BEC EnviroSeries Conference (17 June 2022)

Conference Background

In October 2021, the Hong Kong SAR Government announced a four-pronged decarbonisation strategy under Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 – net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport, and waste reduction – with an interim target to half Hong Kong’s carbon emissions before 2035 compared to the 2005 level in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

In recent years, BEC has witnessed greater ambition among Hong Kong business sector in driving a net-zero transition, as exemplified by the steadily growing number of BEC Low Carbon Charter signatories since its launch in 2019, with more than 100 signatories.

With the theme of “Driving Business Ambition into Action for a Net-Zero Hong Kong”, this BEC EnviroSeries Conference aims to prepare and galvanise Hong Kong businesses to join forces in the race to net-zero carbon. The Conference will showcase the importance of setting ambition and taking early business action, discuss how innovation and partnership can bridge the gap between pledges and action, and inspire BEC members and the private sector to transform for a net-zero and sustainable Hong Kong.

Conference Content

Keynote Speakers: The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing

First Session - “The State of Climate Ambition and Action”

Participants will hear sharing and insights on the importance of business leadership to turn climate ambition into action, and will focus on climate ambition and action at the global, national and local levels, including key messages about post COP26 and Stockholm+50.

Speaker list:

• Mr Peter Bakker, World Business Council For Sustainable Development

• Mr Ken O’Flaherty, UK Government’s #COP26 Regional Ambassador to Asia-Pacific and South Asia

• Mr Per Augustsson, Consulate General of Sweden in Hong Kong

• Mrs Tamsin Heath, British Consulate-General Hong Kong

• Mr Torbjörn Magnusson, Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong

• Mr Joe Phelan, World Business Council For Sustainable Development

Moderator: Mr Simon Ng, Chief Executive Officer of Business Environment Council

Second Session - “Scaling Net-Zero Transition through Innovation and Digital Transformation”

Speakers will Speakers will focus on how innovation and digital transformation would support and scale net-zero transition in Hong Kong and the related challenges, and also identify enabling factors that facilitate a successful transition.

Speaker list:

• Mr Kelvin Li, Schneider Electric Hong Kong

• Ms Anita Varshney, SAP

• Mr Travis Kan, CLPe Group

• Prof Davis Bookhart, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

• Mr Raymond Leung, Huawei International Co. Limited

Moderator: Ir C.F. Leung, Director – Operations of Business Environment Council

Third Session — “From Ambition to Action: Navigating Corporate Climate Journey”

Speakers will explore the approaches and best practices that support corporates to initiate and sustain climate actions towards their net-zero transition, and will share how corporates ensure their climate pledges and actions are aligned.

Speaker list:

• Mr Hendrik Rosenthal, CLP

• Mr Patrick Ho, Swire Properties Limited

• Ms Clara Chan, Lee Kee Group

• Ms Elin Wong, Modern Terminals Limited

• Mr Fengyuan Wang, H&M

Moderator: Mr Merlin Lao, Head of Policy & Research of Business Environment Council

Fourth Session - “Bridging Pledges and Action through Partnership”

Speakers will discuss how companies can effectively engage with business partners to work collectively on net-zero transition.

Speaker list:

• Mr John Haffner, Hang Lung Properties Limited

• Mr Peter Lee, Airport Authority Hong Kong

• Mr Wallace Lam, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

• Ms Ivy Lee, Leigh & Orange Limited

• Mr Roberto Giannetta, Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association

Moderator: Ms Grace Kwok, Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited