Key Visual for Net Zero and Nature Positive Theatre
HONG KONG’S BEST ATTENDED AND MOST AMBITIOUS BUSINESS EVENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT #OnlyWayForward
Key Visual for Net Zero and Nature Positive Theatre

Day 1 – Thursday 12 Sept

10:15 – 11:30

Overcoming the 3 myths of social impact measurement

10:15 – 11:30

Myth 1: Impact is hard to see and hard to measure

Truth: Measurement should capture what change is visible tomorrow, for who, and why it matters.

Myth 2: Companies who prioritize impact aren’t profitable

Truth: Designing for social impact outcomes unlock shared stakeholder value

Myth 3: Impact reports provide a well-documented and comprehensive account of a company’s impact

Learnings

1. Why social impact measurement is hard to measure – no universal set of metrics or indicators that can adequately capture the diverse range of social impacts across different sectors and domains.
– Introduce key frameworks for developing appropriate, context-specific metrics depending on the intended outcome.

2. Social impact should no longer be viewed as a discretionary “nice-to-have” or solely the domain of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Rather, it needs to be central to an organization’s core strategy and operations.
– Provide evidence based research and case studies that demonstrate how social impact can increase business valuation and attract more interest from investors to drive business success.
– How to leverage the possibilities at the intersection of organizational goals and positive impact. This approach could even surface new areas for intentional growth, collaboration, and scale. Examples of best practices of working with NGOs/social enterprises will be shared and discussed.

3. Impact reports often only highlight their most successful initiatives while downplaying or not disclosing less favorable outcomes.
– How acknowledging a company’s ESG challenges or limitations can actually be better for business as transparency and accountability as consumers become much more environmentally AND socially conscious in the goods and services they buy.

Post-Event Actions

Delegates will be encouraged to try out different impact measurement frameworks, including the B Impact Assessment for their whole business, and OECD DAC criteria as part of their social impact strategy.

Post event the delegates will be provided with the 5 Guiding Principles for collaboration between businesses and charities for greater impact and encouraged to share the “Bake A Difference” video with their team.

Speakers

Pia Wong

Purpose Impact Action Ltd.

Founder and Chief Impact Officer

Pia Wong, a social impact leader with 25+ years of experience, specializes in stakeholder engagement and measuring, improving, and communicating organizational impact. Pia’s passion in impact measurement stems from her 12-year tenure as Executive Director at Bring Me A Book Hong Kong, and her corporate communications experience at Weber Shandwick and Synovate.

As the Founder of Purpose Impact Action Ltd., Pia helps businesses, NGOs and social enterprises evaluate the effectiveness of their work, strengthen governance and operations, using globally recognized impact standards. Pia also advises on social impact strategies, and helps companies mitigate greenwashing through improvement tools such as the B Impact Assessment.

To address systemic challenges in the NGO sector in HK during the height of the pandemic, Pia co-founded Voice for Social Good, ensuring partnerships between nonprofits and funders are based on trust and deliver on impact.

In 2020, as part of her work for Voice for Social Good, Pia was recognized as 2020 AmCham Women of Influence nominee for “Global Issues, Local Heroes, Women Taking the Lead.”
More recently, Voice for Social Good was a 2024 finalist for the Shared Value Initiative Award for Bravery.

Pia has a BA (Hons) from University College London and received a scholarship to attend Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education program on Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. Pia has also successfully obtained the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership’s (CISL)’s Business Sustainability Management Certificate and Impact Measurement and Management for the SDGs certificate from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme SDG Impact.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

I hope to see more businesses in Hong Kong partner with NGOs strategically to address many of the social issues in Hong Kong.

NGOs, with the support and guidance from their board members, invest more time and resources into impact measurement for better due diligence. I truly believe this will elevate trust between funders and NGOs, which in turn will increase operational funding (eg. staff salaries, capacity building) for the NGO’s long-term sustainability and impact.

12:00 – 13:15

Digital Twins for the Built Environment

12:00 – 13:15

Digital Twins are the key to decarbonizing the built environment. Responding and behaving like its real-world counterpart to provide detailed insights across a range of building performance metrics and empowering informed decisions on how to reduce energy, lower costs and work towards net-zero goals. In this session we will hear from experts in the industry on the topic where they will share knowledge on the subject as well as showcase work/projects done in the field.

Learnings

  • How accurate are digital twins?
  • What are the benefits of digital twins?
  • What is the typical ROI for digital twins?
  • How can one mitigate risks for a net zero roadmap or decarbonization plan by using digital twins?

Post-Event Actions

  • Engage with speakers for further information on digital twins
  • Sign-up for training on digital twin technology
  • Take up trials on technology for developing digital twins
  • Connect with speakers for consulting opportunities

Speakers

Rohan Rawte

IESVE Singapore Pte Ltd.

