November 28th 2024

  • Hong Kong
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The Hong Kong Green Tech Salon

Converging influential global stakeholders around actionable climate opportunities

The Hong Kong Green Tech Salon is an invite-only gathering. This special event is organised exclusively for individuals with the resources and commitment to act on climate opportunities in Hong Kong and in Asia through green technology development, investments and application. It is also the closing event of a year-long innovation program, the Hong Kong Green Tech Challenge – Green Building Edition.

As Hong Kong continues to gain momentum with the Climate Action Plan 2050, this year represents an inflection point towards more serious action in the city. The Salon is bringing actionable projects, insights and resources from around the world to drive substantive discussions about opportunities between local, regional and international stakeholders to accelerate execution across industries and borders.

Our non-transferrable invitations are exclusively sent to leaders with real agency to take action, aligned with the event’s goals and themes. We curate the guest list to maximise productive dialogues and business impact.

Registrations Closed

Welcome

Tony Verb_Profile_2024

Tony Verb

Founding Partner | Carbonless Asia

Minister for Sustainability
and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations of Singapore

Tony Á. Verb is Founding Partner and CEO of Carbonless Asia, an investment, innovation and knowledge platform launched to support the decarbonisation of Asia working with trailblazing governments, investors, NGOs and leading corporations. The core mission of the company is to accelerate investments into scalable carbonless technologies and projects. As the result of a year-long research project with more than a dozen collaborators, he launched his first book "Decarbonizing Asia" covering thematic opportunities.

Opening Remarks

King Leung (2)

King Leung

Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech & Sustainability | InvestHK

As the Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech & Sustainability at InvestHK, the department of the Hong Kong SAR Government responsible for attracting Foreign Direct Investment, King’s mission is to enrich the ecosystem and contribute to raising the long term competitiveness and innovation of the financial services, fintech and sustainability sectors in Hong Kong. King achieves this goal through collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders – regulators, financial institutions, investors, fintech and sustainability companies, associations, etc. in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and other major international financial, fintech and sustainability hubs.

Setting The Tone

Alexandra Tracy

Alexandra Tracy

Head of Research | Carbonless

Alexandra Tracy is Head of Research at Carbonless Asia. A former investment banker, she was founder of advisory business Hoi Ping Ventures in Hong Kong to provide bespoke research and consulting on green finance in Asian emerging markets. During her thirty years in the region, she has worked with start-ups, family offices and corporates, and acted as a private sector advisor to the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds and the United Nations Green Climate Fund, as well as sitting on the Listing and Listing Review Committees of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. She is a director of RIMM Sustainability Pte Ltd in Singapore and of BlueOnion Group in Hong Kong, both leaders in the ESG data space in the region, and sits on a number of advisory and non profit boards related to sustainable investing and green finance.

Co-Host Remarks

Howard Lee (1)

Howard Lee

Associate Director, GreenTech | Hong Kong Science & Technoogy Parks

As the Associate Director, GreenTech of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). Howard Lee drives the green technology ecosystem development and accelerates commercialization of green technologies. Howard had 28 years of IT management experience implementing systems including ERP, CRM, Mobile App and security. Prior to joining HKSTP, Howard led a team in Shangri-La Hotel Management delivering technical solutions focusing on digital transformation and process automation. Howard has also taken senior roles in various corporations across different industries, namely Bank of China Group Life, New York Life, China.com, PCCW and Hong Kong Exchange.

Our CEO Panelists

CK Lau

CK Lau

Managing Director

Colliers International

Conrad

Conrad Wong

Vice Chairman

Yau Lee Holdings

Johnny Wei

Johnny Wei

Alternate
Chief Executive Officer

OCBC Bank

ROSS MILNE

Ross Milne

Chief Executive Officer

10 Design

Christine

Christine Loh

Senior Advisor

Carbonless Asia
Moderator

Our Catalysts

Adital Ela

Adital Ela

Chief Executive Officer

Criaterra Earth Technologies
Israel

At the intersection of aesthetics and embodied carbon.

In today’s architectural landscape, striking designs and aesthetically pleasing materials can coexist with sustainability. By selecting materials and designs that are not only beautiful but also environmentally responsible, we can create spaces that inspire while minimising their impact on the planet. We will learn and discuss what it means to design responsibly, ensuring that our creations reflect both artistry and a commitment to a greener future with Criaterra’s CEO Adital Ela.

