The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai in late 2023, or COP28, marked a significant moment in global efforts to address climate change. Representatives from 198 countries grappled with crucial decisions that sets the path for the world’s response to the climate crisis. Key accomplishments included an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, the creation of a fund to help vulnerable countries pay for climate-related damage, and the publication of a landmark assessment of the world’s progress in mitigating climate change.

Hong Kong’s delegation was led by The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr. Tse Chin-wan, who joined discussions at the Local Climate Action Summit. Mr. Tse highlighted Hong Kong’s target to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and to contribute to China’s dual carbon targets, as such four major decarbonization strategies have been set up, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction.

Cancham Hong Kong’s Sustainable Development Committee in conjunction with the Education Committee, brings to you a luncheon event that reviews the breakthrough areas from COP28 and how Hong Kong will implement the path towards climate change. 

The event features mainly speakers and panelists who personally attended COP28 in order to share with us their observations, insights and feelings.  We are pleased to have as our keynote speaker, Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Climate Change Mr. CF Wong to share and discuss the implications from COP28 on Hong Kong.

Panelist Simon Mak from Ascent Partners advised the Sri Lankan government on the Loss & Damage sub-committee, which concluded with the world’s first climate damage fund, will share his views and insights.  Hendrik Rosenthal, Director, Group Sustainability at CLP Holdings Limited, a Board member of the International Emissions Trading Association, will give us a first-hand account of his association’s work at COP28.  A true breakthrough at COP28 was the declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems and climate action. Ms. Sonalie Figueiras, a sustainability expert, food futurist and eco-powerhouse, who attended the sessions on food, will offer her views on the achievements in this important issue. Representing the education sector is Rafi Cristobal, Director of the Social Impact and Sustainability Program at The Harbour School, an award winning educator for developing sustainability programs for schools, will share his views on developing the next generation of thought leaders to drive the climate change agenda. Ms. Patricia Slawinska, founder of Impact Advisory with over 15 years of experience working on corporate development and startups in Asia Pacific and Europe has a deep understanding for organizational alignment and ESG issues will be the moderator of the panel.

Climate change, the energy transition and sustainable economic growth are key issues to us all, both businesses and as individuals.   If you want to hear first-hand of what happened at COP28 and what it means to us, this event will be of interest to you.

Light refreshment and beverages will be served during the event. 

EVENT OVERVIEW

Opening Remarks: Rachael Bedlington, Counsel General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao

Keynote Speaker

C F Wong
Commissioner for Climate Change
Environment and Ecology Bureau
HKSARG

Mr CF Wong is currently the Commissioner for Climate Change in the Environment and Ecology Bureau of HKSARG. He was an Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) before joining the Bureau. Throughout his service with EPD, Mr Wong had taken up a wide range of responsibilities, including international collaboration, development of environmental infrastructures, environmental impact assessment, waste reduction and law enforcement.

THE PANEL

Moderator

Patricia Slawinska
Founder
Impact Advisory

Patricia is the founder of Impact Advisory. With over 15 years of experience in the corporate and startup world in Asia Pacific and Europe, Patricia has a deep understanding for organizational alignment, ESG, and data driven measurements for business growth. With a proven track record in operations, employee engagement and leadership development, she has successfully led teams over 600 members. As a design thinking practitioner and training facilitator for over a decade she believes in empowering individuals to create an inspiring culture of collaboration, equity and inclusion.

Speakers

Hendrik Rosenthal
Director – Group Sustainability
CLP Holdings Limited

Hendrik is responsible for the Group’s sustainability-related strategy, reporting and communications. He supports the senior management in sustainability and climate change-related risk management and advises on sustainability matters of the Group’s power business in the Asia-Pacific region.

With more than 20 years of experience in sustainability and environmental management across the public, private and NGO sectors, Hendrik previously led research and consulting projects in Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Hendrik currently sits on a number of committees on sustainability-related matters, including as Director of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), Co-Chair of the Sustainability Committee for the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and an advisory panel member for the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), amongst others.

Rafi Cristobal
Director, Social Impact and Sustainability Program
The Harbour School Hong Kong

Mr. Rafi Cristobal is an educator and currently serves as the Director of the Social Impact and Sustainability Program at The Harbour School Hong Kong (THS), an award-winning international school. Rafi has focused on his passion and experience to lead a long-term school-wide movement and program on sustainability that has inspired fellow educators to implement actionable sustainable development in a school setting to bring meaningful change.

Rafi’s high-impact projects has achieved the distinction in winning three major awards under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) Achievement Awards 2022 held by Green Council Hong Kong in September 2022. In addition, Rafi has led THS’ overall sustainability efforts on an organizational and strategic level, and contribute to the school’s latest CSR/sustainability achievements.

Rafi and his team are frequent speakers in many schools in Hong Kong and in Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines, and also spoke at the Asia-Pacific International Schools Conference two years running in 2022 and 2023, covering ESG for schools.

Simon Mak
Founder and Chief Executive
Ascent Partners

Simon Mak is the founder and chief executive of Ascent Partners, a corporate valuation and advisory firm based in Hong Kong. He graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science. Mr. Mak is a CFA charter holder, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a member of the Institute of Public Accountant (MIPA). He has extensive experience in financial valuation and sustainability reporting.

Besides his professional work, he is committed to fulfilling his social duty. He serves in a variety of not-for-profit organizations and charities. He is the founding chairman of IP Commercialization Alliance, founding director of Lions Club of Hong Kong IFC, governor and honorary treasurer of Friends of the Earth (HK), member of UN ESCAP ESBN and committee members in a variety of chamber of commerce and trade organizations.

Sonalie Figueiras
Founder & CEO
Green Queen, Ekowarehouse & Source Green

2021 Women of Power, 2019 GEN T Honoree, V Label Global Hero, 2 x TEDx Speaker: Serial social entrepreneur & trends forecaster

Sonalie Figueiras is a sustainability expert, food futurist and eco-powerhouse who has been inspiring global audiences for over a decade with practical steps on how to fight climate change.

Known as the Green Queen of Asia, she is the founder and Editor in Chief of the award-winning Green Queen - the region’s first impact media platform that educates millions of readers on the connection between health, sustainability and the environment and showcases future solutions. She is also the co-founder and CEO of organic sourcing platform Ekowarehouse and climate tech SaaS Source Green, which helps consumer brands quit plastic packaging thanks to proprietary plastic reduction software.

In addition, Sonalie is a global keynote speaker and an advisor to multiple mission-driven startups and NGOs, and a venture partner to several VC funds.

Closing Remarks: Irene Chu, Head of New Economy and Life Sciences, Hong Kong & ESG Advisory, KPMG China

 

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Event Policy: No walk-ins will be accepted.
Photography/Filming: By taking part in this event, you grant the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong full rights to use any images resulting from the photography/video filming.