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September 12, 2025 | Hong Kong, China
As Asia continues its rapid economic growth, the region faces the dual challenge of sustaining development while addressing the escalating impacts of climate change. Transition finance has become a crucial mechanism to guide high-emission industries toward a low-carbon future. However, realizing its full potential requires collaborative efforts to enhance capacity across financial systems, institutions, and stakeholders, fostering meaningful and sustainable transformation.
To support these efforts, the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) will host a one-day forum during Hong Kong's Green Week in September. This forum provides a pivotal platform for advancing capacity-building on sustainable and transition finance across Asia. Building on last year's success, CASI will convene regional and international experts to address the urgent need for knowledge-sharing, skills development, and institutional strengthening.
Co-hosted by CASI, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office (HKMA-IFFO), the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute (HKUJC ESGRI), and the CFA Institute, the forum will also be supported by a range of key organizations. This forum will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on topics such as transition taxonomies, planning, GHG disclosure, and financial product innovation. It will also emphasize transparency and accountability in achieving sustainable outcomes.
This event will offer critical insights into emerging trends, strategies, and financial tools for Asia's low-carbon transition, including in some of the hard-to-abate sectors like fossil fuels, steel, cement, shipping, and agriculture, demonstrating Hong Kong's leadership as a green finance hub.
Why You Should Attend:
- Address Asia's Dual Challenge: Gain insights into how Asia can sustain its rapid economic growth while tackling escalating climate change impacts, a pressing issue for the region and beyond.
- Understand Transition Finance: Learn about the critical role of transition finance in guiding high-emission industries like fossil fuels, steel, cement, shipping, and agriculture toward a low-carbon future.
- Expert-Led Knowledge Sharing on Challenging Sectors: Benefit from keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions featuring regional and international experts sharing innovative solutions, financial product advancements, and strategies tailored for hard-to-abate sectors, with a focus on transparency and accountability.
- Capacity-Building Focus: Explore ways to enhance institutional capacity, knowledge-sharing, skills development, and stakeholder collaboration to drive meaningful transformation across Asia.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with leading organizations and professionals in sustainable and transition finance, including co-hosts like CASI, HKMA-IFFO, HKUJC ESGRI, and the CFA Institute.
- Exclusive Benefits: Attendees may receive limited free passes or discount codes to partner events during Green Week, offering additional value and opportunities to engage with the wider sustainability ecosystems.
You may also join the Forum online via the following Zoom link:
https://hku.zoom.us/j/91043064367?pwd=uzOjbLZKTcNKdEiP7xS9aOsxROyChj.1
Passcode:310869
Agenda
09
00
-
09
30
09
30
-
09
45
Welcome Remarks
Dr. MA Jun•Prof. HE Guojun09
45
-
10
05
Keynote Speeches
Arthur Yuen•Paul Moody10
05
-
10
30
CASI Academy: Launch of Online Learning Modules
CHENG Lin•Chaoni Huang10
30
-
10
50
10
50
-
12
00
Session 1: Transition Plans for Carbon-Intensive Enterprises and Financial Institutions
CHENG Lin•Tim Ash Vie•David Von Eiff•Kate Ryan•Sean Kidney•Bien WongUnder the urgent call for climate change actions and carbon neutrality, carbon-intensive industries are facing more and more strict regulatory requirements, rising investor expectation, and increasing exposure to transitional risks. Companies in these sectors are encouraged to develop transparent and credible transition plans that shall outline efforts and efforts to mitigate climate change risks, and to integrate it into the long-term business strategies. Financial firms on the other hand are also facing similar pressure to develop their portfolio level transition plans. However, the current gaps in transition finance and capacity, especially among the SMEs, highlight the need for collaboration and support from all stakeholders, including regulators, FIs, corporates, and civil society.
This session will go through the key challenges in designing and implementing transition plans for carbon-intensive industries and financial firms particularly within the Asian context. A moderated panel with professionals and practitioner in the fields will offer practical insights.
