BEC Business Transformation Theatre
Opening Welcome: Zero Waste in Action: Rethinking Retail
Day 2 : 10:30 – 10:45
The pandemic has brought on unforeseen changes in the retail industry. In the past three years we have seen changes in consumer behaviour, where they have become increasingly demanding with the ease of purchasing while at the same time preferring to interact with brands that care for people and the environment. This programme looks to advance circular economy discussion in the retail industry, discuss how each segment minimises waste, keep materials and products in circulation along their business models.
Speakers
Merlin Lao
Head – Policy and Research
Business Environment Council
Merlin Lao
Business Environment Council
Head – Policy and Research
Mr. Merlin Lao is the Head – Policy & Research at Building Environment Council Limited (BEC). He is leading a team to share clear policy positions on pressing climate and environmental topics in Hong Kong, through research on latest domestic and international trends, engaging with the Hong Kong SAR Government and connecting insights of the local business sector. He is keen on net-zero transition that not only looks at decarbonisation, but also a more equal and liveable built environment.
Mr. Lao is a programme management professional with 15 years of climate change and environment career experience across private, public and non-profit sectors in East Asia, with major exposure in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and South Korea. Prior to joining BEC, he was the senior programme manager at an international non-governmental organisation driving sustainable cities agenda in China, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea, covering topics of air quality, low-emission development, urban resilience, circular economy and nature-based solutions. He also led the environmental protection planning at the Macao Environmental Protection Bureau and worked in a technical consultancy dedicated in carbon accounting and management in his earlier career.
My Sustainability Goal for 2025:
Hoping to see deeper work for various business sectors to look into decarbonisation roadmaps, in connection with abatement curves, economic transition and opportunities.
Samuel Lee
Managing Director, Watsons Hong Kong, Chairman, Sustainability Task Force, HKRMA
Samuel Lee
Managing Director, Watsons Hong Kong, Chairman, Sustainability Task Force, HKRMA
Mr. Samuel Lee joined A.S. Watson Group since 2006 and was subsequently appointed as Managing Director of Watsons Hong Kong in 2019 to lead the team to take the business forward in the fast track of retail. He will continue to redefine the new connected O+O (Offline plus Online) customer journey and drive the acceleration of digital transformation by demonstrating strong team culture of delivering results of data led decisions making and agile execution, putting a smile on customers’ faces.
My Sustainability Goals for 2023:
Watsons commits in sustainability development in achieving its social purpose of “Look Good. Do Good. Feel Great.” and driving O+O (Offline plus Online) sustainability progress under Group’s Greener Stores Global Framework and Watsons’ 2030 Sustainability Targets.
Supported by
Business Environment Council
Booth BEC6
Business Environment Council Limited (BEC) is an independent, charitable corporate membership organisation, established by the business sector in Hong Kong.
Since its establishment in 1992, BEC has been at the forefront of promoting environmental excellence by advocating the uptake of clean technologies and practices which reduce waste, conserve resources, prevent pollution and improve corporate environmental and social responsibility.
BEC offers sustainable solutions and professional services covering advisory, research, assessment, training and award programmes for government, business and the community, thus enabling environmental protection and contributing to the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
Meet our speakers:
Cody Leong
Senior Officer – Policy & Research
Business Environment Council
Suki Han
Assistant Manager – Policy & Research
Business Environment Council
Kevin O’Brien
Chairman
Business Environment Council
Merlin Lao
Head – Policy and Research
Business Environment Council
Simon Ng
Chief Executive Officer
Business Environment Council
Hong Kong Retail Management Association
The Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA) was founded in 1983 by a group of visionary retailers with a long-term mission to promote Hong Kong’s retail industry and to present a unified voice on issues that affect all retailers.
HKRMA has been playing a vital role in representing the trade, and raising the status and professionalism of retailing through awards, education and training.