HKQAA International Sustainability Forum • Hong Kong 2025: Support the Government's Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure, Foster cross-border Cooperation and Green Development
Linked policymakers and business leaders to explore green opportunities and low-carbon transition of the BRI
Sustainable development and low-carbon transition have become a global topic of concern, receiving significant attention from both the business and financial sectors. The Forum invited local and overseas political and business leaders, experts and academics to share their experiences and insights. In the Morning Forum – Seizing Green Finance Opportunities in the Low-Carbon Transition of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area, the special guest speakers included Dr Zhang Jianyu, Chief Development Officer of BRI International Green Development Coalition; Mr Riyadi Suparno, Executive Director of Tenggara Strategics (speaker from Indonesia); Mr Ronnie Tham, Partner at Treo Capital (speaker from Malaysia); and Mr Leo Horn-Phathanothai, Founder and CEO, Just Transitions Incubator (JUTI) (speaker from Thailand).
"We took the lead in launching the Green Finance Certification Scheme in 2018 to help enable Hong Kong to leverage its strengths as a Belt and Road investment and financing platform to attract international capital and boost Belt and Road development. Moreover, we have forged a cooperative relationship with BRI International Green Development Coalition, which is jointly initiated by Ministry of Ecology and Environment of our country and international organisations. We aim to promote exchanges and mutual recognition of carbon standards with BRI countries, strengthen capacity-building training, and foster closer green cooperation," said Ir C. S. Ho, Chairman of the HKQAA.
In the Afternoon Forum – Implementing Sustainable Development and Climate Financial Disclosure, the special guest speakers included Representative of Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau; Ms Janey Lai, Chief Executive Officer, The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council; Mr Leng Bing, Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB); Prof Liu Yifang, Director, Sustainable Standards Research Center, Central University of Finance and Economics, Professor and PhD Supervisor of School of Economics.
Climate Impact GPS Campaign: supporting the Government's roadmap on climate disclosure
HKQAA announced on the event that it took the lead in launching the HKQAA Climate Impact GPS Campaign earlier this year in support of the sustainability disclosure policies of our country and the HKSAR Government. This initiative aims to engage organisations, including the banking sector and the listed companies, in building capacity to address climate-related risks and opportunities so as to well prepare required climate-related financial disclosures by offering industry-based technical guidance, workshops and software tools, including the scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions calculation tool.
The Campaign is open to organisations at no cost, and nearly 90 participating organisations that joined the Pilot Program were recognised on a presentation ceremony in the Afternoon Session. Participating organisations of the Pilot Program gain prior access to preview relevant industry-based technical guidance, as well as participate in workshops and use the tools.
In terms of promoting professional talent development, HKQAA is honoured to be invited to cooperate with the Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau on a sustainability information disclosure pilot and training project, helping the country steadily advance the development of its sustainability disclosure standards system. Moreover, a memorandum of understanding was signed at the Forum by Mr P C Chan, Chief Executive Officer of HKQAA, and Prof Karen Cheung, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development. This memorandum aims to jointly promote the establishment and optimisation of sustainable development talent standards in Hong Kong, enhance talent cultivation and the upgrading of sustainable development skills, effectively drive industry-wide sustainable development, and foster Hong Kong and the entire Greater Bay Area as an international centre for sustainable development talent.
''I would like to take this opportunity to thank the HKQAA for its contributions to the development of green finance in Hong Kong. The HKQAA has been participating in the development of international standards for sustainable finance and launched the Green and Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme (formerly called Green Finance Certification Scheme) in 2018. I am delighted to know that the HKQAA also supports the development of a roadmap for sustainability disclosure in our country by contributing to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Finance and Economy's pilot project for sustainability disclosure and talent development. At home, it has supported Hong Kong's own disclosure roadmap by establishing industry-specific climate risk tools to help local businesses prepare for future reporting requirements," said Mr Christopher Hui, GBS, JP, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, in his remarks via video.
Introducing the Effectiveness and Potential Application of Structural Data Disclosure Model for Sustainability Disclosure
HKQAA introduced a brand-new structural data disclosure model in 2024, named the "Nexus Data Model". With the meaning of nexus, the objective of the data model is to link material sustainability issues and to connect all stakeholders together. This model is already applied to HKQAA ESG Connect Program, Hong Kong Registration and will be used for other engagement, disclosure or assessment services in the future application.
As the evaluation project leader of this data disclosure model, Professor Zhang Lin, School of Energy and Environment of the City University of Hong Kong, shared on the Afternoon Forum the team's finding based on data obtained from the HKQAA ESG Connect Program. The results confirmed that the data model effectively encourages businesses to adopt ESG initiatives and disclose progress on ESG, Carbon Action, Climate Response, and CBAM Ready, while strengthening stakeholder connections. Ultimately, it fosters a sustainable ESG Ecosystem, driving long-term ESG development.