12
00
-
12
10
Special Report: Social Considerations and Risks in a Just Transition
Prof. David A. Palmer12
10
-
13
55
14
00
-
15
00
Session 2: Innovations in Transition Finance Products
Tracy Wong Harris•Dr. Roman Novozhilov•Kyle Wang•Jennifer Zhou•Henri de BrancheAgainst the backdrop of climate transition, innovative financial instruments are essential for financial institutions to better support the decarbonization of their clients and for corporates to attract investment and to fill in the large financing gap for the low-carbon transition. Products like sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) and bonds (SLBs) have experienced significant growth in recent years and labeled transition bonds have also seen steady growth, especially for sovereign issuances. However, current market growth is still not comparable with the green and sustainable finance markets. Smaller firms, especially MSMEs, are not able to develop and implement a full-fledged transition plan for up to 30 or 40 years. A simplified approach and backward-looking transition finance product might be better used to support these firms’ transition needs.
To further explore innovations in transition finance instruments, a panel with experts and practitioners will focus on the main challenges of current transition products with specific industrial or regional context. The discussion will also address how to harmonize the international standards and channels to facilitate the interconnection between markets and between key stakeholders.
15
00
-
15
20
15
20
-
16
20
Session 3: Disclosures on Transition Finance and other Sustainability Topics
Yvonne Kam•ZHAO Lijian•Kamran Khan•Dr. LENG Bing•Tengku Zarina Tengku ChikRobust disclosure and transparency are among the most fundamental pillars for the sustainable finance market, which is even more so for transition finance. In 2022, the G20 published Transition Finance Framework, which consists of 22 principles across 5 pillars. Pillar 2 emphasizes on the transparent disclosure of information on transition activities, including transition plans, climate data, governance structures, performance targets, assessment methodologies. Regional regulators have also made to improve the quality and accountability of transition-related disclosure through various guidelines, plans, and initiatives.
This session will provide an overview of transition disclosure requirements and implementation, and discuss how the key stakeholders, like regulators, financial institutions, and enterprises, can better navigate the regulatory requirements to efficiently support the low-carbon transition. Key issues like the integration with existing disclosure framework, data availability, standard harmonization, and enforcement mechanisms will be further discussed in the panel.
16
20
-
17
00
17
00
-
17
20
17
20
-
17
30
Welcome Remarks
Speakers
Dr. MA Jun
Chairman of CASI and President of IFS at Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and BankingDr. Ma is the Chairman of CASI, and President of Beijing-based Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS). He also serves as the Chairman of the Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking, Co-Chair of IPSF Taxonomy Working Group, and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the Belt & Road. Dr. Ma was formerly the Co-Chair of G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, a member of Steering Committee of the NGFS, and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People’s Bank of China.
Prof. HE Guojun
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics; Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute of HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research InstituteKeynote Speeches
Speakers
Arthur Yuen
Deputy Chief Executive at Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)Arthur Yuen is in charge of the full range of banking policy, supervision, conduct, and enforcement issues at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). He joined the HKMA in 1996 as Head of Administration and has since taken up different responsibilities including research and liaison on China economic and market
development issues before being appointed Head of Banking Supervision in 2000. He took up the position as Executive Director (Banking Development) in July 2004, Executive Director (Banking Supervision) in June 2005 and Executive Director (External) in July 2008. He was appointed to his present position on 1 January 2010.
He has been playing an active role and serving as member of the FSB Standing Committee on Supervisory and Regulatory Cooperation. He is also a long serving member of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. Appointed as Co-Chair of the Committee’s Policy and Standard Group (“PSG”) since Jan 2021. Chaired the Committee’s Supervision and Implementation Group (“SIG”) from September 2018 to Dec 2020.
Paul Moody
Managing Director, Global Partnerships & Client Solutions of CFA InstituteCASI Academy: Launch of Online Learning Modules
Speakers
CHENG Lin
Head of Secretariat at CASICheng Lin is Director of Center for International Collaborations at the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS), Head of Secretariat Beijing Office for the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the Belt and Road and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), a platform for capacity building and knowledge sharing on green finance. He has been working to support the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) since 2017.
Prior joining the IFS, he served as Deputy Director of Research Center for Green Finance Development at PBC School of Finance of Tsinghua University between 2017 and 2021. Before that, he was with the PBOC from 2010 to 2017, including the International Department and Haikou Central Sub-branch. From 2014-15, he was Deputy Representative at the PBOC Representative office in Tokyo.
