Net Zero & Nature Positive Theatre (Keynote)
Accelerating Decarbonisation in Hard to Abate Sectors
Day 1 : 15:40 – 16:30
This session targets the critical challenge of cutting carbon emissions in industries where such efforts are more difficult. These sectors contribute approximately 20% of global emissions and face significant hurdles due to technological, economic, or practical constraints.
We will delve into the innovative approaches and cutting-edge technologies that hold the promise of transforming these sectors. From advancements in lower-carbon energy and feedstock like green hydrogen to novel carbon capture methods, the focus will be on viable solutions that can pave the way for substantial emissions reductions.
The discussion will extend to collaborative efforts and policy frameworks that support the decarbonisation journey. By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators, we aim to foster a dialogue that accelerates the pace of change. Join us as we explore the pathways and potential for achieving meaningful decarbonisation in the sectors where it is hardest yet most crucial.
Learnings
- What are the key challenges to decarbonise the hard-to-abate sectors?
- How are companies using innovation and technology to reach their sustainability goals in these sectors?
- What collaborative efforts among industry leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators are essential?
Post-event Actions
- Leave with an understanding of how the hard-to-abate sectors are a large part of our journey to net zero and the urgency behind their decarbonisation.
- Be able to understand realistic pathways to achieve carbon neutrality in the hard-to-abate sectors.
Speakers
Moderator
Shuyi Li
Principal
RMI
Shuyi Li
RMI
Principal
Shuyi Li is a Principal of RMI China Program, and head of Industry Decarbonization Initiative, where RMI works to accelerate decarbonizing China’s heavy industries, covering steel, cement, petrochemicals & chemicals, and aluminum. She led the development of the China heavy industry sectoral transition roadmap series, as RMI China’s flagship reports and one of the earliest in the field, in close partnership with leading industry associations/institutes and recognized by many. She also heads the work on industrial use case optimization for solutions like green hydrogen, massive recycling, CCUS, etc., and the initiative to establish near-zero industrial hubs where upstream energy/feedstock supply, midstream infrastructure, industrial offtakers, and their downstream users are brought together to help achieve tipping points, while leveraging finance and policy to enable the change. Before joining RMI, Shuyi has years of experience advising governments in industrial energy efficiency and low-carbon development. She also served as an expert fellow and mentor for EDF Climate Corps China Program, and was winner of the William K. Bowes, Jr. Award for Leadership. Currently, Shuyi is a mentor for Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), and external expert for a global leading company in energy management and automation.
Johnson Gui (桂志军)
Co-Founder and SVP
Shanghai E-Carbon Digital Technology Co., Ltd.
Johnson Gui (桂志军)
Shanghai E-Carbon Digital Technology Co., Ltd.
Co-Founder and SVP
Co-founder and Senior Vice President at E-C DIGITAL、Chief Designer of the JimuLCA TooL, Johnson Gui is a member of the Expert Committee for the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Platforms in both the steel and battery industries. He also serves as Deputy Director of the China Industrial Internet Steel Dual-Carbon Innovation Laboratory and is a technical expert for the United Nations Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI).
Previously, he was an LCA expert at ArcelorMittal in France, a researcher at China Baowu Group, and a core team member at the Institute of Resource and Environmental Research. He has also worked with the World Steel Association and the North American Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC).
With over a decade of experience in carbon data quantification and LCA databases, Johnson Gui has been instrumental in developing numerous industry standards.
Valerie Kwan
Director – Stewardship and Corporate Engagement
Asia Investor Group on Climate Change
Valerie Kwan
Asia Investor Group on Climate Change
Director – Stewardship and Corporate Engagement
Valerie is the director overseeing Climate Action 100+, an investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. She co-leads the Asia workstream from within Climate Action 100+, and oversees the team’s co-ordination of corporate engagement activities for Asian focus companies. This includes convening sector roundtables to support corporate transition to net zero. Valerie is part of the strategic projects working group and convenes Asia Advisory Group discussions to build investor capacity on stewardship. Outside of CA100+, she is also involved in capacity building for investors in strengthening corporate engagement outcomes through considering various tools and approaches of engagement.
Prior to joining AIGCC, she worked for two sustainability advisory firms and advised clients’ sustainability and risk management strategies. She also conducted environmental and social due diligence for private equity clients. Her career started in public affairs with a Hong Kong-based consultancy. Valerie holds a MSSc in Business and Community from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.
My Sustainability Goals for 2024:
It would be great to see Hong Kong introduce medium term goals in renewable energy development to meet its net zero goals, and better response with stronger resilience and readiness for physical risks.
Li Li
Senior Investment Manager
BASF Venture Capital
Li Li
BASF Venture Capital
Senior Investment Manager
Li Li, joined BASF Venture Capital as an senior investment manager in 2018. She is responsible for investment and portfolio management in ASIA region and based from Hong Kong. Li started her career with PwC China and provided transaction services to top investment institutes such as Warburg Pincus, TPG, Ping’an, Sequoia and MNC investors. She then started and managed corporate strategy and M&A department for Voith Group in China. Before joining BVC, Li used to work for SABIC Ventures for their Chinese investments. She graduated from Fudan University with an Economics major. Her domain of interest include digitalization, business model, and sustainability investment opportunities that makes a difference for BASF’s future!
My Sustainability Goals for 2024:
1. Better gabbage separation system (paper is currently not a separate category)
2. More sustainable power supply (how to be more independent?)
3. More sustainable water supply (how to be more independent?)
Supported by
RMI
RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030.
Our sustainability goals for 2024:
- We identify the interventions and work to scale transformative change in the global energy system to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50% by 2030.