Hong Kong
2025
March 27, 2025
Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, Concord Room
Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in Asia's growth, serving as a major hub for sustainable development investments. Leveraging its robust financial infrastructure and strategic position in the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong has emerged as a gateway for international investors seeking to capitalize on Asia's — and particularly China's —growing demand for sustainable capital.
As part of its efforts to foster sustainable growth, Hong Kong has launched a comprehensive array of capital market initiatives, including promoting green bonds, sustainable banking, and ESG disclosures – supported by regulatory frameworks that provide clear guidelines and incentives. The city also plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration across the region.
With China on track to peak emissions by 2025 and achieve carbon neutrality ahead of its 2060 target, the region is at the forefront of global climate action and the broader energy transition. Hong Kong and Greater China's policies will significantly influence the world's decarbonization pathway. As investors increasingly demand clear climate transition plans, businesses must adapt and respond effectively. The region must also mitigate and respond to mounting climate risks while integrating resilience into its infrastructure.
Unlocking capital for sustainability, Asia’s premiere sustainable finance and business forum, hosted by Eco-Business and UNEP FI since 2018, will be hosting its inaugural dialogue in Hong Kong and convene thousands of key decision makers across Asia to chart the way forward on accelerating the region’s economic transition towards a sustainable future.
All delegates of Unlocking capital for sustainability 2025 Hong Kong are provided with a complimentary ticket to join us for the film premiere of WASTED on 28th March. You will receive your ticket once you complete registration.
Please note that all registrations are final and non-refundable, ensuring that you receive the best possible experience from the moment you sign up. Future discounts or promotions will not apply to completed registrations.
Kitty Bu
Vice President, Asia ex-India, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
Bu
Speaking on:
Jessica Cheam
Founder and Managing Director, Eco-Business; Independent Director, Wilmar International and ComfortDelGro Group, MSID, ICDM
Cheam
Speaking on:
Christopher Hui Ching-yu
Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Hui
Speaking on:
Benjamin Steuer
Assistant Professor, Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Steuer
Speaking on:
8:30
9:00
Welcome remarks
9:15
Opening keynote by guest-of-honour
9:30
10:00
Opening plenary — Mobilising capital for the green transition
Global uncertainties from rising geopolitical tensions this year have threatened energy security, trade and supply chains – complicating international efforts to mobilise funding for the energy transition.
With the dangers of climate change becoming more evident and mounting climate risks threatening global financial stability, policymakers must urgently respond with strategies to mitigate these risks and build wider societal resilience.
China, with its ambitious carbon neutrality goals and dominance in clean energy supply chains, is well positioned to take a leadership position in Asia and the world. In 2024, the Asian giant accounted for two thirds of the US$2.1 trillion spent globally on energy transition. How will China and Hong Kong businesses continue to play a role in accelerating the green transition at home and globally? This opening plenary will explore the business and policy responses needed to advance sustainable finance for sustainable development outcomes in the region.
Speakers
10:50
Special keynote
11:00
Plenary 2 — Intersecting forces: AI, technology and sustainable development
As countries grapple with meeting sustainable development targets, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool. From optimising energy consumption in buildings and providing early disaster warnings, to enabling vast data analysis and stabilising energy grids, AI offers a pathway to improving transparency and governance, accelerating the energy transition and building resilient cities.
AI’s surging energy demand poses a critical challenge, however. Projections indicate China's data center energy consumption could soar to over 400 billion kWh by 2030, potentially unleashing over 200 million metric tons of carbon emissions if renewable energy adoption lags. Unmanaged, the integration of AI in rapidly urbanizing regions across Asia could significantly worsen emissions.
How can we unlock AI's vast potential for sustainable development while mitigating its inherent energy footprint? What other technological advancements are on the horizon that will enable the rapid decarbonisation of the region?
12:00
13:45
14:00
Plenary debate — This house believes regulation is needed to drive biodiversity financing in Asia
Home to the world’s most diverse ecosystems, Asia is a biodiversity hotspot crucial for global ecological balance and economic stability. The region’s biodiversity provides trillions of dollars in economic value each year through ecosystem services – yet the region today faces significant challenges exacerbated by mounting climate change and economic pressures.
The recent landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has set ambitious global targets, including addressing a $700 billion annual biodiversity funding gap by 2030. How will capital markets address this urgent need?
This plenary debate will explore whether regulation is necessary to ensure biodiversity and nature-related financing in Asia – or if market forces will suffice.
Speakers
15:00
Plenary 3 — Inclusive finance for Asia's circular economy
As the world’s global manufacturing hub, Asia plays a critical role in global supply chains, significantly contributing to global GDP growth and trade. However, the region faces pressing challenges such as resource depletion, mounting pollution and climate change – underscoring the urgency of transitioning to a circular economy.
To accelerate this transition, Asia requires robust regulatory frameworks that incentive circular practices and addresses current barriers such as unsupportive tax structures and policy incoherence. Innovative financial instruments – including green bonds, blended financing and risk mitigation tools – can play a crucial role in enabling this transition, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of Asia's economy.
This plenary will provide strategic recommendations for policymakers, investors, and businesses in creating a cohesive ecosystem for circular economy investments and responsible resource stewardship. Through this discussion, we will identify scaleable financial models and technologies that can drive an inclusive circular economy in Asia.
