

Roundtable Workshops
Roundtable Workshops

Day 1 – Thursday 11 Sept
In partnership with


BESGO, CUHK
BESGO, a program backed by CUHK Business School, aims to educate and inspire the next generation of change-makers on how social good, social innovation, and sustainable practices can shape businesses and society’s future. With activities like training workshops, talks, and real-world projects, BESGO helps deepen students’ understanding of social needs and sustainability issues. By connecting educators, business professionals, social innovators, and future change-makers, BESGO fosters collaboration and creates shared value towards building a better future for all.
Our sustainability goals for 2025:
- Increase the awareness and understanding of social and environmental issues among students and participants by providing educational resources, workshops, and field visits.
- Foster partnerships and collaborations with local and international organizations that align with BESGO’s mission and values, and promote sustainability and social good.
- Engage and empower students to take action and create positive social and environmental impacts through BESGO’s programs and activities, and provide opportunities for them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world projects.
Our initiative in accelerating sustainable development in Hong Kong:
BESGO has organized various activities to promote social innovation, social good, and sustainable practices. In the past, we have designed and produced teaching and learning materials, conducted seminars and workshops, and facilitated visits to community and social enterprises. We also published feature articles and teaching cases, and presented at local and international conferences. These initiatives aim to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and provide opportunities for students to create real impact and foster collaboration for a better future.


Social Ventures Hong Kong
Founded in 2007, Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk) is an Impact Purpose Organisation that innovates social change by re-imagining the city. We focus on inventing and incubating pioneering sustainable business solutions to urban challenges, and partners with communities and businesses alike to design and build cross-sector partnerships towards realising our dreams for NewUrban in 2030


ULI Hong Kong
10:00 – 11:30
Supported by


Social Ventures Hong Kong
Founded in 2007, Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk) is an Impact Purpose Organisation that innovates social change by re-imagining the city. We focus on inventing and incubating pioneering sustainable business solutions to urban challenges, and partners with communities and businesses alike to design and build cross-sector partnerships towards realising our dreams for NewUrban in 2030
12:00 – 13:30
As sustainability rises to the top of the corporate agenda, companies are setting bold long-term goals—but many still struggle to align short-term actions with their ambition. Why is the transformation so difficult to operationalize?
Join ERM and WBCSD for a thought-provoking roundtable exploring insights from Catching the Wave, a global dialogue with over 130 business leaders and sustainability experts. The discussion will unpack the internal and external barriers companies face and introduce a practical framework to unlock value, accelerate action, and future-proof business strategies.
Together, we’ll explore how organizations can shift mindsets, overcome inertia, and embrace disruption—emerging not just more sustainable, but more competitive.
Learnings
– Understand the “multiple truths” of sustainability: Learn why companies must hold space for both risk and opportunity, and how embracing this duality can drive more effective strategy and innovation.
– Identify internal blockers to progress: Gain insight into the most common internal barriers—short-termism, cost-first mindsets, and skills gaps—and how leading companies are overcoming them.
– Draw parallels with past transformations: Discover how lessons from the digital revolution can be applied to accelerate sustainability integration across operations, products, and value chains.
– Explore a practical transformation framework: Get introduced to a tested framework developed through global business input that helps companies align sustainability with commercial success and resilience.
– Learn from real-world examples: Hear how companies are using the framework to guide strategic decisions, improve supplier collaboration, and turn sustainability ambition into measurable business impact.
Post-Event Actions
– Reflect on internal barriers within your organization that may be slowing sustainability integration and identify opportunities to address them head-on.
– Share key takeaways from the session with leadership and cross-functional teams to spark dialogue around accelerating your company’s sustainability transformation.
– Apply the sustainability transformation framework introduced during the session to evaluate your current strategies and uncover new areas for value creation.
– Initiate cross-functional conversations on embedding sustainability into core business decisions—from operations to product development and marketing.
– Explore partnerships or peer learning opportunities with other delegates or organizations to collaboratively address shared challenges and external barriers.
With thanks to


