This session focuses on the crucial role of understanding biodiversity baselines in Hong Kong, highlighting insights from World Wildlife Fund (WWF)’s new biodiversity report. Participants will learn how establishing these baselines is essential for identifying key areas of concern, measuring and monitoring progress, and developing effective conservation strategies. The discussion will explore methodologies for assessing local ecosystems and the challenges faced by species and habitats. By emphasising the significance of biodiversity, this session aims to inspire collaborative action among stakeholders to protect Hong Kong’s unique natural heritage. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge to advocate for informed conservation efforts and promote sustainability in the region.

Learnings:

• Understand the significance of biodiversity baselines and their role in conservation efforts in Hong Kong
• Gain insights into the methodologies used to measure and monitor biodiversity across local ecosystems
• Identify key challenges and opportunities for protecting and enhancing Hong Kong’s unique biodiversity

Post-Event Actions:

• Encourage participants to engage in local conservation initiatives and community awareness programmes
• Advocate for informed policymaking that incorporates biodiversity assessments in urban planning and development

This fireside chat will examine into the critical interconnections between climate and nature, highlighting how biodiversity and healthy functioning ecosystems are essential to building and maintaining Hong Kong’s resilience amid intensifying extreme weather events and disruption of natural ecosystem services. The two expert speakers will focus on the pivotal role of public, private and other stakeholders in driving change and outline actionable pathways for collaboration, partnership and investment to ensure the city not only adapts to a rapidly changing climate but leverages opportunities to create a more resilient future.

Learnings:

• Gain a deeper understanding of how preserving biodiversity can bolster city-level resilience against extreme weather and physical risk
• Highlight real-world examples of nature-based solutions that can feasibly be integrated into urban planning and policy

Post-event actions:

• Advocate for action that supports biodiversity preservation and utilises nature conservation as a key element of Hong Kong’s resilience strategy
• Spark ideas for potential partnerships between Governments, businesses and NGOs to implement solutions that can address climate adaptation and biodiversity loss

Policy ambition is critical to driving action in addressing the interconnected environmental challenges we face today. In this session, we will discuss the current landscape of Hong Kong’s policy instruments and developments shaping Hong Kong’s ambition and action, such as the Climate Action Plan and Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The city’s upcoming planned mega-developments, including the Northern Metropolis and others, present a golden opportunity for Hong Kong to rethink urban planning, showcase successful policy implementation and lead as a world-class testing ground for sustainable development. Panellists including policymakers and experts will discuss urban solutions that integrate the climate-nature nexus while delivering sustainable and economic development for Hong Kong.

Learnings:

• Understand Hong Kong’s climate and nature policy landscape and the intersect of upcoming developments
• Gain insights on how integrating nature into policy can be used for effective local climate adaptation and resilience
• Share perspectives on current plans and future visions to showcase sustainable development for Hong Kong’s planned mega-developments

Post-event actions:

• Encourage stakeholder collaboration and a holistic approach to policymaking on climate and nature
• Understand how other stakeholders, such as the private sector, can be part of the conversation and drive sustainable action further

This panel will concentrate on the pivotal role of corporate climate transition strategies and sustainable finance, aiming to enhance climate resilience in Hong Kong. As businesses face increasing pressures from climate change, developing comprehensive transition plans that integrate climate considerations into their business models for effective emissions reduction and resilience building is essential. This session will highlight best practices for aligning transition strategies with evolving regulatory frameworks, which emphasises the importance of climate risk management and the integration of financial implications into decision-making processes.

Key discussions will centre on utilising scenario analysis and climate risk stress testing assess potential impacts on financial performance and resilience. By presenting actionable approaches and success stories, this session aims to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure their transition strategies are robust, financially sound, and aligned with the goal of fostering a climate-resilient future.

Learnings:

• Identify key components of corporate climate transition planning with a focus on sustainable finance integration
• Explore best practices for aligning transition strategies with regulatory frameworks, including climate risk management
• Understand how to assess climate risks and financial impacts using scenario analysis and stress testing

Post-event Actions:

• Develop actionable transition plans that incorporate sustainable finance practices to enhance climate resilience
• Utilise scenario analysis and stress testing to inform decision-making and planning for climate risk management
• Foster collaboration among financial institutions and corporates to share insights and best practices in climate transition strategies

As businesses face mounting pressure to operate sustainably, it is essential to adopt strategies that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promote the health of ecosystems. This discussion will focus on innovative approaches to sourcing, production, and distribution that enhance environmental responsibility within the value chain. Key topics will include collaboration with suppliers to implement low-carbon initiatives, sustainable land use practices, and leveraging technology to improve sustainability. Additionally, the session will explore consumer engagement and demand-side strategies as critical components of building environmentally responsible practices. By examining local challenges and successful case studies, this session aims to equip businesses with actionable insights for creating resilient and environmentally friendly value chains.