He received bachelor’s degree from Wuhan University in 2008 and master’s degree from Shanghai International Studies University in 2010. He also received a MSc on Environmental Economics in the University of York as a UK Chevening Scholar between 2021 and 2022.
Chaoni Huang
Executive Vice President, HKGFA; Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Capital Markets APAC, BNP ParibasAs Head of Sustainable Capital Markets Asia Pacific, Chaoni leads BNP Paribas’ sustainable finance solutions across asset classes for corporates, financial institutions and investors. Leading a growing Sustainable Capital Markets team and working with Global Markets, Capital Markets Group and coverage teams in Asia Pacific and the Bank’s global sustainable finance community, Chaoni drives BNP Paribas’ continued expansion and leadership in Asian sustainable capital markets.
Chaoni is an industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in sustainable finance having held various ESG- related roles at Natixis, S&P Trucost, MSCI and the United Nations. In addition to her role at BNP Paribas, Chaoni is also highly involved in the forwarding Asia’s ESG agenda through driving the development of sustainable finance ecosystems, education and advocacy in the region. She is Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association and was a guest researcher at both the Green Finance Center at Tsinghua University and the China Economy and Sustainable Development Centre at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. Chaoni was awarded the ‘Best Sustainable Finance Banker in HKSAR’ by FinanceAsia in 2023 and ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ in the 2024 Women in Finance Asia Awards.
Chaoni received her Bachelor of Economics from the University of Warwick.
Session 1: Transition Plans for Carbon-Intensive Enterprises and Financial Institutions
Under the urgent call for climate change actions and carbon neutrality, carbon-intensive industries are facing more and more strict regulatory requirements, rising investor expectation, and increasing exposure to transitional risks. Companies in these sectors are encouraged to develop transparent and credible transition plans that shall outline efforts and efforts to mitigate climate change risks, and to integrate it into the long-term business strategies. Financial firms on the other hand are also facing similar pressure to develop their portfolio level transition plans. However, the current gaps in transition finance and capacity, especially among the SMEs, highlight the need for collaboration and support from all stakeholders, including regulators, FIs, corporates, and civil society. This session will go through the key challenges in designing and implementing transition plans for carbon-intensive industries and financial firms particularly within the Asian context. A moderated panel with professionals and practitioner in the fields will offer practical insights.
Speakers
CHENG Lin
Head of Secretariat at CASICheng Lin is Director of Center for International Collaborations at the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS), Head of Secretariat Beijing Office for the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the Belt and Road and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), a platform for capacity building and knowledge sharing on green finance. He has been working to support the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) since 2017.
Prior joining the IFS, he served as Deputy Director of Research Center for Green Finance Development at PBC School of Finance of Tsinghua University between 2017 and 2021. Before that, he was with the PBOC from 2010 to 2017, including the International Department and Haikou Central Sub-branch. From 2014-15, he was Deputy Representative at the PBOC Representative office in Tokyo.
He received bachelor’s degree from Wuhan University in 2008 and master’s degree from Shanghai International Studies University in 2010. He also received a MSc on Environmental Economics in the University of York as a UK Chevening Scholar between 2021 and 2022.
Tim Ash Vie
Global Head Sustainability Strategy at HSBCTim is a climate change expert with over 20 years of experience in delivering climate and sustainability strategies and projects. This has included designing policy instruments for governments, developing climate programmes for development agencies and setting up a clean tech innovation hub in Nairobi with the World Bank. Tim has worked with the UK Government, the management consultancy arm of PwC and the international not for profit organisation The Climate
Group. Tim joined HSBC in 2022 as Head of Climate Change, Europe. And in July 2025 he was
appointed Global Head of Sustainability Strategy at the bank.
David Von Eiff
Director, Global Industry Standards of CFAMr. von Eiff has a combined 15 years of experience in environmental compliance, research, and sustainability. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy at the City University of Hong Kong and his Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Public Policy at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. His main research areas address the economic, sustainability and climate change issues associated with water supply management decisions. He has conducted extensive research projects and authored several works including publications on a range of topics. Most recently, he authored a public-facing report which analysed and recommended potential changes for Hong Kong’s water management framework. His work has focused on the carbon footprint of the water supply, using a life-cycle analysis approach to analysis various public policy decisions and water mixes. He has also studied the importance of governance and the governance capacity of the Water supplies department on achieving long term sustainability.
