Beyond Green: Unlocking the Potentials of Existing Buildings

Ir Harry LAI, BBS is the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, which strives to promote the standard and development of sustainable buildings in Hong Kong with a view to raising green building awareness by engaging the government, the industry and the public, and developing practical solutions for Hong Kong’s unique situation.

Ir LAI is a chartered engineer, fellow member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, UK. He is the Adjunct Professor of the School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong and the Research Institute for Smart Energy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Andrew has over 20 years’ experience in driving ESG and sustainability leadership especially for real estate sector in Asia Pacific. He has managed carbon reduction and sustainability program for corporate clients and investors across Asia, with project experience including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippine, Thailand and Malaysia.

As the Director of ESG Advisory for Colliers in Asia, Andrew leads a professional team in providing ESG investing advisory services for clients such as REITs, occupiers, developers, banks and fund managers across all asset types. The projects that Andrew delivered has saved over 120 GWh of electricity up-to-today. Andrew has advised or managed decarbonization projects such as major air-conditioning system retrofit, lighting upgrade and redesign, renewable energy system, green roof, building automation and control system.

Andrew current focus is to accelerate investors success by futureproofing their investment with robust ESG consideration, stakeholders engagement and technology application. With the technical knowledge and countless of experience, Andrew is able to offer the most cost-effective solution and maximize the result to drive decarbonization with positive cash flow.

Andrew has professional training or accreditation for engineering, building certification, carbon accounting, ESG disclosure, benchmarking and investing.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

1. I hope to see investors and developers focusing on long term value creation instead of short-termism
2. I also would like to see Hong Kong economy drivers come from technology advancement in sustainability

Mr. Bon Lau is a passionate advocate for environmental protection, deeply committed to driving meaningful change through sustainable practices. With a foundation in environmental science, his deep appreciation for nature and determination to tackle pressing environmental challenges inspired him to transition into the built environment as a green building professional.

Bon is a certified LEED AP, CEM, and MCIWEM. He specializes in sustainability consulting and green building certification, working closely with building owners to optimize building design and operation performance as well as secure highly regarded ratings.

As an emerging leader in the field, Bon is also recognized as a Green Building Young Leader, reflecting his dedication to advancing sustainability within the built environment.

Ir Mick Tse is the Green Building Young Leader at the Hong Kong Green Building Council. He has participated in numerous public-facing sustainability events, including Green Building Weeks, Green Transport X Building Tours, and Industry Interviews, and has hosted guided tours at landmark sites such as Swire Coca-Cola HK.

Mick is a member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. He also holds credentials as a CESGA, BEAM Pro, WELL AP, and RCx Professional. As a green building expert, he has experience spanning planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance, as well as sustainability.

Currently a seasoned Senior Engineer at Hongkong Land, Mick has played a key role in securing triple platinum certifications—BEAM Plus Platinum, LEED Platinum, and WELL Platinum—across the company’s commercial portfolio in Hong Kong. He is instrumental in advancing sustainability initiatives and has led or contributed to award-winning projects recognized by various institutions. Mick is also a key contributor to sustainability reporting, decarbonization, circularity, biodiversity, and stakeholder engagement.

Kathy is a sustainability professional and the Green Building Young Leader at HKGBC, based at Buro Happold’s Hong Kong office, where she champions decarbonization and net-zero goals. As a Chartered Engineer (CEng MCIBSE), LEED AP, SITES AP, and WELL AP, trained in Hong Kong and the UK, she blends global best practices with local expertise to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions. With a mechanical engineering background, Kathy drives holistic strategies that enhance environmental performance across projects spanning Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainable design to minimize carbon footprints.

A dedicated advocate for gender diversity, Kathy promotes female empowerment in engineering, earning the Young Women in ASHRAE EmpowHERment Award at the 1st ASHRAE Women in Engineering Leadership Symposium. Through professional community engagement, she shares insights on sustainability and inclusive career paths, inspiring others. Her collaborative approach, technical expertise, and commitment to transformative change position her as a leading voice in sustainability, fostering impactful environmental and social outcomes.