BEC EnviroSeries Conference May 2026

9:00 – 9:30a.m.

Conference Registration

Opening Remarks
Mr Kevin O’Brien, Chairman, Business Environment Council

Keynote Speech

Financing the Future: The Economic Blueprint for a Sustainable and Globally Competitive Northern Metropolis

9:50 – 10:50a.m.

Session 1: Catalysing the Transition: The Power of Partnership in Financing the Future

While the government has committed a historic HK$150 billion from the Exchange Fund to spearhead Northern Metropolis infrastructure, building the metropolis without exhausting public reserves requires new collaborative funding models. This session unpacks the emerging role of Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnerships ("PPPP") in mobilising the massive capital required. The discussion will explore how blended capital is needed to de-risk early-stage green infrastructure, making them attractive for private corporate investment and green bond issuance. Panellists will debate practical frameworks for these tri-sector partnerships, ensuring that financial returns align with public good, green job creation, and ecological conservation.

Networking Break

11:20 – 12:20p.m.

Session 2: Green Tech and New Industries: Decarbonisation as a Growth Strategy

Aligning seamlessly with national strategies to develop new productive forces, this session reframes decarbonisation from a compliance burden into a catalyst for technological and industrial growth. As massive hubs like the San Tin Technopole and Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park take shape with the Government’s commitment of capital injection, embedding international green standards will be the key differentiator in attracting top-tier global enterprises. Discussions will focus on how integrating AI, energy-efficient digital infrastructure, and circular manufacturing principles can nurture a new ecosystem of green industries. We will explore how businesses can leverage this transition to drive innovation, reduce emissions, and generate highly skilled green jobs within the Northern Metropolis.

Panel Discussion

• Mr Victor Cheng, Director of Sustainability, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park 
• Mr Chun Yin Mak, Global Senior Vice President, Univers
• Dr Paul Kau, Managing Director, Earth & Environment, Hong Kong & Mainland China, WSP (Asia) Limited
• Representative from Cleantech Building Materials 

12:20 – 2:00p.m.

Lunch Break

2:00 – 2:10p.m.

Keynote Speech

Envisioning a World-Class Metropolis: Where Nature and Resilience Drive Prosperity

• Ir Michael Fong, JP, Director of Civil Engineering and Development

Presentation

• ​​​Prof Shauhrat S. Chopra, Associate Dean of School of Energy and Environment (SEE), City University of Hong Kong

2:20 – 3:20p.m.

Session 3: The Business Case for Natural Capital: Investing in Blue-Green Infrastructure

Hong Kong and the Northern Metropolis boast top-notch wetlands and ecological corridors, yet stakeholders frequently struggle to identify the commercial rationale for protecting them. This session tackles that challenge head-on by exploring the tangible business cases for integrating nature into corporate strategy. With the backdrop of the Government’s announced HK$200 million Northern Metropolis Urban-Rural Integration Fund, panelists will dive into topics like commercially viable models for the proposed wetland conservation parks, exploring high-quality ecotourism, corporate-sponsored biodiversity net-gain initiatives in property development, and the emerging field of natural capital accounting. The goal is to demonstrate how businesses can actively invest in the region's ecological wealth to generate brand value, engage stakeholders, and enhance the overall livability of the area.

Panel Discussion

Moderator: Dr Andy Cornish, Founder & Chief Strategist, Cornerstone Strategies

• Mr Stuart Beavis, Regional Lead, Dutch Fund for Climate and Development and Senior Advisor, Sustainable Finance, WWF-Hong Kong
• Mr Eddie Tse, Group Sustainability Manager, Gammon Construction Limited
• Mr Stephen Suen, Director, AECOM

3:20 – 3:50p.m.

Networking Break

3:50 – 4:50p.m.

Session 4: Systemic Resilience: Managing Physical Climate Risks Across Industries and Supply Chains

A resilient economic hub must be built to withstand the escalating realities of a changing climate. In addition to lens from real estate development, this session addresses the systemic physical risks that may threaten the operational ecosystem of the Northern Metropolis. The panel will examine how extreme weather, flooding, and sea-level rise impact interconnected supply chains, logistics hubs, and critical infrastructure. Discussions will highlight cross-sector adaptation strategies, the financial implications of unmitigated risk for banks and insurers, and how robust resilience planning ensures uninterrupted business continuity across the border and beyond.

Panel Discussion

• Mr Mike Ng, Associate Director – Project Development & Management, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited 
• Ir Dr Bruce Chong, Fellow & Director, ARUP
• Ms Jessica Chan, Head of Sustainability, MTR Corporation Limited
• Representative from HKUST

4:50 – 4:55p.m.

Closing Remarks
Mr Simon Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Business Environment Council