Kate Ryan
Strategic Partnerships Manager at International Transition Plan Network (ITPN)Kate Ryan is the Strategic Partnerships Manager for the International Transition Plan Network (ITPN), a global initiative focused on advancing collaboration around private sector transition plans and their integration into national policy and regulatory frameworks. She is also a Senior Policy Adviser at the climate change think tank E3G.
Prior to the launch of the ITPN, Kate led international engagement for the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Secretariat. Earlier in her career, Kate worked on climate change policy across the New Zealand government, including as a Principal Advisor at the Ministry for the Environment and in the office of the New Zealand Minister of Climate Change. She is based in London.
Sean Kidney
CEO of Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI)Sean Kidney, FRSA, is CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, an international NGO working to mobilize global capital for climate action. He oversees green bond development programs on six continents, now with an estimate US$3tn outstanding. Projects include market definition (taxonomies; data provision to green bond indices and investors; green bond certification); and public institution support projects. Sean is a member of the EU’s Platform on Sustainable Finance, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Sustainable Finance Advisory Panel, sovereign green bond advisory committees in France and the UK, the Finance Industry Advisory Board of the International Energy Agency, the FAO’s Finance Advisory Committee and Japan’s GX Accelerator Advisory Committee.
Bien Wong
Assistant General Manage, Group ESG at The Hong Kong and China Gas Company LimitedBien Wong is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in sustainability strategy development, corporate communications, and investor relations. As the department head of Group ESG, he oversees the integration of sustainability concepts into business strategies, ensuring compliance with stringent international sustainability standards. He has a proven track record at global firms and companies listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, specializing in corporate compliance and the disclosure of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies.
He holds a master’s degree from The University of Hong Kong and a bachelor’s degree from the University of York in the United Kingdom. Bien is recognized as one of the first EFFAS scholars in the Asia Pacific region to complete the Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) program and has been invited by EFFAS to serve as one of the few examiners for this prestigious program in the region.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Bien is actively engaged in public service, focusing on sustainable finance, social impact investment, and corporate governance. He serves on multiple advisory committees for the HKSAR Government, including the Environmental Campaign Committee Publicity Working Group and the Housing Appeal Panel. Furthermore, he is a Board Governor for Friends of the Earth Hong Kong, where he advocates for sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Special Report: Social Considerations and Risks in a Just Transition
Speakers
Prof. David A. Palmer
Professor, IHSS and Department of Sociology at The University of Hong KongDr. David A. Palmer is a Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Sociology and the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, and Director of the HKU Global Society and Sustainability Lab. He obtained his BA at McGill University, his PhD at EPHE (Paris PSL University), and was a postdoctoral fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences. He is the author of several award-winning books on modern and contemporary China in the context of globalization. Palmer is currently the leader of a series of major collaborative projects funded by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong SAR on the socio-cultural dimensions of the Belt and Road Initiative. He leads an international team of field researchers investigating the social impacts of Chinese infrastructure projects overseas, and is developing approaches for stakeholder engagement and social risk management adapted to Chinese and local realities.
Session 2: Innovations in Transition Finance Products
Against the backdrop of climate transition, innovative financial instruments are essential for financial institutions to better support the decarbonization of their clients and for corporates to attract investment and to fill in the large financing gap for the low-carbon transition. Products like sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) and bonds (SLBs) have experienced significant growth in recent years and labeled transition bonds have also seen steady growth, especially for sovereign issuances. However, current market growth is still not comparable with the green and sustainable finance markets. Smaller firms, especially MSMEs, are not able to develop and implement a full-fledged transition plan for up to 30 or 40 years. A simplified approach and backward-looking transition finance product might be better used to support these firms’ transition needs. To further explore innovations in transition finance instruments, a panel with experts and practitioners will focus on the main challenges of current transition products with specific industrial or regional context. The discussion will also address how to harmonize the international standards and channels to facilitate the interconnection between markets and between key stakeholders.
Speakers
Tracy Wong Harris
Hong Kong Green Finance Association at HKGFATracy Wong Harris is Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association. A results-driven leader in sustainable finance with over 20 years global experience across investment and commercial banking, she has deep expertise in sustainable finance origination, product innovation, and policy advocacy, and is passionate about leveraging finance to accelerate the global transition to sustainability.
