BEC recently published a report “Corporate Governance for Climate Resilience: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities for Companies in Hong Kong” which discusses trends of corporate climate governance and understands the industry practices among Hong Kong companies. The report finds that listed companies in Hong Kong are demonstrating climate accountability through establishing Board-level sustainability committee, issuing Board statement on climate change/sustainability, and setting and reviewing emission reduction targets. The importance of Board awareness was further discussed, such that Board diversity, professional trainings and coordination between internal units are key to build climate resilience.
In this webinar, we are interested to explore how different stakeholders interact to enable strong climate governance and awareness. With the rise of stakeholder activism and increasing concerns towards climate change, how should companies respond and prepare for these transition risks? Join us at this webinar and listen from academics and industry experts on how climate change can be communicated within and outside the Board room.
Speakers *in order of appearance
 |
Mr Jamie Allen Jamie Allen is the founding Secretary General of Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), an independent membership association carrying out original research, advocacy and education on corporate governance in Asia since 1999. A published author, he has more than 30 years of experience writing about Asian business, finance, and economics. He is one of the main authors of Awakening Governance: The evolution of corporate governance in China and CG Watch 2020 – Future promise, the two reports published by ACGA in July 2018 and May 2021 respectively. His past public service roles include being a member of the Public Shareholders’ Group, formed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), sitting on the Listing Committee of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, and serving on the Operations Oversight Committee of the Financial Reporting Council of Hong Kong.
|
 |
Dr Margaret Burnett Margaret Burnett has 30+ years in the field of sustainability and a proven track record helping clients integrate sustainability into core organizational decision-making processes and culture. With her support, organisations have reaped the full social and commercial value of sustainability through stakeholder engagement undertaken in a mutually-supportive process. Currently, Margaret is the programme director of the taught Master of Social Sciences in Sustainability Leadership and Governance at the University of Hong Kong. With experience in business ethics and corporate social responsibility, has developed and delivered sustainability leadership training modules for a large MNC, and partnered with an international NGO to deliver sustainability leadership training. She is often a guest speaker, and partners with organizations to provide support to their in-house CSR/SD initiatives. With experience with government in Canada, NGOs both there and in HK, she develops tailor-made workshops and learning modules for organisations that wish to engage with their employees, partners and other key stakeholders to raise awareness of sustainability issues and their relevance to the business. Her experience includes performance reviews, benchmarking, strategic decision-making, identifying risks/opportunities faced by organizations. Margaret has lived in HK for 22 years and is an avid supporter of NGO and community groups, Margaret works with local NGOs to enhance their expertise and capacity to work with corporations to create value in their partnerships. She holds a BA Distinction in Economic Geography from McGill University, MA in Regional Planning and Resource Development, from Waterloo, Canada, and her PhD from CUPEM, HKU.
|
 |
Mr John Haffner Based in Hong Kong, John Haffner is General Manager - Sustainability, Hang Lung Properties Ltd., where he is responsible for formulating the Group-wide sustainability strategy and driving its execution.
|
Moderator
 |
Dr Jeanne Ng Dr Jeanne Ng is the Founding Chair of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals Limited (HKIQEP) and Director of the CLP Research Institute. Jeanne holds a BSc in Toxicology from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Environmental Management from the University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining CLP, she had accumulated a decade of consulting experience in Hong Kong’s environmental industry as one of Hong Kong’s foremost experts in air and greenhouse gas emissions inventories, including developing Hong Kong’s first greenhouse gas inventory manual for the HKSAR Government. At CLP, she was involved in starting up its Group Environmental Affairs, Group Sustainability and more recently its CLP Research Institute functions. |
Programme
|
Time |
Activity |
|
1000 – 1005 |
Welcoming Remarks Business Environment Council |
|
1005 – 1015 |
Importance of Board Governance: Insights from Asian Corporate Governance Association and the CG Watch 2020 Mr Jamie Allen, Secretary General, Asian Corporate Governance Association |
|
1015 – 1025 |
Stakeholder activism and climate change Dr Margaret Burnett, Programme Director, Masters of Social Sciences in Sustainability Leadership and Governance, Lecturer, Centre for Civil Society and Governance (HKU) |
|
1025 – 1035 |
Case sharing on corporate climate governance and communication Mr John Haffner, General Manager - Sustainability, Hang Lung Properties Ltd. |
|
1035 – 1100 |
Panel Discussion Mr Jamie Allen, Secretary General, Asian Corporate Governance Association Dr Margaret Burnett, Programme Director, Masters of Social Sciences in Sustainability Leadership and Governance, Lecturer, Centre for Civil Society and Governance (HKU) Mr John Haffner, General Manager - Sustainability, Hang Lung Properties Ltd. Dr Jeanne Ng, Chair, Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals Limited (Moderator) |
Successful registrations will be notified separately. For further information, please contact us at event@bec.org.hk or 2784 3958.
