an investment in our future,” Robinson said.

The tree planting ceremonies at all three schools were attended by school board members, current and past students.

Other schools to participate in the CIBC FirstCaribbean 100 trees initiative are Kendal Primary, Mandeville; Rehoboth Basic, Portmore; Boundbrook Primary, Port Antonio; Chetwood Memorial Primary, Montego Bay; Denbigh High School, May Pen; Waterworks Early Childhood Institution and Iona High School, Ocho Rios.