Tracy previously served as Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance, Greater China & North Asia, at Standard Chartered, and earlier held fixed income and structured products roles at JPMorgan, Mizuho International, Barclays Capital, and BNP Paribas in London and Hong Kong.
She serves on the Policy Research Committee of the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), is a Board Member of Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation (s88), and Senior Advisor to the HK2050isNow Green Building Project. Former appointed member of the Securities & Future Commission of Hong Kong (SFC) Climate Change Technical Expert Group, Board Member of AIDS Concern, Board Member of the Hong Kong LGBT+ Interbank Network, and founder of JPM PRIDE HK.
She holds an MSc and a BA in International Finance and Capital Markets from the UK, completed the Social Finance program at Oxford Saïd Business School, and certified Hong Kong Institution of Bankers (HKIB) Green and Finance Professional level.
Dr. Roman Novozhilov
Head of ESG Division at New Development BankDr. Roman Novozhilov is the Head of ESG at the New Development Bank, a Shanghai-based multilateral development bank established by BRICS countries for financing infrastructure projects in emerging markets. He has over 20 years of global experience in Environmental, Social and Governance matters. He joined the newly created NDB in 2017 to launch its ESG function and is responsible for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects in NDB’s credit and equity products and for delivering ESG advisory services to NDB’s clients.
Before joining NDB, Dr. Novozhilov was with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, D.C., Johannesburg and Hong Kong, focusing on ESG risks of IFC’s investments and helping IFC clients to improve their ESG performance. Before that, he held various roles in sustainability policy research at the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Novozhilov holds a PhD from American University (Washington D.C.), an MA from Lancaster University (UK), and a BS from St. Petersburg State University (Russia). He is a Chartered Alternative Investments Analyst (CAIA) and Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA).
Kyle Wang
ESG Research Analyst at Neuberger BermanKyle Wang, ESG Research Analyst in Neuberger Berman, where he is responsible for ESG integration and sustainable product development across Asia. He has contributed to the development of the firm’s proprietary climate assessment framework tailored for the Chinese market. Prior to joining Neuberger Berman in 2023, Kyle served as a manager at HSBC in Hong Kong, where he structured green finance solutions for corporate clients. Kyle holds an MBA from London Business School and a bachelor’s degree from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Jennifer Zhou
Head of Sustainable Finance, Greater China at Standard Chartered BankJennifer Zhou is the current Head of Sustainable Finance, Greater China at Standard Chartered, based in Shanghai. She oversees the development, origination and execution of innovative financing solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon and inclusive economy.
Jennifer has almost 12 years of experience in the banking sector across investment banking and sustainable finance. She used to be a sector specialist in the TMT, Power & Utilities and Renewable Energy industries, and now is a passionate and driven leader in the field of sustainable finance. Jennifer has led hundreds of sustainable finance transactions across various sectors and regions, having worked in Canada, Singapore, and China.
Henri de Branche
Head of APAC Sustainable Solutions at J.P. MorganHenri de Branche is the Head of Sustainable Solutions in Asia Pacific, where he leads the firm’s efforts with clients to enhance ESG performance and align their strategies most favorably for ESG-focused investors. He also oversees the operationalization of J.P. Morgan’s climate commitments in line with the Paris Agreement with the Centre for Carbon Transition, engaging with clients in hard-to-abate sectors on transition-related financing, research and advisory solutions.
Henri has over 20 years of experience in industry, consulting and financial services based in Asia, and has helped over 100 regional clients across industries improve their sustainability credentials, optimize value and mitigate risk. Before joining J.P. Morgan, he was a Partner with ERM, responsible for Sustainable Finance advisory based in Beijing. He also participated in the establishment of the ESG function at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Session 3: Disclosures on Transition Finance and other Sustainability Topics
Robust disclosure and transparency are among the most fundamental pillars for the sustainable finance market, which is even more so for transition finance. In 2022, the G20 published Transition Finance Framework, which consists of 22 principles across 5 pillars. Pillar 2 emphasizes on the transparent disclosure of information on transition activities, including transition plans, climate data, governance structures, performance targets, assessment methodologies. Regional regulators have also made to improve the quality and accountability of transition-related disclosure through various guidelines, plans, and initiatives. This session will provide an overview of transition disclosure requirements and implementation, and discuss how the key stakeholders, like regulators, financial institutions, and enterprises, can better navigate the regulatory requirements to efficiently support the low-carbon transition. Key issues like the integration with existing disclosure framework, data availability, standard harmonization, and enforcement mechanisms will be further discussed in the panel.
