Net Zero Innovation (Keynote) Theatre
Leadership in Sustainability: Financing the Transition & Creating Long-term Value
12 Sep (Fri) Day 2 : 10:00 – 10:35
Leadership in Sustainability: Financing the Transition & Creating Long-term Value
As the urgency to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resilient economy intensifies, the role of financial institutions in steering capital towards sustainable outcomes has never been more critical. This high-level dialogue brings together senior leaders driving Asia’s sustainable finance agenda to examine how the financial sector can balance near-term pressures with the imperative to create long-term social and environmental value.
Our speakers will share perspectives on integrating sustainability into financing strategies, addressing disclosure and risk management challenges, and unlocking opportunities in emerging transition pathways. The discussion will also explore how collaborative frameworks between regulators, corporates and the financial sector are reshaping market norms and mobilising capital at scale.
Delegates will gain valuable insights into how leading institutions are embedding sustainability into their decision-making, innovating financing solutions, and navigating the evolving expectations of investors, clients and communities. Join this keynote session to better understand the leadership required to finance Asia’s transition, and the strategies essential for building long-term resilience and value creation across business and society.
Speakers
Moderator
Grace Hui
Founder and CEO
Net Zero Asia
Grace Hui
Net Zero Asia
Founder and CEO
Grace Hui is the Founder & CEO of Net Zero Asia, a firm dedicated to developing carbon assets for the voluntary market and advising on green and transition finance projects. Previously, as a senior executive at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), she was instrumental in establishing Hong Kong as a regional green finance hub. She launched HKEX’s sustainable finance business and led its strategic assessment of carbon market opportunities.
Grace is also an Adjunct Professor at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and serves as Vice Chair of the Sustainability Committee at The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, among other advisory roles.
Tessa Dann
Head of Sustainable Finance, Asia Pacific
Societe Generale
Tessa Dann
Societe Generale
Head of Sustainable Finance, Asia Pacific
Tessa Dann is Head of Sustainable Finance for Asia Pacific at Societe Generale. She leads origination and execution of sustainable banking activities in the region, supporting clients in their transition and endeavours to deliver positive impact. In early 2025, Tessa was awarded Best Sustainable Finance Banker for Australia and New Zealand by FinanceAsia.
Tessa has more than 10 years of deep cross-sector experience in sustainable finance as well as debt capital markets, investor relations and funding management. Prior to Societe Generale, Tessa was a Director of Sustainable Finance at ANZ Institutional Bank and previously worked in Funding and Investor Relations at Queensland Treasury Corporation, including establishing their green bond program.
Tessa is also an active contributor to the region’s sustainable finance community, supporting the development and improvement of market standards by being part of several initiatives and industry groups. This currently includes forums such as the APLMA’s Green and Sustainable Loan Committee and ASIFMA sustainable finance working groups.
Dr. Kang Qu
Managing Director of Sustainability Strategy, Bank of China (Hong Kong); Vice President, Hong Kong Green Finance Association
Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Dr. Kang Qu
Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Managing Director of Sustainability Strategy, Bank of China (Hong Kong); Vice President, Hong Kong Green Finance Association
Dr. Kang Qu, Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Managing Director, Sustainability Strategy
Deputy General Manager, Economics & Strategic Planning Department
Deputy General Manager, Hong Kong Financial Research Institute of Bank of China
Dr. Kang Qu is Managing Director of Sustainability Strategy Bank of China (Hong Kong). He also holds the role of Deputy General Manager in Economics & Strategic Planning Department of the bank and Hong Kong Financial Research Institute of Bank of China since 2022.
Dr. Qu joined Bank of China in London in 2006 to head the research and strategic planning team, overseeing macro-economic research of the EMEA region and leading strategy planning and implementation for Bank of China’s business in the UK.
Dr. Qu also represents the bank in different international sustainability organizations. Dr. Qu is vice president of Hong Kong Green Finance Association and a Member of Directors of the China International Finance Society and a member of the Data Working Group led by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
He participated in Shanghai’s “14th Five-Year Plan” International Financial Center Development Research Project, actively promoting synergy between Shanghai and Hong Kong in financial center development.
He has published over 50 papers in international journals, focusing on global banking, economic finance, and the positioning and functional expansion of Hong Kong as an international green finance center.
Dr. Qu earned his PhD in Finance from University of Durham in the UK. He also received a MSc degree from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and a BSc degree in Computer Science and Technology from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).