Learnings:

• Understand the principles and benefits of low carbon value chains in enhancing sustainability
• Identify effective strategies for integrating nature-based solutions into value chain practices
• Explore the importance of supplier collaboration and consumer engagement in advancing low-carbon initiatives
• Review successful case studies from local businesses implementing sustainable practices

Post-event Actions:

• Develop actionable plans to incorporate low carbon and nature-based solutions into the company’s value chain
• Foster partnerships with suppliers and local organisations to enhance collaborative sustainability efforts
• Implement strategies to engage consumers in sustainability efforts, thereby driving demand for low-carbon practices

From dense cities to rainforest coastlines, Asia holds unmatched potential for nature-based infrastructure. This session opens with case studies showing how green-grey hybrids – combining engineered and ecological elements – can be both cost-effective and biodiversity-positive. The focus: scalable designs suited to cities and landscapes across the Indo-Pacific Biodiversity Corridor, from Yunnan to Myanmar, Thailand to Indonesia. A cross-sector panel explores how to bring these projects to life through finance, policy, and partnerships that align infrastructure with nature.

Water is the invisible foundation of city life—but in Hong Kong, it’s too often taken for granted. This session opens with a sharp reality check on the city’s water security, including rising demand, high wastage rates, and growing climate risks. What will it take to protect this vital resource for future generations? A cross-sector panel of leaders from government, business, politics, and finance explores bold strategies to drive efficiency, tackle systemic leakage, and build a resilient water future for Asia’s most vertical city.

Hong Kong’s blue industry offers vast opportunities for sustainable development and economic growth. This session explores the potential of Hong Kong’s ocean resources to drive innovation, support environmental conservation, and foster a resilient economy. We will examine innovative solutions and collaborative approaches that promote long-term health and responsible use of the ocean.

In this session, we will discuss the current landscape of Hong Kong’s blue economy, including emerging trends, technologies, and policies that are shaping its future. We will also explore how different sectors can work together to address environmental challenges, enhance economic opportunities, and ensure the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems.

We will invite panelists from various sectors of Hong Kong’s blue industry to share their experiences, innovations, and visions for the future. They will discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting sustainable practices, developing new technologies, and implementing effective conservation projects in Hong Kong’s waters.

Learnings

• What are the key principles of a sustainable blue economy, and how can they be applied in Hong Kong?
• How can different sectors collaborate to support addressing environmental challenges and enhance economic opportunities in the blue economy?
• What role do innovative technologies and financing mechanisms play in supporting sustainable marine-related projects and conservation efforts?

Post-event Actions

• Join business networks or initiatives that foster ecosystem change in the blue industry, connecting with like-minded organizations to drive sustainable innovation.
• Investigate the potential of blue economy principles for your business, considering both environmental and economic benefits.
• Learn about and engage with marine conservation projects in Hong Kong to contribute to the health of local marine ecosystems and support the development of a sustainable blue economy.

Technology is a key enabler and accelerator in addressing climate and nature crises by bringing forth scalable, measurable, and cost-effective solutions. Each category of technological solutions contributes uniquely while working together to achieve systemic change.

In this session, we will delve into climate and nature technological solutions built to support decarbonization, energy transition and nature-based solutions. Climate and nature tech is an umbrella term ranges from direct air capture, renewable energy system to smart wetland management.

We will invite panelists to share their experiences with climate and nature tech from a business perspective, identifying opportunities and challenges to integrate technological solutions into business strategies, and discussing what technologies are deployed to address climate and nature-related issues that matter most to their businesses and stakeholders.

Learnings

• What is the taxonomy of climate and nature tech? Why should businesses pay attention to it?
• How does technology address climate and nature crisis? What are the social and economic benefits of deploying climate and nature tech?
• What are essential tips for convincing your board to invest in nature and climate actions or partnerships?

Post-event actions

• Understand the importance to reverse nature loss and limit global heating to 1.5C, and how climate tech and nature-based solutions address risks and opportunities for corporates.
• Explore the use of technologies for scaling, measuring or improving cost effectiveness of business actions helping realize a just transition to a net-zero, nature positive economy