Speakers
Yvonne Kam
Sustainability Technical Partner at PwCYvonne is PwC Hong Kong and mainland China’s technical partner specializing in sustainability disclosure standards. She is also a member of PwC global’s sustainability technical leadership team. Over the years, Yvonne has worked closely with various standard-setters and regulators on shaping accounting and sustainability disclosure standards. She works with clients on cutting-edge matters. She has issued a large number of thought leadership pieces and is a frequent speaker on the appropriate application of sustainability standards. As an accountant, Yvonne is able to connect financial with sustainability reporting. In addition to PwC, she also holds the following memberships:
• ISSB Transition Implementation Group member
• Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) Sustainability Disclosure Standards Committee
• Member of the Ministry of Finance of the Peoples Republic of China's Accounting Standards Advisory Committee
• Member of the ESG Professional Committee of the China Listed Companies Association
ZHAO Lijian
Co-Secretary General at China Climate Engagement Inititative (CCEI), IFSMr. Lijian Zhao currently serves as Co-Secretary General of China Climate Engagement Initiative(CCEI), Director of Greentech Investment Center of Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS), and Executive Director of Carbon Mind. Mr. Zhao has over 20 years of experience in the fields of energy, climate change, environment, and corporate sustainability, spanning corporations, financial institutions, international organizations, and philanthropic institutions.
CCEI is China’s first collaborative investor climate engagement platform jointly initiated by IFS and China Social Investment Forum together with 24 institutional investors in 2023. CCEI now has 33 investor members with total AUM of ~$11 billion.
Mr. Zhao served as China Country Director for Carbon Trust between 2018 to 2024, where he managed Carbon Trust’s China business, including business net-zero transition consulting, green finance, green technology acceleration, climate and clean energy policies, etc. Prior to this, Mr. Zhao was the Director of the Environmental Management Program of the Energy Foundation China from 2009 to 2018, where he managed grants to support policy and multi-stakeholder efforts on combating air pollution and co-control of GHG emissions.
Mr. Lijian Zhao has been actively promoting business net-zero transitions and investments in green technologies. He has led his team in providing professional consulting services to numerous leading enterprises and listed companies in areas such as carbon accounting, product carbon footprinting, net-zero transition planning, green finance and transition finance, as well as climate risk and opportunity assessments. He has also participated as an expert in sustainable development projects for multiple United Nations agencies, and multilateral financial institutions such as the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), etc.
Mr. Zhao holds a MSc. Degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) from Lund University supported by Erasmus Mundus Program. He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from Peking University.
Kamran Khan
Managing Director, Head of ESG for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Deutsche Bank
Dr. LENG Bing
Board Member at ISSB, IFRS foundationDr. Bing Leng, a member of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and a co-Chair of the IFRS Taxonomy Consultation Group (ITCG). Dr. Leng served at Ministry of Finance, China and was responsible for accounting standards setting and development of digital taxonomies of financial reporting before he joined the ISSB in mid of 2022. He also used to be a member of Board of Directors of XBRL International between 2014 and 2020, an independent co-Chair of Net Zero Recognition and Accountability Framework Consultation of UNFCCC between 2023 and 2024.
Tengku Zarina Tengku Chik
Chief Executive Officer of Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC)Tengku Zarina is Chief Executive Officer of the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), the learning and capacity-building arm of the Securities Commission Malaysia. She brings over 30 years of experience in global financial services, spanning corporate and international finance across diverse business functions and financial centres including Malaysia, London, New York, and Hong Kong. Prior to joining SIDC, she held senior roles at Maybank and the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Since 2019, she has led SIDC’s transformation into a digital and sustainability-focused organisation, delivering award-winning certifications and strengthening capital market capabilities. She has spearheaded key sustainable finance initiatives, including Malaysia’s first Certified Capital Market Professional in Sustainable and Responsible Investment (CCMP SRI) and the upcoming Certified Corporate Sustainability Practitioner (CCSP).
