Panel Discussion 1:

Senior Officer

Policy & Research​

Business Environment Council

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Katie works on BEC’s Policy & Research team where she contributes to the development of policy positions on Hong Kong’s existing and emerging environmental challenges and drives the delivery of impactful projects to embed sustainability into business strategy and the city’s broader climate transition. Katie currently leads the team’s nature-related work to narrow the gap between business and nature, incorporate biodiversity considerations into local policy and business decision-making. Prior to working in Hong Kong, Katie worked in the UK to deliver analysis and thought leadership to impact investors and sustainability-minded corporates on climate change policy, the blue economy, biodiversity and nature conservation. Katie is a Geography graduate of King’s College London.

Lead Consultant APAC

AXA Climate

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Derek works as the Lead Consultant APAC at AXA Climate to bring risk expertise onto the topics of climate and nature and advise financial institutions, corporates and non-profits in the APAC region. At AXA Climate, we aim to utilise our scientific expertise to enable climate-resilient and regenerative businesses.

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Derek has supported clients to navigate the increasing scrutiny and uncertainty posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. Working at the nexus of ESG, risk and strategy, he brings his interdisciplinary lens to advise organisations in addressing their climate and nature challenges, including climate and nature risk assessments and due diligences, corporate climate, nature and net-zero strategy development and ESG training and engagements. Prior to AXA Climate, Derek worked at a global sustainability strategy and insights consultancy advising management and operation teams on regional ESG trends and opportunities. He has an academic background in environmental management and is based in Hong Kong.

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Outside of work, he is an avid scuba-diver and mountain climber, which you will find him either out in the wild or planning for his next big expedition.

Co-founder

NESS

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Mark is the Co-Founder of NESS and is in charge of all NESS events. Apart from that, he is also a member of the UNDP Asia Pacific Youth Advisory Group on Environmental & Climate Justice, working with other youth, organizations, and governments on climate engagements, advocacy, and more. As the HK delegate of the 2022 Antarctica Expedition and the HK youth representative for COP26&27, he aims to use his experiences to empower youth and raise awareness of climate actions. He’s passionate about climate governance and justice and aspires to make a difference through public policy, events, and advocacy.

Senior Vice President (Sustainability)Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Invest Hong Kong

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Olivia To is Senior Vice President (Sustainability) Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Invest Hong Kong, the government department responsible for facilitating foreign direct investment into Hong Kong.

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She is a sustainability professional specializing in climate change and green technology.​ She is an engineer by training, certified carbon auditor, carbon trader and WELL AP. She also serves as a Committee Member of the Energy Institute. In her previous role at the Environmental Protection Department of HKSARG, she worked with directorates to prepare Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050.

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She holds a master’s degree in environmental engineering and management from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Global Environmental Studies from the Education University of Hong Kong.

Sustainable Development Manager

Swire Pacific

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Sam has over 10 years’ experience in business & sustainability. At Swire Pacific, Sam is responsible for managing a Group Sustainable Development Fund, supporting trials and roll-out of cleantech innovation within the business. In addition to advising senior management of key developments and policies related to sustainable development, he is responsible for supporting the implementation of the Group’s sustainability strategy, SwireTHRIVE, with a focus on waste & circularity, and nature related impacts and opportunities through the setting relevant targets and policies, and monitoring progress.

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Sam has extensive experience on ESG disclosures, stakeholder engagement and strategy development. Prior to his role at Swire Pacific, he worked for Swire Coca-Cola and Finlays (B2B coffee & tea supplier) in commercial, logistics and sustainability roles. He also worked for the UN on climate and multilateral diplomacy topics. Sam is an MBA candidate at IE Business School in Madrid, holds two Master’s degrees including an MA in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute Geneva, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford.