Net Zero Innovation (Keynote) Theatre

Bridging Equity & Accountability: Advancing Just Transition

11 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 13:00 – 13:50

Full Programme
Net Zero Innovation Theatre (Keynote)

As businesses align their ambitions with global climate goals, the concept of a Just Transition becomes paramount. This session will focus on the critical intersection of corporate sustainability due diligence, labour risk and social sustainability in driving a Just Transition.
The discussion will explore how supply chain due diligence can ensure that companies not only reduce their environmental impact but also address social risks and promote worker welfare. Delegates will gain insights into how businesses can proactively engage with key stakeholders, including workers, communities, and policymakers, to create inclusive and sustainable transition plans that prioritise fairness, safeguard livelihoods, and enhance long-term resilience. The session will emphasise the importance of supporting vulnerable workers, ensuring decent work opportunities, and fostering inclusivity as industries shift towards achieving net zero ambitions.

 

Learnings

  1. How can businesses ensure that their transition plans are socially sustainable, promote worker welfare, and enhance inclusivity alongside environmental goals?
    2. What role does supply chain due diligence play in embedding accountability, remedy, and the support of vulnerable workers into corporate strategies?
    3. How can companies effectively engage with workers, communities, and other stakeholders to co-create transition plans that address workforce needs and advance social sustainability?

Post-event Actions

  1. Conduct social impact assessment across your company’s operations and supply chains to identify potential risks to worker welfare, livelihoods, and social sustainability during the transition.
    2. Develop a Just Transition framework that integrates principles of social sustainability, labour protections, and decent work into your sustainability strategy, ensuring meaningful engagement with workers and communities in decision-making and risk analysis.
    3. Collaborate with stakeholders, including workers, communities, and industry partners, to establish mechanisms for accountability, grievance resolution, and the promotion of decent work opportunities for all.

Speakers

Clemence Aron

Programme Director

Clemence currently leads Membership and Advisory services at The Mekong Club. Her career is dedicated to helping businesses adopt sustainable practices in their operations and supply chains. Clemence has a strong background in managing cross-functional projects, developing advisory services and guiding businesses on supply chain due diligence, developing frameworks and tools, leading research initiatives, and providing training to diverse stakeholders. Before joining The Mekong Club, she worked as a consultant at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and has experience in the private sector, both in-house and in consulting.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025

– Advance sustainability in supply chains:
I hope to see more Hong Kong companies embed sustainability and effective due diligence practices across their supply chains, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and long-term partnerships.

– Empower SMEs: I aim to support Hong Kong’s SMEs in adopting practical, scalable social sustainability solutions that align with global expectations while having an impact locally.

– Enhance cross-sector collaboration: I would like to see stronger partnerships between businesses, industry associations, and non-profit organisations, to address sustainability challenges and scale collective action.

Speaking at:

Day 1

Bridging Equity & Accountability: Advancing Just Transition

Michelle Mak

Dun & Bradstreet (HK) Limited

Head of ESG

Michelle Mak is the Head of ESG and Enterprise Learning of Dun & Bradstreet in Hong Kong. In addition to her dedication to establishing an ecosystem of partners with government agencies, enterprises and start-ups for a greener future, she has led D&B HK to become the first office in D&B’s global network to join as a Signatory of United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest sustainable development initiative. Since 2020, Michelle has been appointed as a member of the Technology Voucher Program Committee by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the SAR Government.
Michelle co-founded an award-winning social enterprise, Make The Change, in Singapore in 2013 with like-minded partners, providing creative services such as education and mentoring, community development and corporate social responsibility to NGOs and social enterprises. Micelle was selected as the ESG Person of the Year and Top Women to Watch in Greater China, by Campaign Asia in 2021. Same year she has won GBA Outstanding Women Entrepreneur Award.
Currently Michelle is also holding positions of Board Member of Sensational Foundation, a registered charity in Hong Kong; Vice President of Lions Club of Hong Kong IFC, as well as Vice President of Scouts Association (Yau Tsim District Hong Kong).

Speaking at:

Day 1

Bridging Equity & Accountability: Advancing Just Transition

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