ERM
Booth N30
ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, deploying a unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. This approach helps clients to accelerate the integration of sustainability at every level of their business.
With more than 50 years of experience, ERM’s diverse team of 8,000 experts in 40 countries and territories helps clients create innovative solutions to their sustainability challenges, unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.
Our sustainability goals for 2025:
- People: Improve learning effectiveness, achieve DEIB targets, maintain high employee engagement, and grow the workforce to enhance social impact.
- Digital Innovation: Advance digital enablement of core services and ensure no breaches of privacy regulations
- Climate, Nature & Social Challenges: Increase sales for low-carbon transition by 20%, stay on track with SBTi targets, and implement updated decarbonization and social programs.
- Impact & Influence: Contribute 1% of prior year profits to sustainability initiatives and publish an initial Impact Report.
- Governance & Accountability: Strengthen ESG oversight with quarterly Board reporting, ensure 100% completion of Contribution Statements, and implement a refreshed risk management approach.
Solutions Showcase:
- Carbon Management/Carbon Offset
- ESG Reporting/Consultancy
- Green Finance & Investments
- Sustainability Services
Legal Name: ERM-Hong Kong Limited
General Enquiry Email Address: post.hk@erm.com
General Enquiry Phone Number: 22713000
General Business Address: Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 18 Tak Fung Street, Room 2509, 25/F, One Harbourfront, Hong Kong
14:00 – 15:30
As buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the choice of construction materials plays a crucial role in decarbonization. This interactive roundtable explores how real estate developers can transform their procurement processes to increase the adoption of low-carbon steel and concrete in new buildings. Participants will examine shared challenges and opportunities in material procurement procedures based on successful implementations. The session will feature innovative approaches to circular steel and concrete sourcing as case studies in rethinking traditional procurement approaches. Through facilitated discussions, participants will develop practical frameworks for implementing low-carbon materials while managing cost implications and supplier engagement. This session is particularly relevant for procurement teams, sustainability professionals, and project managers looking to accelerate their low-carbon transition.
Learnings
How to establish procurement protocols that work for both steel and concrete sourcing, focusing on early-stage goal-setting, planning and supplier engagement.
Strategies for building cross-departmental consensus and managing cost implications of low-carbon materials.
Best practices for setting clear and common technical specifications and verification procedures to enable informed decisions on material selection.
Practical approaches to expand the supplier base for low-carbon materials in Hong Kong.
Post-Event Actions
Identify specific development projects suitable for piloting reduced embodied carbon goals for steel and concrete
Establish a timeline for implementing low-carbon material procurement in identified pilot projects
Connect and expand existing supplier databases from industry platforms to improve information accessibility
Form working groups to develop standardized technical specifications and verification procedures
Supported by


Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is an international, membership-based nonprofit research and education organisation. Founded in 1936, the Institute now has over 48,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service.
Our sustainability goals for 2025:
- ULI’s sustainability initiatives in the Asia Pacific are designed for driven real estate leaders committed to shaping the industry’s future.
- Our comprehensive programmes and initiatives empower you to actively drive positive change.
- Joining our community provides connections with global industry leaders, access to the latest resources and toolkits, and exposure to transformative real estate projects
General Enquiry Email Address: asiapacific@uli.org
General Enquiry Phone Number: 2886 1620
16:00 – 17:30
The session will begin with a welcome on “From Business to Purpose: The Evolving Role of Leaders in Driving Social and Environmental Impact.” This will be followed by three roundtables: 1) Discussing leadership qualities for sustainability, 2) Exploring changes needed in leadership development, and 3) Identifying actions to support future leaders. Each roundtable will include a ~1-minute summary report. The session will conclude with post-event follow-up plans and networking opportunities.
Learnings
➢ Identify the global challenges and opportunities driving the need for sustainable,
socially responsible leadership.
➢ Explore the values, mindsets, and competencies essential for developing purposedriven leaders to create business and societal impact.
➢ Co-create strategies to transform leadership education and organisational practices
for a more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable future.
Post-Event Actions
➢ Explore collaboration or follow-up engagement opportunities.
➢ Support the publication of a session summary or insight report.
➢ Share key takeaways with your teams, students, or networks to broaden the impact
of the discussion.
Supported by


BESGO, CUHK
BESGO, a program backed by CUHK Business School, aims to educate and inspire the next generation of change-makers on how social good, social innovation, and sustainable practices can shape businesses and society’s future. With activities like training workshops, talks, and real-world projects, BESGO helps deepen students’ understanding of social needs and sustainability issues. By connecting educators, business professionals, social innovators, and future change-makers, BESGO fosters collaboration and creates shared value towards building a better future for all.
Our sustainability goals for 2025:
- Increase the awareness and understanding of social and environmental issues among students and participants by providing educational resources, workshops, and field visits.
- Foster partnerships and collaborations with local and international organizations that align with BESGO’s mission and values, and promote sustainability and social good.
- Engage and empower students to take action and create positive social and environmental impacts through BESGO’s programs and activities, and provide opportunities for them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world projects.
Our initiative in accelerating sustainable development in Hong Kong:
BESGO has organized various activities to promote social innovation, social good, and sustainable practices. In the past, we have designed and produced teaching and learning materials, conducted seminars and workshops, and facilitated visits to community and social enterprises. We also published feature articles and teaching cases, and presented at local and international conferences. These initiatives aim to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and provide opportunities for students to create real impact and foster collaboration for a better future.
Day 2 – Friday 12 Sept
In partnership with


Accounting for Sustainability


Foundation for Shared Impact Limited
Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI) is built on the philosophy of “shared impact”. We believe when different groups come together, collectively we can achieve a greater social impact than by working separately. We envision a future where everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential, drive collective social impact and enable society to change for all
Our sustainability goals for 2025:
– Build leadership capacity across sectors through experiential learning and effective training
– Uplift disadvantaged communities through broad cross-sector collaboration
– Enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion through bespoke support to entrepreneurs and our community partners


