BEC EnviroSeries Conference - Safeguarding the Future of Our Climate and Ecosystems: Aligning Hong Kong’s Actions with UN Biodiversity and Climate Change Conferences
Date: 29 November 2024 (Friday)
Time: 9:25a.m. – 5:00p.m.
Format: Hybrid
Venue: The Ballroom, Level 7, Cordis Hotel and Online
Programme
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9:00 – 9:25a.m. |
Conference Registration |
| 9:25 – 9:30a.m. |
Opening Remarks Mr Kevin O’Brien, Chairman, Business Environment Council |
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9:30 – 9:45a.m. |
Keynote Speech |
| 9:45 – 10:00a.m. |
Keynote Speech Ms Nancy Gillis, Senior Director, Industrial Decarbonization, World Business Council for Sustainable Development |
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10:00 – 11:00a.m. |
Session 1: Outcome of COP29 and Towards COP30 – Strengthening Climate Commitments As countries set to submit their next nationally determined contributions (“NDCs”), this session shares the highlights of COP29, discusses if the outcome is paving way to raise global climate ambitions in alignment with 1.5°C pathway, and determines how Hong Kong should leverage its expertise in stepping up its climate goals together with the business sector. Panel Discussion
(Additional panellists will be confirmed shortly) |
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11:00 – 11:30a.m. |
Networking Break |
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11:30 – 12:30p.m. |
Session 2: Futureproofing Businesses Against Rising Climate Risks and Impacts The warming climate is leading to increased disruptions to global supply chains and businesses. While businesses have started to assess physical climate risks and impacts, quantification and making the business case for adaptation action remain challenges for many corporates. This session explores how forward-looking businesses invest to increase climate resilience. Presentation
Panel Discussion
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12:30 – 2:00p.m. |
Lunch Break |
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2:00 – 2:10p.m. |
Keynote Speech
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2:10 – 3:10p.m. |
Session 3: COP16, Policy and Actions in Building Business Cases for Biodiversity and Nature To mainstream the business cases for biodiversity and nature, global narrative and policy landscape need to be shifted, more capacity building and knowledge sharing including solutions at scale are required for businesses that are yet to include biodiversity and nature in their sustainability considerations. The session would underpin the essential components in building the business cases. Presentation (Speaker to be announced shortly) Panel Discussion Moderator: Mr Andy Cornish, Founder & Chief Strategist, Cornerstone Strategies
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3:10 – 3:40p.m. |
Networking Break |
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3:40 – 4:40p.m. |
Session 4: Identifying, Assessing and Disclosing Material Nature-related Issues in Value Chains Nature is now widely recognised as a strategic risk management issue for business and finance. The launch of TNFD disclosure recommendations have mobilised companies to start disclosing material nature-related issues. This session discusses how businesses assess, report and act on their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities, as well as the enabling factors needed to support corporate disclosure. Presentation
Panel Discussion
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4:40 – 4:45p.m. |
Closing Remarks
Mr Simon Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Business Environment Council |
Speakers *arranged in order of appearance
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Ms Nancy Gillis Nancy Gillis is Senior Director, Industrial Decarbonization at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) focused on accelerating the decarbonization, equality and nature positivity of the Mobility, Energy and Built Environment sectors. She previously led the First Movers Coalition, the currently $15 billion demand-side initiative for innovative clean technology, at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Her experience includes being CEO of the Global Electronics Council (GEC) and serving as the Global Lead for Resilient and Responsible Supply Chains at Ernst & Young (EY). During the Obama Administration, Nancy was the Director of the Federal Supply Chain Office at the General Services Administration (GSA), the public procurement agency for the US government, where she was responsible for the inclusion of sustainability criteria in approximately $64 billion of procurement spend. She currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the Scope 3 Peer Group and the Sustainable Procurement Pledge. Nancy received her graduate degree in Information Technology from Georgetown University.
