HKQAA International Sustainability Forum 2025

 HKQAA International Sustainability Forum 2025 was held in HKCEC on 12^th May 2025 with the theme “Linking Policymakers and Business Leaders to Spark Dialogue and Collaboration”. HKSQ team Dr. Jane Wong, Ms. Angela Wong, Mr. Keith Kwok and I participated to the forum.

I also met Mr. PC Chan (CEO, HKQAA) and Mr. Ho Chi Shing (Chairman, HKQAA).

Angela and I took a photo with Mr. KT Ting.

I also met old friends Ms. Bess Choi and Mr. Wilman Chan.

Before start of the forum, HKSQ team took a photo.

In the beginning, Mr. CS Ho (Chairman, HKQAA) gave welcome speech. He said that governments worldwide were implementing policies to promote low-carbon economic transformation.

Then all guests took a group photo.

The first officiating guest was Mr. Tse Chin-wan (Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Government of HKSAR) and he introduced government policy on supporting carbon neutrality by 2050.

The second officiating guest was Mr. Christopher Hui (Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of HKSAR) and he presented the policy to support GBA low-carbon economic transformation and financing opportunities. 

The third special guest was Dr. Chen Gang (Acting SG of BRI International Green Development Coalition (BRIGC)) and he introduced the main goal of BRIGC is to promote international consensus understanding, cooperation and concerted actions to achieve green development of BRI.

After that the Morning Forum chaired by Dr. Zhang Jianyu (Chief Development Officer of BRIGC) and panelists included Mr. Riyadi Suparno (Executive Director of Tenggara Strategics, Indonesia), Mr. Ronnie Tham (Partner of Treo Capital) and Mr. Leo Horn-Phathanothai (Founder and CEO, Just Transitions Incubator (JUTI)). They shared their view of sustainability and low carbon transformation in their countries and future development.

The first speaker was Mr. Saeed Uddin (Chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong) and his topic named “Shaping a Halal-friendly and Inclusive Economy: Unlocking Potentials in Local and Overseas Markets”. He discussed about environment protection by Islam way and energy efficiency in daily life.

The second speaker was Ms. Connie Sham (Head of Audit, Strategic Business, HKQAA) and her topic entitled “Supporting the Banking Industry in implementing Climate Risk Management and related Financial Disclosures”.

Firstly, Connie introduced Climate Impact GPS in four dimensions and free pilot program to support Banking industry.

Then she briefed the process of identification and address climate-related risks and opportunities. And then demonstrated their tools for identifying transition risk, physical risk and opportunities.

Finally, Connie demonstrated how to determine and disclose financial effects. 

The last speaker in this forum was Dr. Nigel Croft (Chair, ISO Joint Technical Coordination Group from MS standards (2020-2023)) and his presentation was “Leveraging ISO Standards to Embrace Low-Carbon and ESG Opportunities – Revision of ISO 9001 and ISO14001”. 

Dr. Nigel Croft briefed the fast forward to London Declaration on Climate Action in 2021 that potential changes to some of ISO Management System standards. And then he introduced some recent developments including Net Zero Guideline, Climate Change Management and Framework for Implementing ESG Principles. 

After that he mentioned the revision schedule for ISO 9001 that fast-track not worked because of negative comments on the committee draft and the new ISO 9001 publication date expected to be in mid-2026. Possible changes in CD2 were discussed such as ethical behavior and separates out risks and opportunities.

There were also included infrastructure for remote and hybrid work and use of emerging technologies for continual improvement.

For revision schedule for ISO 14001, it expected to be published in 2025 and no major changes. Lastly, he concluded that ISO supported Low-Carbon and ESG opportunities. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 revisions are related to climate change.

During the break, I met many friends and took photos for memory. GP friend Mr. Johnny Sung and Ms. Taurus Chu.

Met Mr. Jacky Yeung

Ms. Angelina Tang in Guangzhou branch and we met in 2016.

Photo with Ms. Connie Shum 

Also Mr. William Wong

Mr. Hip IP helped HKQAA for TID funded project and we took a photo for memory.

In afternoon Forum, Mr. PC Chan (CEO, HKQAA) gave opening speech. He said HKQAA committed to advancing sustainability initiatives and to promote Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area integration.

The first guest keynote remarks from Mr. Gao Guosheng (Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation Secretary General of the Guangdong Intellectual Property Administration.)

