The Art and Science of Planting and Growing Trees: Cultivating Biodiversity and Corporate Sustainability in the TNFD Era

Day 2 : 10:15 – 11:30

Full Programme

This interactive workshop, led by experts from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), will explore the crucial link between biodiversity, ecological resilience, and corporate sustainability strategies. Participants will learn how to identify the key attributes of effective ecological restoration, examine the importance of biodiversity in urban environments, and review the ways in which these initiatives can deliver on ESG strategies and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework.

Learnings:

  • Understand the principles of ecological restoration and its impact on biodiversity
  • Learn best practices for growing trees and creating green spaces in urban environments
  • Explore the connection between biodiversity initiatives and corporate sustainability
  • Gain insights into the TNFD framework and its relevance to businesses

Post-Event Actions:

  • Develop strategies to convince stakeholders of the importance of biodiversity initiatives
  • Implement ecological restoration programs within your organization
  • Align biodiversity efforts with your company’s ESG strategy
  • Explore partnerships with organizations like KFBG for biodiversity assessments and restoration programs

Speakers

Wander Meijer

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

Executive Director

Wander is a senior executive with 30+ years management experience in businesses and NGOs in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Since November 2021, Wander leads Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) as Executive Director, where he and his team of 300 staff work on nature conservation, sustainable living and holistic education with the mission to harmonize our (human) relationship with nature. KFBG has the vision to bring back biodiversity to Hong Kong, via Habitat Restoration / reforestation, its Native Tree Nursery and its Wild Animal Rescue Centre, which accepted more than 74,000 wild animals since it opened in 1994.

Furthermore, Wander is business advisor of and impact investor in social enterprises in Africa and the Netherlands, related to poverty alleviation and agricultural transition.

Speaking at:

Day 1

Climate and Health: Risks, Resilience, and Business Opportunities

Sophia Zhu

Special Advisor, Development and Strategy

Sophia Zhu is an accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience in strategic governance, environmental sustainability, and organisational growth. As the Special Advisor of Development and Strategy at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), she leverages her expertise to advance conservation efforts, drive innovative approaches to protecting biodiversity, and work with corporations to integrate these principles into their business strategies.

With a passion for integrating science, art, and philosophy, Sophia brings a holistic perspective to understanding and safeguarding our natural world. Her experience spans both the corporate and non-profit sectors, allowing her to bridge the gap between business imperatives and environmental stewardship.

Previously, as Managing Director and Head of Compliance Testing APAC at Citigroup, Sophia built and led a regional compliance team, introduced climate risk management frameworks, and spearheaded transformative organizational changes. Her work in the financial sector provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities businesses face in adopting sustainable practices.

Sophia also serves as a Trustee at the Croucher Foundation, where she has led governance reforms and provided strategic direction. Her expertise in trust-based philanthropy and stakeholder engagement has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and driving impactful change.

At KFBG, Sophia combines her strategic planning skills, environmental knowledge, and leadership experience to further the organization’s mission of nature conservation and sustainable living. She bridges corporate sustainability goals with practical conservation efforts, enhancing the impact of KFBG’s initiatives.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

Corporations start to engage in proactive biodiversity enhancement and habitat restoration work.

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