Decarbonising Hong Kong: Roadmap to a World Class Metropolis

Simon Ng
CEO | Business Environment Council

Mr Simon Ng is Chief Executive Officer of Business Environment Council. He works closely with BEC Board of Directors in setting and implementing organisation goals and strategies conducive to supporting BEC members and the wider business community in the transition towards net-zero economy and a sustainable Hong Kong. Mr Ng runs BEC’s daily operations, leads BEC’s policy contributions, and ensures BEC’s continuing relevance in bringing and creating value to its stakeholders and the community at large. He is also the Vice-Chair of BEC’s three Advisory Groups.

 Mr Ng has over 25 years of experience in academic and policy research, project management and stakeholder engagement. In particular, Mr Ng is known for his ground-breaking work on ship emissions inventory and evidence-based control policy in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, and his instrumental role in the Fair Winds Charter – a voluntary business initiative to reduce ship emissions. Before taking the CEO position, Mr Ng was BEC’s Director of Policy & Research for 3 years. Prior to joining BEC, he was Chief Research Officer of a Hong Kong based think tank, and held teaching and research positions in several local universities. Currently, Mr Ng is a Member of the Advisory Council on the Environment, and the Harbourfront Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Internationally, Mr Ng is an Expert Member of the UNCRD Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport Forum in Asia since 2006.

Russell Fortmeyer
Global Sustainability Leader | Woods Bagot & US LEED Fellow

An engineer and educator working for the past 20 years in sustainability at a variety of scales, Russell works with clients and design teams to develop viable and effective sustainability strategies that address the climate crisis and its effects on our cities, people, economy, and environment.

In his role as Woods Bagot’s Global Sustainability Leader, Russell manages our internal commitments to climate action through our Global Impact strategy that implements Environment, Social, and Governance goals within our three key categories of Design, Operations, and Advocacy. He has worked to shepherd our studios toward a goal of zero carbon in operation by 2023 and a commitment of zero carbon for all new projects by 2030.

Prior to joining Woods Bagot, Russell led sustainable design for the Los Angeles office of the global engineering firm, Arup. His design work includes the LEED Platinumcertified Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center and the net-zero-energy design for the US Embassy in Beirut. In 2019, he was the curator of the US Pavilion, RECKONstruct, at the Milan Triennale, which focused on materials lifecycle assessments and the emerging circular economy. He also led the technical team for the Green New Deal for the City of Los Angeles released in 2019, which mapped a pathway to zero emissions by 2050. Russell has taught environmental systems at the Southern California Institute of Architecture since 2011. His research includes a 2014 book on façade design, Kinetic Architecture, and a 2016 Bellagio Fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation to advance his study of air quality in urban public spaces

Eddie Tse
Head of Sustainability | Gammon Construction

Eddie has more than 26 years experience in construction and environmental field and specializes in sediment and land contamination assessment and remediation, carbon/energy management, renewable energy projects and waste/asbestos management. In Gammon, He has been involved in a number of infrastructure and building projects such as road and drainage, site formation and land decontamination, railway, power plant emission control facility, tunnel and rock cavern and Tamar development.

 He is the Vice Chairman of Environment Committee, Hong Kong Construction Association and steering committee member of Circular Economy Advisory Group of Business Environment Council. He is appointed as a construction advisor in development of Construction Industry Council Carbon Assessment Tool and Sustainable Finance Certification scheme. He is also appointed by Environment Bureau and Hong Kong Green Building Council to be a member of Working Group for the Review of the Air Quality Objectives (2030) and a co-opted member of Infrastructure Rating System Committee as well as Climate Change Framework for Building & Construction Expert Group under Sustainable Development Committee respectively.

 Eddie graduated from the Department of Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia in Canada, and has a Master of Science (Major in Environmental Engineering) degree from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

 Eddie is a Fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals, Certified Carbon Auditor (Cement/Steel/Concrete) under the CIC Green Product Certification Scheme, Certified Energy Manager/Carbon Audit Professional of US Association of Energy Engineer and a Qualified Project Assessor of BREEAM Infrastructure (formerly CEEQUAL, UK BRE). He is also a CIC Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme Assessor and a Certified ESG Analyst CESGA® of The European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies.

Steve Lewis
Partner - Head of Infrastructure, Major Programmes and Construction Advisory | EY

An experienced Chartered Surveyor and EY Partner with experience of working with organisations at a strategic, programme and project level in both the private & public sectors in the UK, China, Middle East and AsPac.

