Climate Governance in an Uncertain World

Spencer Liu is Executive Director of the Climate Governance Initiative Hong Kong Chapter (CGI HK), a non-profit initiative dedicated to empowering board directors to exercise effective climate governance. In this role, Spencer works with business leaders and governance professionals to strengthen boardroom capabilities and embed climate oversight across Hong Kong’s corporate landscape, influencing through practical guidance, cross-sector engagement, and original research to support decision-making in the climate transition.

Beyond CGI HK, Spencer has founded Riverwood Climate Solutions, where he advises corporations and startups across Asia on climate technologies, with a focus on strategy and venture co-building in the sustainable transportation value chain. He also serves as Advisor & Director at Power Dime Inc., a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) platform helping businesses access traceable, auditable carbon-free power across global markets.

Earlier in his career, Spencer spent eight years at McKinsey & Company, where he co-led sustainability and green business building in Greater China as an Associate Partner. He is a CFA charterholder, CESGA holder, and LEED Green Associate.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

Corporations continue to see climate actions as priority, with a long-term outlook on such matter

Mr Mark Harper has worked for around 20 years in the field of corporate sustainability. As Group Head of Sustainability at Swire, Mr Harper is responsible for managing the Group Sustainable Development Office, and leading on the design, execution and performance monitoring of the global corporate sustainability strategy for the Swire Group. As well as, acting as the lead change agent in driving improved sustainability performance and best practices, with a view to further embedding sustainability into overall business strategy for Swire.

Prior to taking up the Group Head of Sustainability role, Mr Harper had worked at John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd. for over seven years, where he was responsible for managing the Group’s ESG disclosures as well as advising operating companies on their own ESG submissions. In addition to his work on ESG ratings, Mr Harper was also responsible for advising the Group on policy and strategy development, particularly in the areas of climate resilience, biodiversity and sustainable waste management. He also sits on the Board of Business Environment Council, the Executive Committee of the Drink Without Waste working group and is Chair of the ESG Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

Mr Harper has extensive experience of ESG disclosure standards such as GRI and the Hong Kong Exchange ESG Reporting Guide, as well as conducting sector focused benchmarking studies, corporate environmental management, as well as organising hands-on corporate citizenship and CSR training programmes.

Before joining John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd., Mr Harper worked in a number of senior management roles at high profile NGOs including the Earthwatch Institute, Fauna & Flora International, China Water Risk, and Business Environment Council, where he was responsible for managing the organisations advisory services on ESG reporting and corporate sustainability strategy development.

My Sustainability Goal for 2025:

Prepare the company for IFRS alignment in our sustainability reporting; continue to work on integrating sustainability into core functions; continue to drive performance towards achieving our 2030 SwireTHRIVE goals.

Luke is based in London and is Head of International Sustainability for JPMorganChase. In his role he leads the Firm’s corporate sustainability activities outside North America, guiding the Firm in developing and executing its sustainability strategy and managing relationships with external stakeholders and industry initiatives. Before joining the Firm in 2022, Luke was a Director in PwC’s sustainability advisory practice in London, advising global financial institutions on their sustainability strategies. Prior to PwC, Luke worked on financial services public policy issues in London and Brussels. He holds degrees from the University of Nottingham and Bayes Business School.

Athena Ng is a Board Member of Friends of the Earth (HK), one of Hong Kong’s most prominent and long established green groups. She is the General Manager, Corporate Finance & Corporate Communications Departments of China Overseas Land & Investment Limited (688.HK), responsible for corporate finance, media, investor relations, environmental, social and governance (ESG) and other Board related matters.
•Athena is a Chartered Secretary, CFA Charterholder, a Certified Public Accountant of Hong Kong and the State of Virginia. She is a Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) Credential holder and a Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA®) of The European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS).

My Sustainability Goals for 2025

• Re-launch the HK waste charging scheme to encourage re-use
• More awareness of the climate action plan 2050

Prof Tai is the Director of Great Glory Investment Corporation with an extensive career spanning 45 years in the financial sector across international markets. She holds governance roles at the World Economic Forum Global Future Council, Chapter Zero Alliance (hosting 34 Climate Governance Initiative chapters worldwide), Global Reporting Initiative and Hong Kong Institute of Directors. She is a board trainer, Adjunct Professor, ESG competition judge, sustainable investor, frequent speaker and author.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025

What I hope to see in 2025

1. HKSARG publically commit concrete climate action beyond 2030, aligned with China State Council ‘Opinions’ published 11 Aug 2024
2. HKSAR Climate Commissioner be more seen and heard, especially in sharing about our city’s (public and private) commitments, achievements and action plans in sustainability
3. I’d continue to help raise HK/China’s profile and voice in Just Transition and Sustainable Finance & Investing