Net Zero Innovation (Keynote) Theatre

SDG’s at a Crossroads: Has Adoption and Integration Failed or Can We Still Catalyse Impact?

11 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 16:10 – 17:00

As we approach the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this session will take a critical look at the progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the SDGs have provided a universal framework for addressing global challenges, their adoption and integration into business strategies, government policies, and community actions have been uneven.

This discussion will explore whether the SDGs are at the point of falling short of their ambitious targets or if there is still an opportunity to catalyse meaningful impact. Panellists will examine the barriers to effective implementation, such as lack of alignment, insufficient funding, and limited accountability, while also highlighting success stories and innovative approaches that demonstrate the potential for accelerated progress.

 

Learnings

  1. What are the key barriers preventing widespread adoption and integration of the SDGs, and how can they be overcome?
  2. How can businesses, governments, and civil society work together to accelerate progress toward the SDGs in the remaining years?
  3. What innovative approaches or success stories demonstrate the potential for catalysing meaningful impact under the SDG framework?

 

Post-Event Actions:

  1. Conduct an internal review of your organization’s alignment with the SDGs and identify areas for stronger integration.
  2. Collaborate with stakeholders—such as NGOs, governments, and communities—to co-create initiatives that address specific SDG targets.
  3. Advocate for increased accountability by publicly reporting on your organization’s contributions to the SDGs and progress toward measurable outcomes.

Speakers

Ada Chan

Social Responsbility and Sustainable Development Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Head of Communcations and Engagement / SDSN Hong Kong Network Manager

Ada is a committed strategist and educator with expertise in planning and sustainable development. She obtained her PhD from the University of Melbourne, where her dissertation examined the role of creative arts spaces as cultural capital in Hong Kong and their contribution to urban sustainability. With substantial experience in academia and project management, Ada has served as the Head of Communications and Engagement in the Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Office, as well as the Network Manager for the Sustainable Development Solutions Network in Hong Kong at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In these roles, she successfully led initiatives focused on social impact and sustainability. Additionally, she has held the position of Project Manager at the University of Hong Kong, where she managed community outreach projects pertaining to water sustainability.

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