Alexander Buff (1) (1)

Alexander Buff

Managing Director

Interpanel
Germany

Future of sustainable building designs.

How we design our spaces and the products we choose to use in our buildings can have a lasting impact on our buildings’ efficiency and carbon emissions. By embracing cutting-edge design principles, sustainable products, and innovative technologies, we can transform the industry through widespread adoption. We will learn and exchange about buildings that enhance energy efficiency while ensuring occupant comfort through this session catalysed by interpanel’s CEO Alexander Buff.

Brandon

Brandon Van Blerk

Chief Executive Officer

Tether
New Zealand

Data-driven actions to decarbonise buildings.

Buildings in Hong Kong account for 90% of electricity consumption and contribute to 60% of carbon emissions. As urbanisation intensifies and climate issues become more pressing, harnessing data analytics and technology is vital for reducing emissions and promoting sustainability in the built environment. Tether’s CEO, Brandon Van Blerk will showcase the company’s applicability in Hong Kong and the group can discuss desired outcomes and prerequisites for scaling in the city and beyond.

Doug Hunt

Doug Hunt

Chief Operating Officer

ClearVue Technologies Australia

Transforming Hong Kong buildings as renewable energy generators.

Imagine in the future, where the currently energy-gobbling buildings actually generate more electricity than it consumes. And imagine if the sources of the electricity generation comes from renewable sources like solar. The future can be now. ClearVue’s COO, Doug Hunt will showcase how we can turn buildings into renewable energy generators.

Gavin

Gavin O'Riain

Executive Director

Ecocem Global
Ireland

Decarbonising construction materials.

New innovations in construction materials such as green cement, steel and aluminum have been developed to combat buildings’ embodied carbon and scope 3 emissions. However, the path to green transition is still fraught with obstacles. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, we can navigate through the complex regulatory and business challenges. Ecocem’s Executive Director, Gavin O’Riain will catalyse in this session just that kind of sharing.

julius

Julius Glöckner

Chief Growth Officer

CERAFILTEC
Germany

Resource conservation through circularity.

In a world of finite resources and mounting environmental challenges, traditional linear models of resource consumption are no longer viable. The circular economy offers a transformative approach that prioritises the continual reduction and reuse of valuable resources like water. Our prioritisation of circular design, resource efficiency, and waste reduction are also highlighted in the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050. CERAFILTEC’s Chief Growth Officer will bring his global perspective to the local context through specific case studies.

Klaus Ek

Klaus Ek

Sales Director

R8 Technologies
Estonia

Al advancements in decarbonisation.

AI is one of the most significant technology trends across all industries, and it makes no exceptions for the property and construction sector. By leveraging AI, we can achieve breakthroughs in energy management, potentially surpassing human capabilities. AI and machines can be the key to our electricity consumption reduction goals in the Climate Action Plan 2050 and R8 Technology’s Klaus Ek will show us how.

Petri Laakso

Petri Laakso

Chief Executive Officer

Soletair Power
Finland

The essential next step - carbon capture.

To reach net zero emissions, we need to balance the amount of GHG that is produced with the amount that is being removed from the atmosphere. Simply reducing emissions is not enough. In this catalytic session by Petri Laakso, we will reimagine buildings as carbon sinks with new innovations in carbon capture suitable for Hong Kong’s urban landscape, like Soletair Power’s solution.

Our Host

Deborah Wai

Deborah Wai

Innovation Lead

Carbonless Asia

Deborah brings over a decade of experience managing award-winning programs focused on economic development and technology acceleration. She has previously been part of teams driving New Zealand’s innovation agenda or organising the Hong Kong FinTech Week. She heads up the Carbonless innovation projects such as the Hong Kong Green Tech Challenge.

Proudly presented by

Catalysed by

Co-convened by

Christine Loh

Dr Christine Loh is the chief development strategist at Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. A lawyer by training and commodities trader by profession, Dr Loh has spent the bulk of her career in public policy and politics, first serving as a legislator, and then government minister in the Environment Bureau in Hong Kong. She was the CEO of a policy think tank and is a published author of many academic and popular works. She is a director of for-profit and non-profit organizations, and she also advises multinational companies.

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Johnny Wei

Johnny Wei is the Head of Wholesale Banking for OCBC Hong Kong, overseeing the Bank’s corporate and commercial banking as well as financial institutions business franchise.

In 2016, Johnny joined OCBC Bank as Head of Corporate Banking. Following the management integration of OCBC Hong Kong Branch and OCBC Wing Hang Bank in 2021, Johnny was appointed as Head of Wholesale Banking for OCBC Hong Kong; and has further expanded his role as General Manager of OCBC Hong Kong Branch and Alternate Chief Executive Officer of OCBC Hong Kong in 2023.

A seasoned banker with over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, Johnny’s career includes a spell of over 20 years with Standard Chartered Bank; holding various senior positions including Managing Director & Head of Commercial Clients.

Johnny holds an MBA degree from Monash University, Australia, and a Bachelor of Social Science degree (majored in Economics) from University of Hong Kong and is a CPA Australia.

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Ross Milne

ROSS MILNE is Chief Executive Officer at 10 Design, a dynamic architecture and master planning practice with over 400 architects and designers operating across 9 studios worldwide.

As an architect, Ross has a diverse international portfolio spanning over 36 years on projects across Asia and the Middle East. He has a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver a quality project and strides to encourage innovative solutions to challenges posed by tight programmes and budgetary constraints using the latest available construction technology.

Ross' role as CEO at 10 Design is to oversee the growth strategy globally whilst maintaining the highest design standards. This includes looking at new markets and sectors and tackling complex projects with commercially viable and creative solutions for our clients. His extensive experience and innovative leadership are driving 10 Design’s brand to new heights competing with the best in class.

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Conrad Wong

Ir Dr Conrad Wong is a professional engineer who has over 30 years of building construction experience. He is the Vice Chairman of Yau Lee Holdings Limited, Managing Director of Yau Lee Construction and REC Engineering Co Ltd. He has a keen interest in green building technologies, Building Information Modeling (BIM), modular and precast construction, and manufacturing automation.

Since 2017, Ir Dr Wong has been putting a great deal of effort in developing various robotic and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for the construction industry. He recevied his Doctor of Philosophy Degree at City University of Hong Kong, specializing in adopting AI to optimize energy consumption for large scale central air conditioning system.

Ir Dr Wong is very active in public and community services. Currently, he is appointed as the Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, the Chairman of the New Energy Transport Fund Steering Committee, the Member of the Energy Advisory Committee and the Member of the Town Planning Board. In the past, Ir Dr Wong served as the Deputy Chairman of Vocational Training Council, the Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, the President of the Hong Kong Construction Association, the President of the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations, the Chairman of Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board, the Member of Construction Industry Council, the Member of the Antiquities Advisory Board, the Member of the Advisory Council on the Environment, and the Director of the World Green Building Council.

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CK Lau

Mr LAU Chun-kong is the Managing Director of Colliers Hong Kong and Managing Director of Asia Valuation and Advisory Services, responsible for promoting the growth of Colliers’ business in Hong Kong and heading the Asia Valuation and Advisory Services business. He has over 30 years’ property experience in valuation, real estate consultancy and investment sales market in Asia including Hong Kong and PRC.

Mr Lau is a Past President and Fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. He is a member of the Hong Kong Housing Authority and its Tender Committee, the Lantau Development Advisory Committee, and the Expert Advisory Panel for Study on the Artificial Islands in the Central Waters. He also serves as an advisor to the Our Hong Kong Foundation and a member of the Tangible Assets Standards Board of the International Valuation Standards Council.

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Ross Milne

I am an Architect having spent 30 years practicing in Hong Kong. I am a founding partner of 10 Design, an international Architectural Design Company headquartered in Hong Kong with offices across the globe. As CEO I am responsible for implementing the business strategy whilst maintaining strong growth and profitability. The importance of brand in architectural firms is paramount which means that quality of design and the intelligence of the design leads to a value driven approach for clients. Part of this is approaching the design process from an environmental view maximising efforts to reduce carbon footprint whilst satisfying the clients brief. My most notable projects are CLK Airport, The Scottish Parliament building and Shizimen Convention and Exhibition Centre in Zhuhai.