Regal Hotels Group said it will enter into the metaverse with MetaGreen, a project to develop an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) themed plot of "LAND" in The Sandbox, a leading decentralised gaming virtual world and subsidiary of Animoca Brands.
As an estate LAND NFT within Mega City 2, MetaGreen will be the Sandbox's first green metropolis and represent an exciting ecosystem that will positively harness blockchain, tokenisation, GameFi, play-to-earn and NFTs. Scheduled for completion by October 2022, MetaGreen aims to promote eco-friendly choices and foster a sustainable community to support a circular economy.
Poman Lo, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Regal Hotels Group, said: "Sustainability and technology have long been at the heart of our group's DNA and passionately infused in our corporate initiatives and strategic investments. Web3 and metaverse technologies will not only disrupt every facet of our daily lives, but also empower socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable impact in the world.
“Accelerating the transition to carbon net zero, MetaGreen is a collaborative ecosystem of likeminded partners co-creating a progressive green movement to inspire decarbonisation and behavioural changes in the consumer and business communities.
"The metaverse, blockchain and NFTs are here to stay, and our investment in The Sandbox puts Regal Hotels among the first hotel groups in the world to take a bold and leading role in the next iteration of the internet. The MetaGreen project strives to inspire, educate and catalyse a more sustainable future by mobilising a green ecosystem of likeminded partners who will co-create this path to carbon net zero with us, as we leverage the latest blockchain technology and immersive new media."
The Group is acutely aware of the environmental impact of proof-of-work protocols, which spurred the careful decision to partner MetaGreen with The Sandbox, due to its current migration to the eco-friendly Polygon blockchain and its carbon offset pledges. As part of the Group's own pledge, MetaGreen has already purchased more than double the verified carbon credits necessary to reverse its limited Ethereum emissions.
Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, said, "We are excited to be part of the visionary MetaGreen project. This innovative concept resonates with Hang Seng's strong aspiration to being a leading ESG driver in the local banking sector. We intend to become carbon neutral in our operations by 2030 and support our customers to transition to a low-carbon economy.
“Raising awareness, inspiring young people and encouraging them to take their future in their own hands is also key to making this happen. Hang Seng's presence in the MetaGreen will provide a dynamic new venue for the Bank to encourage greater community collaboration, particularly among younger people, to address major ESG issues and global challenges such as climate change, with the vision of building a greener tomorrow. "
Regal Hotels has purchased what is known as an "estate" or a group of individual lands merged into a larger parcel, which will be a green virtual district in Mega City 2 and the first sustainability-themed metropolis in The Sandbox.
At present, there are six uniquely interactive districts that make up the MetaGreen virtual estate:
• Regal Hotels' green hotel & residence will showcase the latest sustainable proptech innovations and promote financial inclusion in the world's most expensive real estate market, where the Group will initially sell around 100 units in the form of NFTs;
• MetaGreen Convention Center – as The Sandbox's first MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) facility where ESG-related sustainability conferences will be hosted, demonstrating the next generation of interactive corporate events in the metaverse;
• MetaGreen Mall – the first sustainability-themed metaverse shopping mall that will cater to Hong Kong consumers who prefer virtual shopping over traditional physical malls, while also offering immersive and creative O2O experiences;
• Art Park – a green art gallery that will serve as a platform for both artistic innovation and sustainability awareness;
• MetaGreen Academy – the first metaverse-based secondary school green curriculum, developed in partnership with HKUST Business School as a non-profit initiative of Bodhi Love Foundation, a Section 88 charity founded in 2013 by Ms. Poman Lo; and
• Virtual eco-travel – a metaverse biosphere that promotes biodiversity and online-to-offline eco-farming.
Accessibility and inclusivity are core elements to MetaGreen, as The Sandbox requires only a laptop or desktop computer with an approach quite similar to a traditional computer game. Targeting everyone from Generation X to Generation Z and people of all genders, ethnicities, religions and professions, Regal Hotels sees approximately two thirds of Hong Kong's population, a user base of 5 million, as potential MetaGreen netizens.
In the coming months, MetaGreen will announce more details regarding its pioneering decarbonise-to-earn model and continue to invite additional ecosystem partners who share their vision and intention of building a greener tomorrow. – TradeArabia News Service
Travel & Tourism News
Regal Hotels enters metaverse with green metropolis