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Dr Fan Dai Dr Fan Dai is a Research Committee Member of Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality HKU. Dr Dai is also a Senior Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. She also served senior positions at the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development Dr Dai was awarded the Clean Energy Champion by State of California in 2024. Her research expertise includes market mechanisms for climate change mitigation, climate diplomacy and governance. Dr Dai is a graduate from School of Law, University of California, Berkeley and holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Economics and Policy form the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
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Ir Dr Shelley Zhou Ir Dr Shelley Zhou is currently Head of Corporate Sustainability at Hang Seng Bank. Prior to joining Hang Seng, Dr Zhou led ESG services in APAC for Capco, where she developed ESG products and solutions for financial institutions in Asia-Pacific, established a capable team to deliver net-zero strategy advisory and ESG consultancy services, and provided internal capacity-building and external executive training on climate and ESG related topics. Dr Zhou is a sustainability professional, has 20+ years’ experience in corporate sustainability, environmental and carbon management consultancy, new energy and biotechnology in Hong Kong, China and Singapore, covering government, banking, financial, real estate and retail sectors. Shelley holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Philosophy degree in Civil Engineering from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). She is also Adjunct Professor at HKUST and has offered carbon management courses since 2010.
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Dr Calvin Kwan Dr Calvin Lee Kwan oversees Link Asset Management’s governance and strategy for sustainability and risk management, ensuring alignment with the Group’s long-term strategic objectives.
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Ms Chelsea Jiang Chelsea Jiang is the Chief Technical and Innovation Officer of General Insurance for Greater China for AXA Group. Chelsea has held previous position in underwriting, distribution and claims working with most APAC countries, notably Australia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Philippines. Her focus is to drive technical excellence, business strategy and delivery using data, analytics and innovation. Chelsea holds degrees in Law and Commerce from the University of Melbourne and Masters of Business Administration from University of Hong Kong.
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Mr Mickey Lai Mr Mickey LAI joined the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in 1996 and rose to be a directorate grade officer in 2015. He was Assistant Director (Fisheries) of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation from 2015 to 2021, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation from 2021 to 2024, and has been serving as Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation since May 2024. Under the leadership of Mr LAI, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is committed to facilitating production and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s agriculture and fisheries industries; managing government fresh food wholesale markets; conserving flora, fauna and natural habitats; managing country parks, the geopark, special areas, marine parks and the marine reserve; protecting endangered species; promoting animal welfare; and controlling animal and plant diseases.
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Mr Andy Cornish Andy Cornish grew up in Hong Kong, and completed a Ph.D on reef fishes at The University of Hong Kong in 2000. He spent 16 years working for the world’s largest conservation organisation WWF, first as the Conservation Director for WWF-Hong Kong, and then as the leader for a global marine conservation program for WWF International. He is currently the Founder and Chief Strategist for Cornerstone Strategies, a boutique consultancy that provides tailored strategic planning support to charities, foundations and corporations in Asia Pacific and beyond. He also helps coordinate coalitions including the Hong Kong Expert Biodiversity Group and Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition.
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Mr Patrick Ho Mr Patrick Ho is responsible for formulating and executing a corporate sustainability strategy for Swire Properties’ global operations across Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and USA portfolios. Through engaging stakeholders, setting targets and developing action plans, he leads a team to manage the full spectrum of the Company’s environmental, social and economic impact and to integrate ESG considerations into every facet of Swire Properties’ business. In his role, Patrick works with senior leaders to establish the 1.5°C Science-Based Targets (SBT) to align with the pathway of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. He also worked on developing the Green Finance Framework for Swire Properties’ first US$500 million green bond and HK$500 million sustainability-linked loan, responding to emerging areas of sustainability such as Climate-related Financial Disclosures aligned with TCFD, embodied carbon emissions analysis for new development projects, and a strategic assessment of the climate-related physical and transition risks and opportunities under various future climate scenarios. Patrick also led Swire Properties maintains its top listings on several global and regional sustainability indices and ratings, including the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (ranked 7th globally, 1st in Asia in 2021), Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB, Global Sector Leader in Mixed Use Developments for 6th consecutive year), MSCI ESG Ratings (highest “AAA” for 5th consecutive year) and Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index (No. 1 in Hong Kong for 5th consecutive year). Patrick is a Chartered Environmentalist, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and a Certified Carbon Auditor Professional. He sits on the Board of Business Environment Council and Corporate Advisory Board of World Green Building Council, and is a Member to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Expert Advisory Group for Building Sector, and a Steering Committee Member of Climate Change Business Forum of the Business Environment Council.
