As Hong Kong faces pressing challenges ranging from environmental pollution to resource depletion, businesses are recognising the urgent need to adopt modern, sustainable practices across their production and operational methods. With industries navigating unique trends and challenges, the demand for innovative solutions has never been greater. At the heart of this transformation is the global shift toward net-zero emissions, driving businesses to cultivate a more environmentally conscious and resilient community. Beyond environmental efforts, Hong Kong’s business sector is also extending its impact through social initiatives, addressing the needs of broader stakeholders and communities.

In an era defined by geopolitical uncertainties and rapid technological advancements, the ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape is imperative. This session brings together industry leaders to explore how businesses in Hong Kong are leveraging innovation to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and drive sustainable growth. From cutting-edge technologies to strategic partnerships, panellists will share insights on how companies are redefining their roles in a dynamic global economy. Join us to discover how Hong Kong’s business sector is pioneering change and setting new benchmarks for sustainability, resilience, and innovation.

Learnings

1. What are the growing trends and regulations that different industries are currently undergoing and how will they impact businesses?
2. What are the strengths and limitations of revolutionary changes and methods that modern businesses have begun to adapt?
3. How can businesses in Hong Kong balance innovation with sustainability to address pressing environmental and social challenges?

4. What role do technology and collaboration play in driving the transition to net-zero emissions and sustainable practices?
5. How can companies adapt to geopolitical and technological shifts while maintaining a competitive edge and creating positive societal impact?

Post-event Actions

1. Acquire knowledge about the carbon reduction strategies of top organizations and collaborative solutions across industries.
2. Rethink the priorities your company and sector should emphasize in both the short and long term to create a significant impact necessary to tackle persistent climate challenges.
3. Recognize the compelling reasons for business leaders to collaborate and drive the transformation of all industry sectors toward achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.

4. Evaluate your organization’s current practices and identify areas where sustainable innovations can be integrated into operations.

This session will explore the dual challenges and opportunities of carbon markets in Hong Kong, particularly in the wake of industry that has questioned their effectiveness and integrity. While carbon markets offer a mechanism for industries to offset emissions, they have sometimes been criticised for enabling greenwashing or allowing businesses to avoid making real, impactful changes.

This panel session will address these concerns and propose ways to improve and synchronise carbon markets to ensure they complement, rather than replace, genuine emission reduction efforts. By aligning carbon trading with robust regulatory frameworks and transparent reporting, we can enhance their credibility and effectiveness. Our panellists will also explore the importance of integrating carbon markets into a broader strategy that prioritises reducing emissions at the source, ensuring they serve as a tool for accelerating climate action rather than a loophole.

Learnings

1. How can businesses adopt a proactive approach to sustainability, embedding emission reduction practices into core operations?
2. What is a balanced approach that combines carbon trading with direct emission reductions?

Post-event Actions

1. Advocate for greater transparency and standardisation in carbon market mechanisms.
2. Collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop best practices for aligning carbon markets with science-based emission reduction targets.
3. Support internal policies that prioritise direct emission reductions

As businesses align their ambitions with global climate goals, the concept of Just Transition becomes paramount. This session will focus on the critical intersection of corporate sustainability, equity and accountability in driving a Just Transition.

The discussion will explore the role of Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) in embedding equity and accountability into businesses practices, ensuring that companies not only reduce their environmental impact but also address social and economic disparities. Delegates will gain insights into how businesses can proactively engage with stakeholders, including workers, communities, and policymakers, to create transition plans that prioritise fairness, inclusivity and long-term resilience ensuring no one is left behind in our net zero ambitions.

Learnings

1. How can businesses ensure that their transition plans are not only environmentally sustainable but also socially equitable and inclusive?
2. What role does CSDD play in embedding accountability and fairness into corporate strategies?
3. How can companies effectively engage with stakeholders to co-curate transition plans that address the needs of vulnerable workers and communities?

Post-event Actions

1. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of your company’s operations and supply chains to identify potential social and environmental risks.
2. Develop a Just Transition framework that integrates equity and accountability into your sustainability strategy.