Steve has extensive experience advising on a range of fast moving and complex projects in a variety of roles spanning the asset lifecycle and as a lead adviser on a large range of infrastructure and other built asset construction and operation programmes. Steve has held roles in Government, quasi-Government and private sector programmes including the provision of advice in respect of infrastructure digitalisation and technology enabled development and operation, setting up complex projects and managing all elements of delivery, operation, construction, asset management, procurement and contract strategy, risk management, project controls structures, systems and methodologies and major programme organisational design.

Steve has long been an advisor to both the Hong Kong and the UK Government on how digitalisation in the built environment can drive improved performance from social, environmental, and economic perspectives.

Diane Wong
Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology | Government of HKSAR

Appointed in August 2022, Miss Wong previously held the role of Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (Environmental Hygiene) since 2018.

Miss Wong joined the Administrative Service in 1985 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in 2020. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Transport Branch, the former Housing Branch, the Home Affairs Department, the Development Bureau and the former Food and Health Bureau.

Miss Wong holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree (First Class Honours) from the University of Hong Kong.

Julian Bott
Managing Director, APAC | Cundall

Julian is the Asia Pacific Managing Director for Cundall, a global sustainable engineering consultancy. He has worked extensively throughout Asia and Australia on office design, mixed use, and master planning projects. Julian now focuses his efforts on the exciting field of Net Zero buildings and precincts. Through this work he has faced the challenge of agile working within his own teams and on behalf of external clients as Covid19 necessitated the move towards remote working. Cundall are now seeing the beginnings of a new shift in office design as organisations look to consolidate space and create workplaces that will engage staff and clients.

Hannah Jeong
Head of Valuation & Advisory | Colliers

Hannah Jeong oversees the Hong Kong operations for the valuation and advisory services team at Colliers, including developing client relationships, delivering major reports and looking at new initiatives to strengthen Colliers’ position as a market leader.

Hannah joined Colliers in 2006 as Graduate Surveyor and has continued her journey in Colliers for fifteen years. In addition to CVAS, she worked for both the Research and Capital Markets & Investment Departments during her training period. She has a wealth of experience with REITs and Logistics & Data Centres. Due to her unique ability to attract business, understand her markets and manage people well, she has risen through the ranks quickly, and now heads the department.

Hannah has extensive valuation & advisory service experience over eighteen years including property investment and development projects specialising in valuation, development consultancy, financial analysis and feasibility studies. Her projects' geographic coverage spans Asia Pacific and the Middle East, in particular Hong Kong and China. Hannah leads the Hong Kong Valuation and Advisory Services (CVAS) team comprising more than 60 staff. She manages the valuation and advisory work for global real estate funds and private equity firms such as AEW, AIA, Angelo Gordon, Blackstone, Goodman Asia, Link REIT, LOGOS, and Manulife.

Hannah was also elected as a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Registered Valuer in 2009 and a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors in 2012. Hannah sits on the AustCham Property & Infrastructure Committee, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Hong Kong Executive committee and the ULI Women in Leadership committee. She is a member of Women In Business (WIB) at Colliers where she advocates for female leadership and gender diversity and equality in the real estate sector.

Melanie Kwok
Assistant General Manager Sustainability | Sino Group

Melanie is the Assistant General Manager (Sustainability) of Sino Group, she oversees a range of sustainability projects related to ESG Stakeholder, Stakeholder Engagement and Heritage Conservation. Being a specialist in the realm of Sustainable Development, Melanie has also gained extensive experiences in Sustainable Tourism and Stakeholder Engagement.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Management from the Imperial College London, a Master Degree of Science in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Postgraduate Degree in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge. She is also a certified Sustainable Tourism Professional by Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Dr. Ronald Lu
Founder & Chairman | Ronald Lu & Partners

Dr. Ronald Lu is well-known for his expertise in changing people’s lives and creating a better world through architecture.

An alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of New South Wales, Dr Lu founded Ronald Lu & Partners in 1976 on the premise that architecture has the power to change lives and make the world a better place. He continues to believe this today. Among the hundreds of projects on which Dr Lu has worked, he particularly enjoyed collaborating with the master architect Frank Gehry on Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre at Tuen Mun Hospital, a space that provides a healing experience and promotes mental wellness in cancer patients, their caretakers and families through its carefully-designed features.