Establishing strategic partnership to promote high-quality development in the GBA
On the Forum, under the witness of Mr P C Chan, Chief Executive Officer of HKQAA, and Mr Gao Guosheng, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation, Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary General of the Guangdong Intellectual Property Administration, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Mr K T Ting, HKQAA's Chief Operating Officer, and Mr Lu Yongchi, Chief Operation Officer of The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Certification Promotion Centre. This memorandum aims to deepen cooperation in the field of testing and certification, advance the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promote the alignment of regulatory mechanisms between the mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao regions, and support the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area.
Co-hosting green industry themed forum with the People's Government of Nanping
Nanping is endeavouring to become the country's model city of green development, flourishing through its green industries. Co-hosted by HKQAA and the People's Government of Nanping, Fujian Province, Thematic Forum – Shaping a Sustainable and Livable City: Green Industry, Shared by the World focused on topics of carbon measurement, value of ecological products, and the bamboo industry. Mr Wei Dunsheng, Deputy Mayor of Nanping Municipal People's Government, Fujian Province, was the officiating guest of the Thematic Forum.
Launched a silver-friendly registration scheme to support the Government's silver economy policy
The presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Green and Sustainability Contribution Awards 2025 was held on the event. The Awards aim to encourage companies to incorporate sustainable practices into their management decisions and daily operations, and recognise their efforts and contributions. Ｏrganisations and venues from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas were honoured.
This year, "Promote High-Quality Elderly Living", "Promote Silver-friendly Community" and "Promote Halai-friendly Community" categories were newly added to the Awards. The awards of "Promote High-Quality Elderly Living" and "Promote Silver-friendly Community" were presented by Dr Bernard Chan, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the HKSAR, who also officiated the Thematic Forum – Pathways to the Sustainable Development of the Silver Economy.
HKQAA has been launching various certification and registration schemes in line with government policy directions to continuously enhance the professionalism and recognition of the industry. To support the Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, HKQAA has introduced the HKQAA Hong Kong Registration – Silver-friendly Series. This series aims to guide enterprises in tapping into the silver market through three main aspects – venues, products and services, while also creating a better living environment for the elderly. HKQAA will continue to promote the registration scheme, encouraging more enterprises to participate and jointly respond to the government's policy of promoting the silver economy.
"I would like to thank the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency for taking the lead in launching the 'Hong Kong Registration – Silver-Friendly Series' in support of the Government's efforts to promote the silver economy. This registration scheme sets out a set of criteria from the perspective of silver consumers, guiding enterprises to enhance their venues, products, and services. I also call on more enterprises to actively take part in the scheme by integrating silver-friendly elements into their daily operations and creating a consumption environment that better caters to the needs and preferences of the silver generation, thereby boosting "silver consumption" and driving economic growth," said Dr Bernard Chan, JP, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, in his remarks.
Organisation's Sharing on Sustainability Strategies
JEC has been a long-standing ally in Hong Kong's sustainability efforts, aligning with the 2050 Net-Zero mission by providing innovative sustainability solutions to both public and private sectors for decades. JEC's AI digital solution and environmental engineering projects deliver real ESG impact, transforming how businesses and cities thrive sustainably. Regarding JEC's innovations are shaping a more sustainable Hong Kong, JEC's vision is to pioneer even smarter and more sustainable engineering innovations, making them accessible across Hong Kong and Asia. JEC's mission contributes to Hong Kong's 2050 Net-Zero future. JEC looks forward to connecting with all sectors to shape a greener tomorrow.
First, JEDI, JEC's AI digital solution, optimizes energy and detects faults in buildings. Its algorithms analyze weather forecasts, past energy consumption, equipment pattern and utility bills to build predictive models, ensuring precise energy management. In 2024, JEDI saved over 8 million kilowatt-hJEC'ss and cut over 4 million kilograms of CO2 across grade A commercial buildings, campuses, and transport hubs in APAC. By analysing real-time data, like chiller performance, it slashes energy costs by 8-26%. For instance, in a commercial tower, JEDI's fault detection reduced downtime, boosting efficiency and meeting BEAM Plus standards.
Next, through working with the government, JEC's environmental engineering projects strengthen Hong Kong's sustainability. The Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant, launched in 2023, uses reverse osmosis to supply ultimately increase to 135,000 million litres, equivalent to around 5% of Hong Kong's potable water demand. Its solar panels generate renewable energy to account for 16% of total energy usage, reducing grid dependence by 30% and earning BEAM Plus Platinum certification. The Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works employs advanced treatment technology, enhancing water quality and earning a 2021 HKIBIM Bronze.