Speakers
16:00
Closing plenary — Driving impact for climate adaptation and resilience
In a world increasingly marked by geopolitical polarization and diverging priorities, impact investing remains a crucial mechanism for solving urgent societal problems and driving positive change.
For Asia, investing in climate and health initiatives is particularly crucial due to the region's heightened vulnerabilities. The region is warming faster than the global average, leading to increased frequency and severity of heatwaves, floods, and storms – posing significant threat to infrastructure, economies, and human lives. The health impacts are equally concerning, with climate change exacerbating the spread of diseases and worsening air and water quality, leading to significant economic and social repercussions.
Hong Kong, with its substantial number of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and multinationals, is strategically positioned to emerge as a leading impact investing hub. The city's financial infrastructure and deep capital markets offer significant advantages, but global cooperation and regulatory clarity are key for supporting the growth of impact investing in a fragmented world. This plenary will delve into the future of impact investing, focusing on how it can navigate complex global dynamics while promoting sustainable development and social equity.
Speakers
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TOMRA
TOMRA was founded in 1972, based on the design, manufacturing and sale of reverse vending machines (RVMs) for automated collection of used beverage containers. Today TOMRA provides solutions that enable the circular economy with advanced collection and sorting systems, and food processing by employing sensor-based sorting and grading technology. Altogether TOMRA has approximately 105,000 installations in over 100 markets worldwide and had total revenues of about 14.8 billion NOK in 2023. TOMRA's geographic footprint covers all continents, and the solutions provided are increasingly relevant for serving sustainable societies.
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AIA
AIA Group is the largest pan-Asian life insurer with a presence in 18 markets. The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$289 billion as of 30 June 2024.
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InvestHK
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government Department responsible for Foreign Direct Investment. InvestHK’s vision is to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as the leading international business location in Asia. Our mission is to attract and retain foreign direct investment which is of strategic importance to the economic development of Hong Kong.
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Climate Finance Asia
Climate Finance Asia (CF Asia) is a mission-driven business focused on tackling the climate challenge through the tools of sustainable finance. Founded in 2008 as Carbon Care Asia, CF Asia is a team of experienced environmental and social development professionals across Asia that deliver high-quality advisory services on sustainable finance in the region.
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Nasdaq
Nasdaq’s position at the intersection of technology and the global capital markets allows us to approach environmental, social, and governance issues from a unique vantage point. Our work across both the corporate and investment communities, in addition to our work with regulators and standards setters, creates a virtuous cycle. Nasdaq ESG Solutions supports organisations at every phase of their ESG journey providing the data and expertise to meet growing stakeholder expectations and secure long-term capital for growth.
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ReThink HK
ReThink HK is Hong Kong’s best-attended and most ambitious business event for sustainable development with over 8,500 in-person attendees at the 2024 event. The two-day expo and conference have been designed specifically for Hong Kong business leaders, sustainability practitioners and those responsible for researching, resourcing and reporting net-zero and ESG strategies. The 6th edition will be on 11-12 September 2025 at Hall 1 of HKCEC, Hong Kong. Co-organised with the Business Environment Council, the 2024 edition hosted over 8,000 attendees, 500 expert speakers, and an expo with over 300 exhibitors with the products, services, and solutions to accelerate our city towards carbon-neutrality and a circular economy.
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Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS)
Established in 2013, the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) is a uniquely Asian, independent, action-oriented research and advisory organization, committed to improving the quality and quantity of philanthropic giving throughout Asia. Our mission is to improve the social investment sector in Asia by researching and advising best practices, models, policies, and strategies that can contribute to positive system change.
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Sustainable Finance Initiative
SFi is a global platform created by and for Asia Pacific-focused private investors and changemakers, who believe in mobilising private capital for positive impact. We advise, guide and collaborate with impact driven family offices, asset owners, private investors, and financial services professionals to best position their capital for profit and purpose.
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WWF-Hong Kong
WWF-Hong Kong is dedicated to transforming Hong Kong into Asia’s most sustainable city. For over 40 years, we have focused on preserving biodiversity, wetlands, oceans, and wildlife, achieving notable conservation successes. We are now intensifying our efforts and strengthening our partnerships to tackle climate change and foster a sustainable future for both people and nature.
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Business Environment Council
Since its establishment in 1992, BEC has been at the forefront of promoting environmental excellence by advocating the uptake of clean technologies and practices which reduce waste, conserve resources, prevent pollution and improve corporate environmental and social responsibility. BEC offers sustainable solutions and professional services covering advisory, research, assessment, training and award programmes for government, business and the community, thus enabling environmental protection and contributing to the transition to a net-zero economy.
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World Green Organisation
The World Green Organisation (WGO) is an independent non-governmental organisation concerned with environmental conservation and environmentally related livelihood and economic affairs. It provides a holistic approach to a fully integrated three-pronged solution that combines social, environmental and economic dimensions for a paradigm shift towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways.
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Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)
The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member-led organisation established in 2009 and has become a public body under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance since 2016. The HKGBC strives to promote the standard and development of sustainable buildings in Hong Kong. The HKGBC also aims to raise green building awareness by engaging the government, the industry and the public, and to develop practical solutions for Hong Kong’s unique, subtropical built environment of high-rise, high density urban area, leading Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to become a world’s exemplar of green building development. The Founding Members of the HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC).
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Green Queen
Green Queen is a multi-channel digital news platform and a trusted global impact media brand reaching millions of readers globally, as well as the world’s leading food and climate media with a focus on future food innovation and food system decarbonization.
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