The second guest keynote remarks from Mr. Li Chenguang (Director of Accounting Department of Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau).

The third guest keynote remarks from Ms. Janey Lai (CEO, The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council).

All guests and speakers took a group photo.

After that HKQAA and The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Certification signed MOU for cooperation.

Dr. Leng Bing (Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)) was the first speaker and his topic entitled “Latest Development of Global Baseline Standards of Sustainability Disclosure”. He raised challenges from climate change and promoted industrial standards and framework to solve it.

Prof. Liu Yifang (Director of Sustainable Criteria Research Center, Central University of Finance and Economics) and her topic named “The Development and Practice of the Common Baseline of Sustainability-related Financial Disclosure in China”. Firstly, she introduced different policies from mainland China. 

Then she briefed some implementation examples and shared some cases which cooperated with HKQAA.

Finally, she introduced seven points of Financial Disclosure requirements to us.

The last speaker was Mr. Philip Chiu (Executive Director – Digital & Sustainability, Jardine Engineering Corporation Limited) and his presentation title was “Engineering and AI: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions”. Firstly, he introduced Jardine Engineering Digital Insights (JEDI) and JEDI AI for energy optimization and fault detection.  

Then he shared several cases using their sustainable solutions such as TKO Desalination Plant that 30% grid reduction through renewable energy from solar panels, Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works that awarded BEAM Plus Platinum, etc. Lastly, he expected to drive Hong Kong’s Net-Zero Future.

I left after this session and learnt the most updated trend in the sustainability field.

Reference:

www.hkqaa.org

www.hksq.org

Previous HKQAA Symposium:

20240313: HKQAA Seminar on the Latest Development of ISO 9001 Revision - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2024/03/hkqaa-seminar-on-latest-development-of.html

20231130: HKQAA International Symposium 2023 – Sustainable Finance, ESG and Climate Resilience • Hong Kong 2023 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2023/11/hkqaa-international-symposium-2023.html

20230825: HKQAA Symposium 2023 – Build the Livable City, Shape a Sustainable Community - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2023/08/hkqaa-symposium-2023-build-livable-city.html

20191018: HKQAA 30th Anniversary Forum cum Celebration Cocktail Reception - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2019/10/hkqaa-30th-anniversary-forum-cum.html

20190325: HKQAA Green Finance Certification Scheme Presentation Ceremony cum Forum 2019 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2019/03/hkqaa-green-finance-certification.html

2018: Part 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2018/05/hkqaa-symposium-2018-part-1.html

2018: Part 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2018/05/hkqaa-symposium-2018-part-2.html

2017: Part 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2017/05/hkqaa-symposium-2017-part-1.html

2017: Part 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2017/05/hkqaa-symposium-2017-part-2.html

2016: HKQAA Symposium – Startups Registration Scheme Kicks off - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2016/05/hkqaa-symposium-startups-registration.html

2015: Part 1 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2015/05/hkqaa-symposium-2015-part-1.html

2015: Part 2 - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2015/05/hkqaa-symposium-2015-part-2.html

2014: HKQAA 25th Anniversary Forum & Celebration Cocktail Reception - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2014/11/hkqaa-25th-anniversary-forum.html

2013: http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2013/11/hkqaa-symposium-2013-esg-management.html

2012: Part 1 - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2012/12/hkqaa-symposium-2012-part-1.html;

2012: Part 2 - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2012/12/hkqaa-symposium-2012-part-2.html

2011: http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2011/11/hkqaa-symposium-2011-performing-your.html

2010: Part 1 - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2010/11/hkqaa-symposium-2010-sustainability.html ;

2010: Part 2 - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2010/11/hkqaa-symposium-2010-sustainability_26.html

2009: http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2009/11/smaller-carbon-footprint-hkqaa.html

2008: http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2008/12/hkqaa-symposium-2008-green-day.html

HKSQ x SGS Webinar on Understanding ESG in Multifaceted Views

HKSQ and SGS organized Webinar named “Understanding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in Multifaceted Views” on 26^th April 2024. SGS is the HKSQ corporate member and collaborated this webinar to realize what ESG is and its latest trends in multifaceted views. The guest speaker was Ms. Zonta Yung (Project Manager, Sustainability – Business Assurance, SGS). She would introduce what is ESG, its megatrend and common topics with relevant international standards. 

