Hong Kong’s financial sector plays a pivotal role in the global transition to a net-zero economy. As part of the ongoing efforts under Business Environment Council (“BEC”) Climate Change Business Forum Advisory Group (“CCBF AG”) to strategically integrate climate risk into financial planning and corporate governance, it is critical for senior executives to stay abreast of global sustainable finance trends.
We were honoured to host Mr Ian Simm, Founder and Chief Executive of Impax Asset Management. Drawing from his extensive experience advising the UK government and leading a US$35 billion global asset management firm specialised on environmental markets and sustainable transition, Ian delivered a brief presentation on his investment philosophy and recent sustainability policy developments in Europe. Following the presentation, our host, Mr Merlin Lao, Head – Policy & Research, Business Environment Council, joined Ian for an insightful fireside chat. Together, they explored how to navigate market uncertainties, drive climate transition, and build adaptation and resilience within the Hong Kong and China markets.
Event Details
Date: 31 March 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m. (Registration starts at 3:30 p.m.)
Venue: BEC Auditorium, G/F, 77 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong (Map)
Language: English
Fee: Free of charge (registration is required)
Programme
| Time | Activity |
| 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 4:00 – 4:05 p.m. |
Opening and Introduction
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| 4:05 – 4:25 p.m. |
Keynote Presentation
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| 4:25 – 4:50 p.m. |
Fireside Chat: Navigating Climate Transition, Adaptation and Resilience
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| 4:50 – 5:00 p.m. |
Q&A Session and Closing |
Speakers *arranged in order of appearance
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Mr Ian Simm Ian Simm is the Founder and Chief Executive of Impax Asset Management Group plc, one of the world’s leading investment managers focused on the transition to a more sustainable economy, with offices and clients in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Outside Impax, Ian is a member of the UK government’s Net Zero Council, which provides strategic leadership to support delivery of the government’s low carbon objectives, and its Net Zero Innovation Board, which provides strategic oversight of public sector funding of energy innovation programmes. He is a board member of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, the European membership body for investor collaboration on addressing climate change a commissioner with the Energy Transitions Commission, a global coalition of leaders developing transition roadmaps to achieve net-zero emissions, and the chair of the Net Zero Committee of the Confederation of British Industry. His past roles include being a board member of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the UK’s leading funding agency for environmental science, and a Commissioner with the Severn Estuary Commission. Prior to Impax, Ian was an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company advising clients on environmental strategy. Ian has a first-class honours degree in physics from Cambridge University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University. After his first degree he initiated and led an expedition to complete the first summer crossing of the Sahara Desert by tandem bicycle.
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Mr Merlin Lao Mr Merlin Lao is Head – Policy & Research at BEC. He leads the team to develop clear policy positions on pressing climate and environmental topics in Hong Kong, through undertaking research on latest domestic and international trends, engaging with the Hong Kong SAR Government and connecting insights of the local business sector. He is keen on net-zero transition that not only looks at decarbonisation, but also a more equal and liveable built environment. Mr Lao is a programme management professional with over 10 years of climate change and environment career experience across private, public and non-profit sectors in East Asia, with major exposure in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea. Prior to joining BEC, he was the senior programme manager at an international non-governmental organisation driving sustainable cities agenda in China, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea, covering topics such as air quality, low-emission development, urban resilience, circular economy and nature-based solutions.
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