Grace Kwok
Chairman and Executive Director | Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited (AEC Group)

Ms. Grace Kwok has over 20 years' experiences in acoustics, environmental and sustainability consultancy. She specializes in environmental impact assessment and built environmental studies for sustainable building design. As a member of HKGBC Green Building Faculty, BEAM Expert Panel and USGBC Faculty with qualifications including BEAM Pro, LEED AP, BREEAM AP, GBL Manager and ISAP, she has the privilege to work on the first batch of green building projects in Hong Kong. She is the first LEED Fellow in Hong Kong and serves the ESG Advisors Club of British Research Establishment (BRE). Currently, Ms. Kwok is the Founding Vice President of Greater Bay Area Carbon Neutrality Association, Director of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, and a member of Real Estate Standards Committee of GRESB Foundation.

Other than being a green building expert, Grace is also an experienced acoustician and sustainability practitioner. She has a broad range of experiences in formulating sustainability strategies and frameworks, as well as providing strategic advice to corporates for enhancing their sustainability performance, covering various international sustainability assessment standards.

Professor Linda Chelan Li
Professor of Political Science at the Department of Public Policy | City University of Hong Kong

Professor Linda Chelan Li is Professor of Political Science at the Department of Public Policy, City University of Hong Kong. She stresses the role of collaboration as well as conflict in understanding politics and public policy. Her major areas of research include intergovernmental relations, government reforms, public finance, cross-border relations and sustainable development. Some major works include Centre and Provinces: China, 1978-1993. Power as non-zero-sum  (Oxford, Clarendon, 1998), Towards Responsible Government in East Asia (Routledge, 2009), Rural Tax Reform in China (Routledge, 2012), and more recently, Co-evolution of Hong Kong’s Professional Services and the Belt and Road Initiative (in Chinese, 2019), and Facts and Analysis: Canvassing Covid-19 Responses (2021), both by City University of Hong Kong Press.

Professor Li is the founding director of Research Centre for Sustainable Hong Kong (CSHK) at City University of Hong Kong, which espouses the aim of conducting cross-disciplinary and cross-sector applied research with real-life impacts in Hong Kong and the Region. Professor Li is currently leading “CSHK on Covid-19”, a collaborative project under CSHK to collate and analyze essential data on the case developments and policy response of different jurisdictions to Covid-19, with participation of a cross-national team spanning Europe, Asia and America.

Ir Sr Jonathan Lee
Deputy Managing Director, Technical, Safety and Sustainability (TSS) | Savills

Ir Sr Jonathan Lee, Deputy Managing Director of Savills Services Group, is an all-round professional with more than 25 years of solid and distinctive experience in the property & facility management, technical & engineering services and ESG sectors.

His managed buildings comprise office tower, commercial arcade, residential estate, institution, REIT, government property, luxury villas and industrial building, with over 150 million square feet of GFA. He is a Chartered Surveyor (FRICS, FHKIS, RPS), Chartered Engineer (FHKIE, RPE) and Green Building Professionals (GB Faculty, BEAM Pro, LEED AP). Jonathan is also a veteran member of various professional bodies, for instance, the Past President of Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society (BSOMES), Vice President of The Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management, Vice Chairman of Property and Facility Management Division of The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Director of BEAM Society Limited as well as Former Committee Member of Building Services Division in The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.

In view of green concepts prevailing to new construction triggered by the incentive of GFA concession, Jonathan is active to promote the sustainability features for the existing properties and recognition with good green practices. In the past 12 months, there are 22 properties granted for Excellent Awards of BEAM Plus EB MAN under his leadership and technical guidance. In addition to the best management practices, he is also keen to adapt the latest technologies for enhancing the ESG performance, e.g. energy efficient systems, AI, IoT, data analysis, robotics, etc.

Colin Hong
Director of Engineering (HK) | Link REIT

Ir Mr. Colin Hong, Director of Engineering (HK) – Link Asset Management Limited Colin Hong joined Link Asset Management Limited (LAML) in 2010 and responsible for engineering works and repair and maintenance. He has over 35-year experiences in building services industry. Before joining Link, he has been worked in contractors, consultants and landlords and has been involved in various infrastructure, residential and commercial projects in Hong Kong, China, Macau, and Middle East. Colin has extensive experiences in the building service design, operations, repair and maintenance, energy efficiency and conservation. He is currently the Director of Engineering for LAML, responsible for leading an engineering team to manage building services installation for development projects, asset enhancement projects, as well as energy saving initiatives and renewable energy projects. He also participates in acquisition projects in Hong Kong, mainland China and oversea. Colin also serves as a sustainability committee, responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of company’s sustainability strategy. He is particularly focusing on strategies for energy management and decarbonization.