Bring together international experts to navigate transition finance, social impact investing and decarbonization technologies
Finance Secretary Paul Chan to deliver opening speech
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – September 19, 2023 – The Hong Kong Chamber of Listed Companies (CHKLC) will host the 2023 ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum on October 4. In its third edition, the Forum is the best time to prepare local companies for stricter climate-related disclosure requirements and to stay ahead of their ESG plans in the areas of transition financing, impact investments social and decarbonization technologies. Hang Seng Bank remains steadfast in its commitment as title sponsor, while Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po will deliver the opening speech. The opening session will continue with remarks from CHKLC President Catherine Leung and Hang Seng Bank Executive Director and Managing Director Diana Cesar. The Forum will bring together more than 20 experts from international financial institutes, listed companies, regulators and technology start-ups to share their thoughts and experiences around the theme “Combat climate risks and achieve a sustainable future: transition financing and innovative technologies”. .
Transition financing and innovation technology to support the low-carbon transition
Managing climate risks is one of the most significant challenges businesses face in recent years due to mitigation costs and increased disclosure requirements. By January 2024, it is proposed that climate-related disclosures will be mandatory in listed companies’ ESG reports. Many traditional businesses with higher GHG emissions are eager to transition to low-carbon and low-emission operations through business transformation. Transition finance plays a central role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. With this in mind, Hang Seng Bank offers various financial products to support the sustainability efforts of corporate clients. These include sustainability-linked loans, green trade finance and green receivables financing solutions, all designed to integrate sustainability into business packages.
Social impact investments to connect with communities
As a corporate citizen, committing to meeting social needs and connecting with the community is also considered alignment with ESG requirements. Companies are increasingly pushing to address social concerns in addition to environmental needs, with some even taking the lead in social impact investing. Decarbonization technologies have also been developed in response to climate risks and can be of great help to businesses in achieving low carbon operations.
4 discussion panels to address current ESG topics
All these crucial questions will therefore be at the center of discussions during the next ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum 2023, which will be addressed during the following 4 round tables.
(1) Panel 1: Transition Financing – Trends, Opportunities and Challenges
Transition financing involves providing financial support that helps carbon-intensive businesses start implementing long-term changes to become greener. The characteristics and practices of transition financing, as well as how Hong Kong and GBA businesses can best use it in their climate change efforts will be discussed.
(2) Panel 2: Social impact investments for sustainable growth
Beyond decarbonization, funding should also be directed towards projects with a positive social impact. This session will introduce social impact investing as a means to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and assess current efforts in Hong Kong and the GBA.
(3) Panel 3: Regulatory updates on ESG reporting and climate risk disclosure
Representatives from HKEX and SFC regulators are invited to share updates on the latest climate-related rules and regulations to prepare local businesses for better compliance and reporting.
(4) Panel 4: Decarbonization strategy and technological application
Experts will share innovative technologies and forward-looking strategies to help listed companies achieve low-carbon operations and meet their carbon neutrality targets.
Financial and ESG experts as speakers
Financial heavyweights, regulators and ESG veterans were invited to speak at the 4 panels and share their valuable experiences. The list includes, but is not limited to: Mr. Paul MALAM, Head of Policy and Secretarial Services, Listing of HKEX; Ms. Jennifer LEE, Director of the Corporate Finance Division, SFC; Professor Simon HO, President of Hang Seng University of Hong Kong; Mr. Frank HEUNG, Head of Structured Finance, Commercial Real Estate and Business Advisory of Hang Seng Bank; Mr. Anthony CHEUNG, member of the supervisory board, World Benchmarking Alliance; Mr. Ricco ZHANG, Senior Director, Asia Pacific, International Capital Markets Association; Ms. Katherine KOH, Global Climate Lead for Infrastructure at IFC; Mr. Peter YAN, CEO of Cyberport, as well as senior ESG executives from listed companies.
(The list of speakers and the conference program can be consulted
https://www.chklc-esgforum.com/website/index.html)
For more information on the “ESG and Green Finance Opportunities Forum 2023”, please contact (852) 2970 0886 or send an email to [email protected].
Hashtag: #CHKLC
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