Managing Director

Rohan has been involved in the Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) industry for more than 20 years. Initially specializing in the use of digital twins for avoiding failure, extending life/warranty, and optimizing cost in the mechanical and automotive industries, Rohan transitioned from the mechanical industry to the built environment when he joined IES in 2010. Rohan now manages multiple divisions for IES across the Middle East, India and Asia. Based in Singapore, he is currently focused on developing the company’s regional HQ in Asia, drawing on his experience in facing new markets, supporting the development and sale of new products, developing global and local partnerships and fostering multi-disciplinary global teams to drive results.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

  • Increase impact by deploying more technology in HK to new customers which will then reduce more CO2 emissions from buildings
  • Work on at least 4 projects in HK with partners or directly that are linked to CO2 emission reduction
  • Increase awareness on usage of such technology for CO2 emissions reduction in HK universities

16:00 – 17:15

Integrating ESG Strategy for Sustainable Living, Mobility, and Circular Economy through Waste Management and Energy Savings

16:00 – 17:15

The is workshop will explore the transition to green packaging through a sustainability lens, focusing on the principles and practices that guide companies towards eco-friendly alternatives. This segment will highlight the benchmarks for success and the strategic shifts necessary for reducing carbon footprints in packaging. Emphasizing the role these practices play in meeting ESG objectives and driving forward a circular economy.

In addition, it will delve into the future of mobility, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and innovative services revolutionizing the industry. Attendees will discover how the latest technological advancements are being leveraged to create sustainable transportation systems for the future, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Learnings

  • How transform to green packaging and minimize waste generation?
  • How the latest technology applied in the mobility industry will achieve sustainable transportation for the future?

With thanks to

Day 2 – Friday 13 Sept

10:15 – 11:30

The Foundation of ISSB – Uncovering the Climate Risk Conundrum

10:15 – 11:30

This workshop will provide an introduction to ISSB’s IFRS S2, focusing on climate-relatedd isclosures in an interactive scenario-based game. With ISSB reporting becoming compulsory
in Hong Kong as of 2025 to 2026, this workshop will provide participants with a step-by-step breakdown of the basic IFRS S2 reporting requirements, allowing for better understanding of the implementation of climate risk mitigation across various levels within a company. Each player represents a different part of a vertically integrated business, with a range of angles and
perspectives to cultivate, implement and manage solutions for climate risk mitigation.

Learnings

  1. Give participants foundational knowledge regarding IFRS S2, TCFD and climate risk.
  2. Showcase the significance of physical and transitional climate risk, and encourage participants to apply themselves and their businesses within its context.
  3. Facilitate participants in applying an analytical mindset for problem solving related to climate risk.
  4. Promote collaborative problem solving between participants, fostering exchange of ideas and experiences.

Post-Event Actions

  1. Gain understanding of the governance, strategic, risk management and metric requirements of IFRS S2 reporting standards in Hong Kong, emphasizing the significance of holistic integration of sustainability in corporations.
  2. Importance of incorporating views of various stakeholders across the organization, through increased data transparency, for good internal governance and improved resilience towards climate risk.
  3. Understanding the necessity for ESG analysis and planning for businesses to adapt to the climate crisis

13:45 – 15:00

Organisational Purpose x Sustainability Business Growth Workshop

13:45 – 15:00

Business-as-usual is not sustainable. Prioritising profit at all costs neglects the essential balance between economic success, environmental stewardship, and social equity needed to create long-term shared value. Achieving this balance is key to future-proofing business.
The Purpose x Sustainability Business Growth Workshop, presented by The Purpose Business (TPB), will explore how embracing purpose-led growth can redefine a future where business success and sustainable development are inextricably linked.

Learnings

Through a blend of thought-provoking discussions, expert insights and practical workshopping, this session is designed to inspire and empower corporates to redefine their paths towards a future where business success and sustainability are inextricably linked. We will:

  • Discuss the inherent connection between organisational purpose and sustainability
  • Present the business case for a purpose-driven approach, illustrating how it can foster resilience, innovation and competitive advantage.
  • Provide actionable insights on identifying your company’s organisational purpose and how to embed and activate purpose to drive meaningful change and achieve your sustainability objectives.

Post-event Actions

  • Feel energised and equipped to lead purposeful change with your organisation
  • Understand the principles of business success driven by Purpose

Speakers

Outi Grüner

The Purpose Business

Head of Market Development and Sustainability Advisor

Outi is a sustainability strategist focused on driving action towards impact and has spent over 14 years in (Southeast) Asia facilitating socially, economically and environmentally transformative business solutions.

She has an extensive background spearheading purpose-driven programmes for multinational corporations, government agencies and social investors in areas of strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships, ESG strategies and project development, global event coordination and in sustainability communications.

Originally from Finland, Outi identifies as a global native who is currently settled in Singapore.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

1. Leverage the cultural and historical heritage of what makes Hong Kong unique to drive more action for impact across communities
2. Businesses harnessing the power of their past and respecting the context in which they operate; discovering and articulating what they stand for to drive their growth strategy
3. Business leaders realising and activating their influence to evolve business as a force for good

All sessions are subject to change.