Sustainability Partnerships in Facilities Management

Mr. Julien Watel graduated with a master’s degree in Mechanical and Energy Engineering at Polytech Marseille University (France). Fully engaged in sustainability solutions development for giving a brighter future to the next generations, he has over 22 years of experience in energy management and building services engineering with extensive international experience in construction of building services plants with the aim of thinking operations from the design phase.
In Veolia, Julien has been promoting implementation of smart energy services in the Middle East and Central Europe. He is now assigned by Veolia to work as Director of the Energy Business in HK Line and as Executive Director of the Southa Group of Companies to accelerate the development of energy performance services to cope with environmental challenges.

Melanie is the Sustainable Solutions Strategist at JEB Group & Sustainable Office Solutions, she possesses a unique blend of design knowledge and a deep passion for sustainability. Having studied architecture in both Hong Kong and London, Melanie brings a diverse perspective to the industry.

Her journey towards sustainability began with a strong personal commitment, starting with personal lifestyle changes. Recognizing the crucial role industries play in driving sustainable practices, Melanie cofounded a sustainable product start-up and explored the intersection of architecture and sustainability in previous roles.

Since 2019, Melanie has focused her efforts on sustainability advisory, developing expertise in project management with a track record of successful delivery of supply chain projects addressing human rights and environmental risks. She has worked across a wide range of industries, from finance and property development to manufacturing, F&B, and waste management, Melanie has consistently demonstrated her ability to implement sustainable practices to make a positive impact.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

• More enforced regulations from government to accelerate ambitious climate action in the business sector.
• Higher quality education and awareness building around sustainability to inspire and empower individuals in Hong Kong to be part of the change!

Phoebe Leung is the Senior Sustainable Development Manager of Swire Properties. Her work involves supporting the Company’s Sustainable Development (SD) 2030 Strategy as well as action plans and programmes to improve the company’s overall SD performance.

She leads the planning and execution of Swire Properties’ SD tenant engagement strategy and bespoke tenant programmes, such as the Green Performance Pledge and Green Kitchen Initiative, fostering landlord-tenant partnerships to incorporate sustainability throughout the design, fit-out and occupancy stages.

In addition, she drives the Company’s Resource and Circularity Taskforce, made up of representatives from portfolio teams and hotels, to regularly analyse waste performance and facilitate new initiatives. She leads the development of new partnerships and innovations to design out waste, encourage reuse and enhance resource recovery. Her recent projects include the Taikoo Place Smart Reusable Cup and Food Box Programme, and launching the Smart Waste Reduction Challenge which utilises smart scales and a digital engagement platform to gamify the Company’s collective sustainability journey with tenants.

Phoebe is a Chartered Environmentalist and also holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University.

– Serves as a Senior Property & Facility Manager of Kai Shing Management Services Limited
– Experienced professional for managing Grade A commercial development
– Leads the team in providing high-quality and attentive services to tenants
– has spearheaded the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and waste reduction programs in the development
– has been instrumental in promoting recycling and environmental responsibility among tenants

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

1. Increase Adoption of Solar Energy:
• Expand the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels on building façades and rooftops across Hong Kong.
• Provide incentives and streamline the approval process for building owners to install solar energy systems.
2. Promote Energy-Efficient Building Retrofits:
• Implement a building retrofit program to upgrade existing commercial and residential buildings with energy-efficient technologies.
• Encourage the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to optimize building performance and monitor real-time energy consumption.