Net Zero & Nature Positive Theatre (Keynote)
Climate Resilience and Adaptation Approach for Hong Kong Businesses
Day 2 : 14:35 – 15:25
In Hong Kong, the business sector faces acute challenges from climate emergency, necessitated by its dense urban environment and economic structure. Rising sea levels, intensifying typhoons, and escalating temperatures pose significant risks to infrastructure, supply chains, and operational viability. For businesses, resilience and adaptation are not just environmental responsibilities but strategic imperatives crucial for sustainable growth and competitiveness. Innovating towards resilience allows companies to pre-empt climate risks, ensure continuity, and tap into new opportunities presented by the sustainable economy. Thus, in the context of Hong’s Kong’s vibrant but vulnerable economic landscape, building adaptive and resilient business practices is paramount for enduring success in the face of environmental uncertainties.
Learnings:
- What steps can businesses take to mitigate climate risks like rising sea levels and extreme weather in Hong Kong?
- How can business collaborate to improve supply chain resilience against climate change?
- What kind of collaboration with government will support the business sector in overcome extreme weather event?
Post-event Actions:
- Rethink climate resilience in a more extreme setting.
- Understand what kind of collaboration and the latest implement from business and the government will help supporting the city-wide resilience discussion.
Speakers
Moderator
Laurence Delina
Assistant Professor
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Laurence Delina
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Assistant Professor
Laurence Delina, an Assistant Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, specialises in sustainable development with a focus on rapid mitigation of climate change, accelerating sustainable and just energy transitions, and adaptation and resilience of vulnerable populations to climate extremes. He has authored over fifty peer-reviewed journal articles and four books on these topics. Laurence serves as an associate editor for Energy Research & Social Science, PLOS Climate, and the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. He has worked as a consultant on energy and climate issues for the United Nations, Oxfam, and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. Laurence has previously been a Rachel Carson Fellow and a Visiting Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. He received his PhD from the University of New South Wales Sydney.
My Sustainability Goals for 2024:
1. Incorporating adaptation of vulnerable populations into official climate policy
2. More discussion on adaptation finance, especially beyond insurance
3. More focus on vulnerable populations on their climate adaptation needs
Michael Long
Group Head of Sustainability
New World Development Company Limited
Michael Long
New World Development Company Limited
Group Head of Sustainability
Michael joined New World Group as the Head of Sustainability leading the Group in shaping the next evolution of their ambitious sustainability agenda. Michael enjoys many aspects of the role and its challenges, from advising on responsible investment approaches and sustainable finance options to reimagining business products and services in a climate changed world and aligning social value creation to business decision-making.
Michael possesses over 28 years of experience in sustainability and environmental management across a range of industry sectors in Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom. In his prior role, Michael was the Head of Sustainability and Foundation in Asia at Lendlease and more recently delivered its first Mission Zero Roadmap, WELL Health Safety Rating across its office portfolio and helped secure its Regional and Sector leadership in GRESB across its REIT and Funds portfolio.
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:
Katie Chan
Senior Officer – Policy & Research
Business Environment Council
Suki Han
Assistant Manager
Business Environment Council
Clement Cheung
Assistant Manager – Policy & Research
Business Environment Council
Kevin O’Brien
Chairman, Business Environment Council
Business Environment Council
CF Leung
Director – Operations
Business Environment Council