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Mr Simon Chan Mr CHAN Kin Fung, Simon is Assistant Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, overseeing nature conservation efforts in Hong Kong. With 28 years of experience in the Department, he has been actively involved in a broad spectrum of nature conservation initiatives, encompassing wildlife management and protection, endangered species protection, habitat management, biodiversity conservation, ecological surveys and EIA etc. Mr Chan led the formulation and implementation of the first city-level Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) for Hong Kong to step up biodiversity conservation and support sustainable development. He is now leading the updating of BSAP and the establishment of a system of Wetland Conservation Parks under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy.
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Dr David Gallacher Dr David Gallacher is an environmental specialist with AECOM and has worked across the Asia region, primarily based in Hong Kong but also spending time in Shanghai, Delhi and Singapore. He has an academic background in ecology and environmental management and possesses experience in a wide range of project types, including environmental planning, impact assessment and monitoring, nature-based solution design, sustainable urban planning, water-sensitive urban design and ESG Reporting. David is currently the chairperson of the Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment and a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals.
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Mr Eddie Tse Eddie has more than 27 years experience in construction and environmental field and specializes in sediment and land contamination assessment and remediation, carbon/energy management, renewable energy projects and waste/asbestos management. Eddie is the vice chairman of Environment Committee, Hong Kong Construction Association and member of Climate Change Business Forum of the Business Environment Council. He was appointed as a construction advisor in development of Construction Industry Council Carbon Assessment Tool and Sustainable Finance Certification scheme. Eddie is a co-opted member of the Sustainable Development Committee, Climate Change Framework for Built Environment Embodied Carbon Expert Group member and Green Product Market Taskforce member of the Hong Kong Green Building Council. He was also appointed by BEAM Society to be member of Materials Aspects and Construction Environmental Management Expert Panels. He is a member of UK CARES Assured Steel Certification Sustainability Technical Committee. Eddie graduated in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia in Canada, and has a Master of Science (Major in Environmental Engineering) degree from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Eddie is a Fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals, Certified Carbon Auditor (Cement/Steel/Concrete) under the CIC Green Product Certification Scheme, Certified Energy Manager/Carbon Audit Professional of US Association of Energy Engineer and a Qualified Project Assessor of BREEAM Infrastructure. He is also a qualified assessor of CIC Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme and a Certified ESG Analyst CESGA® of The European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies.
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Ms Hayley Wong Certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals, Hayley is a climate risk and corporate sustainability strategist specialized in identifying, analyzing and communicating ecological, environmental, and social impacts. Drawing on her background in environmental management and communications, Hayley engages internally with cross functional teams and externally with companies of various sizes across Hong Kong and the UAE on our shared transformative journey beyond net zero towards nature positivity.
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Ms Lit Ping Low Lit Ping leads PwC’s Asia Pacific Climate Change practice and was a Senior Specialist to the World Bank’s Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Practice. She is an experienced climate and sustainability strategy, policy and finance economist with over 20 years of experience providing advisory services to public and private sector clients on climate change, environmental and social issues and green finance. She has a track record of collaboration with international organisations on the development of the sustainability agenda including World Economic Forum, World Bank/IFC, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and others. She has also been part of the business delegation to several UNFCCC COPs in the past years.
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