At O·PARK2, JEC's waste-to-energy facility handles food waste daily through anaerobic digestion to create biogas for electricity production. This process contributes to exporting significant amounts of energy annually, powering local households, and effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions. JEC's Pilot Biochar Production Plant in EcoPark, Tuen Mun, processes tonnes of woody waste annually to produce tonnes of biochar, reducing emissions and serving as a soil conditioner and pollutant filter.
Hashtag: #HKQAA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Zawya
Queen Alia Airport records 4.4mln passengers in H1 2025
Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan served 4,406,690 passengers in the first half of 2025, marking a 6 per cent growth over H1 2024. This increase was fueled by the return of regional and European routes and heightened travel during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. However, QAIA experienced a 16.6 per cent decrease in June 2025 due to regional tensions and flight disruptions. In H1 2025, QAIA experienced a significant rebound in airline activity, with the resumption of services by several carriers and the introduction of new airlines and routes. The airport also saw a significant rebound in airline activity, with flyadeal and Ajet resumed operations, Royal Jordanian expanded its global network, and Libyan Wings and SunExpress commenced operations. A key sustainability milestone was the inauguration of the Shams al Mattar Lil-Taqa Solar Farm in April, which generates over 10.5 GWh of electricity annually and reduces approximately 12,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. In January, ground handlers Menzies Aviation and Aviation Handling Services opened a second 8,000 sqm air cargo facility, doubling QAIA's cargo handling capacity and creating new employment opportunities. QAIA's commitment to customer satisfaction was reaffirmed in March when it was named the 'Most Enjoyable Airport in the Middle East' for the second time, following the successful renewal of Level 3 of the ACI World Airport Customer Experience Accreditation in February. The airport also signed a strategic agreement with Extime JCDecaux Airport to deploy innovative and sustainable advertising solutions. The Airport International Group Foundation (AIGF) initiated a new round of vocational training courses via its 'Hirfati' training center, registering a 20 per cent increase in applications. Reflecting on the accomplishments of the past six months, Nicolas Deviller, Jordan Airport International Group CEO, stated, 'The first half of 2025 emphasises the enduring strength of QAIA as a vital national asset and a cornerstone of Jordan's air transport sector. In the face of regional adversity, we remained focused on growing our traffic and delivering impactful projects, innovative enhancements and passenger-centric services that uphold the highest international standards and shape QAIA into a welcoming airport that feels like home. With the steadfast support of our employees, partners and stakeholders, we are confident that the foundations laid during this period will drive success throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.' Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
ADAFSA releases Abu Dhabi Date Varieties Guide
Abu Dhabi: In conjunction with the launch of the 21st Liwa Date Festival 2025, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) released the Abu Dhabi Date Varieties Guide, a comprehensive reference for the most prominent date varieties in the emirate. ADAFSA's pavilion at the festival will witness promoting the guide to help farmers, visitors, and stakeholders know more about the palm farming and date production. Featuring 61 date varieties classified by their environmental and geographical traits, the guide clarifies varieties suitable for arid regions and others adapted to high-humidity coastal areas. The guide further provides in-depth details on ripening times, production rates, unique traits for each variety, and recommendations to improve quality and productivity. The guide highlights several prominent date varieties, including "Fard," widely grown in Abu Dhabi, particularly in Al Ain region. It is a commercial variety consumed both as fully ripe (Rutab), and dry (Tamer). Another variety is "Dabbas," a commercially significant variety thrives in arid environments such as the Al Dhafra region. Furthermore, the guide introduces "Naghal" dates, an early-maturing variety of high economic value, primarily consumed as fully ripe (Rutab). In this regard, ADAFSA emphasized that releasing this guide aligns with its strategy to promote sustainable agriculture and provide farmers with accurate information for selecting environmentally appropriate varieties. Moreover, the guide will contribute to preserving the diversity of local varieties while enhancing the economic value of the emirate's date palm sector. According to ADAFSA, the guide serves as a technical reference for farmers and professionals to improve agricultural productivity and food security through cultivation of high-quality local cultivars. The Authority emphasized that publishing such guides reinforces its efforts to promote Abu Dhabi's position as a leading hub for sustainable agriculture, aligning with Abu Dhabi's vision for comprehensive and sustainable development. The guide is available to the public on ADAFSA's website. It will also be distributed to farmers as part of ADAFSA's awareness programs and initiatives, to ensure its information is accessible to all target groups, with a focus on visitors of the Liwa Date Festival 2025.
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Africa's Business Heroes Unveils Top 50 Finalists for 2025 Edition Record-Breaking Number of Applications, Spanning all 54 African Nations
Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) ( the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Alibaba Philanthropy, is proud to announce the Top 50 finalists of its 2025 Prize Competition—marking a record-breaking year for participation and regional representation. This year, ABH received 32,000 applications, the highest in the competition's history, with submissions from all 54 African countries – reinforcing ABH's status as one of the continent's largest and most inclusive entrepreneurial competitions. The 2025 Top 50 provides an overview of Africa's entrepreneurial landscape. African businesses are increasingly leveraging technology, including fintech, AI, and digital platforms, to transform sectors such as finance, education, and healthcare. Sustainability-driven innovations in agriculture and renewable energy address critical challenges while promoting eco-friendly growth. These trends have significant socio-economic impacts, fostering job creation, financial inclusion, and improved access to essential services. The data underscores opportunities in scalable, tech-enabled, and sustainable businesses poised to drive Africa's inclusive economic growth. Now in its 7th year, ABH continues its mission to spotlight and empower entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and building a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa. Each year, the competition awards US$1.5 million in grant funding to 10 outstanding entrepreneurs. In addition to funding, ABH provides the Top 50 finalists with capacity-building, mentorship, and enhanced exposure. Dramatic Growth in Reach The 2025 call for applications not only broke records in volume but also marked an over 300% increase in applications from countries traditionally underrepresented in pan-African competitions, including Algeria, Tunisia, Togo, Gabon, South Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Mauritius. This surge signals the deepening of ABH's grassroots appeal and accessibility, as well as reflecting the impressive health of entrepreneurship across the African continent. Bringing ABH to the Continent: 9-City Roadshow As part of its 2025 campaign, the ABH team embarked on an ambitious 9-city roadshow, connecting in person with entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders in Casablanca, Cairo, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Abidjan and Dakar —the host city for this year's Semi-Finale, scheduled for September 10–11. These on-the-ground engagements reflect ABH's commitment to being more than a competition—it is a community-builder and ecosystem enabler. The roadshow activated local entrepreneurial ecosystems, engaged past ABH Heroes, hosted info sessions, and facilitated connections between investors, innovators, and changemakers. Harnessing Technology to Scale Impact 2025 also marked a milestone in ABH's embrace of innovation. For the first time, ABH introduced ABi, its AI-powered co-host built on Qwen Turbo and first unveiled at the 6 th ABH Summit&Finale held in Kigali in March 2025, to enhance applicant experience and streamline operations. ABi supported the competition by providing real-time customer service to thousands of applicants and assisting in screening the eligibility of submissions—demonstrating how technology can improve both efficiency and inclusivity. Celebrating the 2025 Top 50 The 2025 Top 50 finalists represent the next generation of African changemakers. They span 16 sectors and hail from 17 countries, with 36 % female representation and 10% Francophone entrepreneurs, reflecting ABH's ongoing commitment to gender and linguistic diversity. These entrepreneurs were selected for their bold solutions, measurable impact, and potential for scale across Africa. As part of the next stage of the competition, the Top 50 will participate in the ABH Virtual Bootcamp, an intensive training program featuring workshops led by ecosystem leaders, investors, and ABH Heroes. Topics will include building resilient teams, investment readiness, leveraging AI, and digital marketing for growth. 'The 2025 ABH Prize has raised the bar, yet again. We are seeing greater depth, diversity, and innovation across the span of applications,' said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Managing Director, Africa at ABH. 'This record-breaking year speaks to the relevance of ABH in every corner of the continent. These 50 finalists are solving real problems with global potential, and we're excited to amplify their work.' In addition to training and mentorship, the Top 50 will benefit from media exposure and access to a dynamic network of ABH Heroes, alumni, and partners. Looking Ahead The Top 50 will now undergo a second round of evaluations through in-depth interviews with ABH Round 2 judges. 22 entrepreneurs will be shortlisted to undergo due diligence led by PlusVC. Those who advance will be revealed as the Top 20 finalists in August, before heading to Dakar for the Semi-Finale in September. The Top 10 finalists selected in Dakar will then progress to the Grand Finale in Kigali in December, where they will compete for their share of US$1.5 million in grant funding and be crowned this year's Africa's Business Heroes. To learn more about the 2025 ABH Top 50 finalists and the competition, visit Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa's Business Heroes (ABH). For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: pr@ About Africa's Business Heroes: Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation's flagship philanthropic initiative in Africa. It supports visionary entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries who are building inclusive and sustainable economies. Over 10 years, ABH will recognize 100 entrepreneurs, awarding them with grant funding, training, and a platform to amplify their stories. Each year, the Top 10 finalists compete in a televised pitch finale for a share of US$1.5 million.