Friends of the Earth (HK)
Friends of the Earth (HK) (“FoE (HK)”) is a leading environmental advocate that actively engages with the government, businesses, and the community to foster equitable and sustainable policymaking, business practices, and community lifestyles in protection of the local and regional environment.
Our organisation’s sustainability goals for 2025:
We are dedicated to promoting green finance and cultivating ESG talents. By partnering closely with government and research institutes, professional bodies, SME associations, and international organisations, we strive to build a sustainable society and environment for all.
Products, Services & Solutions
- Charity/NGO
- Education/Training/Certification
- Green Finance & Investments
- Sustainability Services
Meet our speakers:
07:00 – 09:00
The sustainable transition is increasingly being seen as a strategic imperative. Failure to respond to sustainability-related risks and benefit from opportunities can have financial implications and threaten the long-term resilience of an organization.
As stewards of financial performance and corporate strategy, CFOs are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in integrating sustainability into core business decisions and ensure long-term value preservation and creation. This may involve managing risks, allocating resources, and ensuring all relevant information is available to internal decision makers, investors, and other capital providers.
In this session we will deep dive into the role you can play in the sustainable transition, the challenges faced by CFOs in embedding sustainability into strategy and decision-making and how these challenges can be overcome.
Supported by


Accounting for Sustainability
10:00 – 11:30
This roundtable workshop zooms in on one of the key catalysts for accelerated actions in sustainability: SMEs (small-and-medium enterprises).
Accounting for more than 98% of the total number of enterprises and over 44% of total employment in Hong Kong as well as a large portion of economies all over the world, SMEs’ transition towards sustainability will drive a sea change and accelerate the advancement of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
SMEs (and all companies) incorporating sustainability in their business operations can build strong competitive advantages, land partnerships with corporations with robust sustainability programs, and benefit from operational cost savings over time. Moreover, since SMEs are prevalent in global supply chains, more SMEs integrating sustainability measures in their business operations means increased sustainability in the supply chains for corporations worldwide. However, at times of slow economic growth, SMEs often struggle to secure the necessary resources to integrate sustainability in their business operations.
In this roundtable workshop, we invite industry leaders and subject experts to delve into the challenges facing SMEs when implementing sustainability initiatives and the solutions that can help SMEs stay informed, agile, and proactive in accelerating such endeavors. Participants will gain a better understanding of the tools and resources available to integrate meaningful sustainability initiatives in business operations to accelerate sustainable development throughout the business ecosystem.
Learnings
– Challenges and solutions related to SMEs’ sustainability strategy and actions
– Tools and resources available to integrate and communicate meaningful sustainability initiatives in business operations
– Actionable ideas to incorporate sustainability into business settings
Post-Event Actions
– Effective integration and communication of meaningful sustainability initiatives in business operations
– Broad cross-sector collaboration to accelerate sustainability initiatives
Supported by


Foundation for Shared Impact Limited
Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI) is built on the philosophy of “shared impact”. We believe when different groups come together, collectively we can achieve a greater social impact than by working separately. We envision a future where everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential, drive collective social impact and enable society to change for all
Our sustainability goals for 2025:
– Build leadership capacity across sectors through experiential learning and effective training
– Uplift disadvantaged communities through broad cross-sector collaboration
– Enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion through bespoke support to entrepreneurs and our community partners
12:30 – 14:15
As Hong Kong accelerates its sustainability transformation, a critical need has emerged to develop and enhance specialised skills across the workforce. This timely roundtable brings together sustainability learners, corporate leaders, and educators to address the urgent challenge of building sustainability capacity across sectors.
Participants will engage in focused discussions examining how sustainability learning journeys intersect with industry needs in Hong Kong’s unique context. Through structured dialogue between professionals pursuing sustainability education, organisations implementing sustainability initiatives, and institutions delivering education, this session aims to generate actionable insights for all stakeholders.
The roundtable features a dynamic format of expert presentations followed by facilitated table discussions, ensuring diverse perspectives are heard and innovative solutions are captured.
Learnings
– Understand evolving sustainability skill requirements from multiple perspectives
– Identify key gaps in current capacity building approaches
– Discover emerging best practices in sustainability education and professional development
– Build connections across the sustainability talent ecosystem
Post-Event Actions
– Apply insights to enhance sustainability training and education programs
– Develop collaborative approaches to address identified skills gaps
– Connect with potential partners for sustainability capacity building initiatives
– Implement specific strategies to advance sustainability skills within your organisation
Supported by


Friends of the Earth (HK)
Friends of the Earth (HK) (“FoE (HK)”) is a leading environmental advocate that actively engages with the government, businesses, and the community to foster equitable and sustainable policymaking, business practices, and community lifestyles in protection of the local and regional environment.
Our organisation’s sustainability goals for 2025:
We are dedicated to promoting green finance and cultivating ESG talents. By partnering closely with government and research institutes, professional bodies, SME associations, and international organisations, we strive to build a sustainable society and environment for all.
Products, Services & Solutions
- Charity/NGO
- Education/Training/Certification
- Green Finance & Investments
- Sustainability Services
Meet our speakers:
All sessions are subject to change.