Beyond Green: Unlocking the Potentials of Existing Buildings

11 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 13:45 – 15:15

Full Programme
Workshop B

Hong Kong’s ageing building stock presents both a challenge and a transformative opportunity. With over 42,000 existing buildings and 14,000 projected to be over 50 years old by 2030, the urgency to retrofit and certify these assets is growing by the year. Green building certifications such as BEAM Plus Existing Buildings hold significant potential to deliver greater value, particularly in the commercial sector.

This interactive workshop will explore how green existing buildings offer value far beyond sustainability—from enhanced asset valuation and ESG recognition to operational savings and tenant retention. Participants will engage in a dynamic session that blends stakeholder insights, valuation trends, and real-world strategies to uncover the hidden potential of Hong Kong’s built environment.

Duration: 75 mins (Session commences at 14:00)

Learnings

  •  Understand the barriers and misconceptions on the adoption of BEAM Plus Existing Buildings.
  • Discover the untapped benefits of green building certification, including rental premiums and ESG-linked financing.
  • Hear from industry stakeholders on strategies to overcome challenges such as multi-ownership and cost hurdles.
  •  Explore how Gen Z preferences and workplace trends are reshaping building value.

Post-Event Actions

  • Develop a cross-disciplinary summary capturing how various expert groups—such as architects, engineers, facility managers, and sustainability consultants—perceive the value and impact of green building practices in existing buildings.
  • Encourage event participants from diverse disciplines to extend the dialogue and explore collaborative opportunities—either with our team or fellow expert attendees—on advancing green building practices in existing buildings.

Speakers

Chak Bon Lau

Hong Kong Green Building Council

Green Building Young Leader

Mr. Bon Lau is a passionate advocate for environmental protection, deeply committed to driving meaningful change through sustainable practices. With a foundation in environmental science, his deep appreciation for nature and determination to tackle pressing environmental challenges inspired him to transition into the built environment as a green building professional.

Bon is a certified LEED AP, CEM, and MCIWEM. He specializes in sustainability consulting and green building certification, working closely with building owners to optimize building design and operation performance as well as secure highly regarded ratings.

As an emerging leader in the field, Bon is also recognized as a Green Building Young Leader, reflecting his dedication to advancing sustainability within the built environment.

Speaking at:

Day 1

Beyond Green: Unlocking the Potentials of Existing Buildings

Mick Tse

Hong Kong Green Building Council

Green Building Young Leader

Ir Mick Tse is the Green Building Young Leader at the Hong Kong Green Building Council. He has participated in numerous public-facing sustainability events, including Green Building Weeks, Green Transport X Building Tours, and Industry Interviews, and has hosted guided tours at landmark sites such as Swire Coca-Cola HK.

Mick is a member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. He also holds credentials as a CESGA, BEAM Pro, WELL AP, and RCx Professional. As a green building expert, he has experience spanning planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance, as well as sustainability.

Currently a seasoned Senior Engineer at Hongkong Land, Mick has played a key role in securing triple platinum certifications—BEAM Plus Platinum, LEED Platinum, and WELL Platinum—across the company’s commercial portfolio in Hong Kong. He is instrumental in advancing sustainability initiatives and has led or contributed to award-winning projects recognized by various institutions. Mick is also a key contributor to sustainability reporting, decarbonization, circularity, biodiversity, and stakeholder engagement.

Speaking at:

Day 1

Beyond Green: Unlocking the Potentials of Existing Buildings

Kathy Wong

Hong Kong Green Building Council

Green Building Young Leader

Kathy is a sustainability professional and the Green Building Young Leader at HKGBC, based at Buro Happold’s Hong Kong office, where she champions decarbonization and net-zero goals. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng MCIBSE), LEED AP, SITES AP, and WELL AP, trained in Hong Kong and the UK, she blends global best practices with local expertise to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions. With a mechanical engineering background, Kathy drives holistic strategies that enhance environmental performance across projects spanning Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainable design to minimize carbon footprints.

A dedicated advocate for gender diversity, Kathy promotes female empowerment in engineering, earning the Young Women in ASHRAE EmpowHERment Award at the 1st ASHRAE Women in Engineering Leadership Symposium. Through professional community engagement, she shares insights on sustainability and inclusive career paths, inspiring others. Her collaborative approach, technical expertise, and commitment to transformative change position her as a leading voice in sustainability, fostering impactful environmental and social outcomes.

Speaking at:

Day 1

Beyond Green: Unlocking the Potentials of Existing Buildings

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