In the beginning, Ms. Zonta Yung introduced the definition of EGS that Environmental criteria consider companies; performance as a steward of nature. Social criteria related to employees, suppliers, customers and the communities during their operation. Governance deals with a company’s leadership, executive, internal control and shareholder rights.

And then she compared among ESG, CSR and Sustainability that ESG focused on operation, CSR focused on social related activities, as well as, Sustainability focused on strategic long-term balance.

After that Ms. Yung briefed the trends & drivers of ESG in government, regulator and market. She also compared different regions and countries’ carbon-related target. HKSAR, Taiwan China set carbon neutral by 2050. USA and EU also set carbon neural by 2050. China set it by 2060. ASEAN only targeted to reach 23% renewable energy by 2025.

Ms. Yung then shared the ESG disclosure level of the different regions/countries’ regulatory bodies that HKSAR, Japan, EU, Singapore and Indonesia are mandatory. Others are voluntary disclosure in different level. She also introduced an international group of institutional investors developed the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) to advocate ESG investment.

Finally, the megatrend and six emerging themes of ESG policies across ASEAN were discussed that included green taxonomies, climate reporting, carbon pricing schemes, corporate ESG disclosures, ESG fund requirements and supply chain due diligence & transparency.  

HKEX ESG reporting guide employed as example to demonstrate the requirements in environmental area and social area.

Lastly, Ms. Zonta Yung linked the related international standards with each requirements including ISO 14001, ISO 50001, etc.

At the end, we took a group photo in the Zoom for memory.

Reference:

HKSQ - https://hksq.org/

HKSQ Corporate Members - https://hksq.org/list-of-hksq-corporate-members/

ISE x RIAM Seminar – Development and Assessment of Circular Economy Strategies

PolyU ISE and RIAM seminar named “Development and Assessment of Circular Economy” was held on 20^th Mar 2024. Prof. Hwong-wen Ma (National Taiwan University) was guest speaker. His talk content structure was vision, principle, objective, strategy, goal, target and development of the circular economy.

In the beginning, Prof. Ma introduced “Vision” model named doughnut economics that the first circle is environmental ceiling and the second circle is social foundation. Its’ principle included resource efficient and climate neutral. 

Then he explained the objective for resource and impact decoupling. The strategy named “Resource as a lever” was discussed that an integrated approach to managing energy, raw materials, environmental and financial resources on a sustainable and efficient basis over the full cycles of goods and services.

This strategy implemented as sustainable resource management (consumption and production) from green economy efficiency to risk management resilience.

And then the goal was “how much resource efficiency needed” that closed the gap by 50% to 70%. The target is retaining value through three models and they were “Circular Design”, “Optimal Use” and “Value Recovery”. 

After that the business models were discussed from circular supplies to resource recovery. Circular Economy defined “Being restorative and regenerative by design, keeping products, components, and materials at their highest value at all times, through system-wide innovation of materials, products, business models and value chain.”

The evolution of the terms for circular economy was showed. I like the spaceship earth economics that implied earth is a spaceship.

Finally, the global trend on production, consumption, waste and secondary materials were mentioned. There were five directions included i) Product as focus, ii) Regulation and investment as driver, iii) Standardization as scalability promoter, iv) Digitalization as connecter, and v) Collaboration as path.

The summary diagram was demonstrated those directions relationship.

For circular economy, data collection is significant. Thus, digitalization and industry 4.0 are important technology to be employed. 

Prof. Ma also stated the change role of EPD that more focused on resource efficiency together with environmental impacts.

Lastly, he introduced some research tools on the integration of assessment methods including product and material flow analysis, resource and waste input-output analysis, multimedia environmental fate modeling and life cycle assessment and risk assessment. 

He demonstrated material flow analysis in Taiwan. 

As well as, liking driving forces and consequences showed in Taiwan.

At the end, the broad agenda was introduced that included environment, society and economy.

In Q&A session, more than 100 participants joined this seminar online. I asked questions about i4.0 and economy as well as customer behavior for purchasing environment friendly product.

Reference:

20180409: IISE Seminar on “Introduction of Circular Economy and how this Business Model creates Values to Stakeholders” - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2018/04/iise-seminar-on-introduction-of.html

20170221: HKSTP Seminar on Know More about Circular Economy - https://qualityalchemist.blogspot.com/2017/02/hkstp-seminar-on-know-more-about.html