This session will delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of climate-related disclosure, examining policy, both locally and globally, the opportunities these present as well as the challenges they pose for businesses.

With climate disclosure requirements, mandated by HKEX, from 1^st January 2025, listed companies are already navigating a complex web of requirements both locally and overseas. This panel will also focus on the implications of the EU commission’s first Omnibus package of sustainability rules, which sets a new benchmark for transparency and accountability. Panellists will explore how these policies can drive positive change by encouraging greater corporate responsibility, while also addressing the practical challenge businesses face in compliance, such as data collection, standardisation, and alignment across regions. This session aims to provide actional insights for businesses to turn regulatory challenges into strategic opportunities, fostering trust and resilience in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.

Learnings

1. How can businesses leverage global disclosure policies to enhance transparency and build stakeholder trust?
2. What are the most significant challenges companies face in complying with local and international disclosure policies?
3. How can organisations align their sustainability reporting frameworks to meet diverse regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency?

As we approach the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this session will take a critical look at the progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the SDGs have provided a universal framework for addressing global challenges, their adoption and integration into business strategies, government policies, and community actions have been uneven.

This discussion will explore whether the SDGs are at the point of falling short of their ambitious targets or if there is still an opportunity to catalyse meaningful impact. Panellists will examine the barriers to effective implementation, such as lack of alignment, insufficient funding, and limited accountability, while also highlighting success stories and innovative approaches that demonstrate the potential for accelerated progress.

Learnings

1. What are the key barriers preventing widespread adoption and integration of the SDGs, and how can they be overcome?
2. How can businesses, governments, and civil society work together to accelerate progress toward the SDGs in the remaining years?
3. What innovative approaches or success stories demonstrate the potential for catalysing meaningful impact under the SDG framework?

Post-Event Actions:

1. Conduct an internal review of your organization’s alignment with the SDGs and identify areas for stronger integration.
2. Collaborate with stakeholders—such as NGOs, governments, and communities—to co-create initiatives that address specific SDG targets.
3. Advocate for increased accountability by publicly reporting on your organization’s contributions to the SDGs and progress toward measurable outcomes.

This panel session explores the transformative potential of green technology in addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. As the urgency to combat climate change intensifies, innovation in green technology is emerging as a critical driver of sustainable development. The discussion will delve into cutting-edge advancements in areas such as renewable energy, carbon capture, circular economy solutions, and smart infrastructure, while also examining the barriers to scaling these technologies. Panellists will share insights on how businesses, governments, and research institutions can collaborate to accelerate the development and deployment of green technologies. The session will also address the role of policy, investment, and consumer behaviour in shaping the future of this dynamic sector. By highlighting both opportunities and challenges, this panel aims to inspire actionable strategies for harnessing innovation to build a more sustainable and resilient future.

Learnings:

1. What are the most promising green technologies on the horizon, and how can they be scaled to achieve widespread impact?
2. What role do collaboration and partnerships play in accelerating innovation and adoption of green technologies?
3. How can policy frameworks and investment strategies be designed to support the growth and accessibility of green technology solutions?

Post-Event Actions:

1. Identify and evaluate emerging green technologies that align with your organization’s sustainability goals and operational needs.
2. Explore partnerships with startups, research institutions, or industry leaders to pilot or scale innovative green solutions.

In this thought-provoking final session of ReThink HK, two teams of experts will go head-to-head to debate the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving sustainable business practices. Arguing in favour of the motion, the proposition will highlight how AI enables businesses to optimize resource efficiency, reduce waste, and accelerate the transition to net-zero operations through data-driven insights, predictive analytics, and automation. They will showcase real-world examples of AI-powered innovations in energy management, supply chain transparency, and circular economy solutions.

On the opposing side, the opposition will challenge the notion that AI is the most impactful tool, arguing that systemic change, policy frameworks, and human-driven initiatives remain the cornerstone of sustainability strategies. They will also address concerns around AI’s environmental footprint, ethical implications, and accessibility barriers.

Moderated by a leading sustainability thought leader, this dynamic debate will explore the opportunities, limitations, and future of AI in shaping a sustainable economy, leaving the audience with actionable insights and a deeper understanding of this critical issue.