SIDC actively supports the development of Malaysia’s National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) through skill-building programmes aligned with the national level Advisory Committee on Sustainability Reporting (ACSR). It also contributes on Sub Committee 4 of the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3), which focuses on capacity building for climate risk and sustainable finance, supporting Malaysia’s ambition to build a robust, inclusive transition finance ecosystem.
Her leadership continues to advance ESG capabilities, board readiness, and sustainability integration across the Malaysian capital market and beyond.
Speakers
Dr. MA Jun
Chairman of CASI and President of IFS at Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking
More Information
Prof. HE Guojun
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics; Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute of HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
More Information
Paul Moody
Managing Director, Global Partnerships & Client Solutions of CFA Institute
More Information
Chaoni Huang
Executive Vice President, HKGFA; Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Capital Markets APAC, BNP Paribas
More Information
Kate Ryan
Strategic Partnerships Manager at International Transition Plan Network (ITPN)
More Information
Bien Wong
Assistant General Manage, Group ESG at The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
More Information
Prof. David A. Palmer
Professor, IHSS and Department of Sociology at The University of Hong Kong
More Information
Tengku Zarina Tengku Chik
Chief Executive Officer of Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC)
More Information
Kamran Khan
Managing Director, Head of ESG for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Deutsche Bank
More Information
Dr. MA Jun
Chairman of CASI and President of IFS at Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking
Dr. Ma is the Chairman of CASI, and President of Beijing-based Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS). He also serves as the Chairman of the Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking, Co-Chair of IPSF Taxonomy Working Group, and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the Belt & Road. Dr. Ma was formerly the Co-Chair of G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, a member of Steering Committee of the NGFS, and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People’s Bank of China.
Prof. HE
Guojun
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics; Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute of HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
Arthur Yuen
Deputy Chief Executive at Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)
Arthur Yuen is in charge of the full range of banking policy, supervision, conduct, and enforcement issues at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). He joined the HKMA in 1996 as Head of Administration and has since taken up different responsibilities including research and liaison on China economic and market
development issues before being appointed Head of Banking Supervision in 2000. He took up the position as Executive Director (Banking Development) in July 2004, Executive Director (Banking Supervision) in June 2005 and Executive Director (External) in July 2008. He was appointed to his present position on 1 January 2010.
He has been playing an active role and serving as member of the FSB Standing Committee on Supervisory and Regulatory Cooperation. He is also a long serving member of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. Appointed as Co-Chair of the Committee’s Policy and Standard Group (“PSG”) since Jan 2021. Chaired the Committee’s Supervision and Implementation Group (“SIG”) from September 2018 to Dec 2020.
Paul Moody
Managing Director, Global Partnerships & Client Solutions of CFA Institute
Chaoni Huang
Executive Vice President, HKGFA; Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Capital Markets APAC, BNP Paribas
As Head of Sustainable Capital Markets Asia Pacific, Chaoni leads BNP Paribas’ sustainable finance solutions across asset classes for corporates, financial institutions and investors. Leading a growing Sustainable Capital Markets team and working with Global Markets, Capital Markets Group and coverage teams in Asia Pacific and the Bank’s global sustainable finance community, Chaoni drives BNP Paribas’ continued expansion and leadership in Asian sustainable capital markets.
Chaoni is an industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in sustainable finance having held various ESG- related roles at Natixis, S&P Trucost, MSCI and the United Nations. In addition to her role at BNP Paribas, Chaoni is also highly involved in the forwarding Asia’s ESG agenda through driving the development of sustainable finance ecosystems, education and advocacy in the region. She is Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association and was a guest researcher at both the Green Finance Center at Tsinghua University and the China Economy and Sustainable Development Centre at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. Chaoni was awarded the ‘Best Sustainable Finance Banker in HKSAR’ by FinanceAsia in 2023 and ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ in the 2024 Women in Finance Asia Awards.
Chaoni received her Bachelor of Economics from the University of Warwick.
CHENG Lin
Head of Secretariat at CASI
Cheng Lin is Director of Center for International Collaborations at the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS), Head of Secretariat Beijing Office for the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the Belt and Road and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), a platform for capacity building and knowledge sharing on green finance. He has been working to support the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, and the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) since 2017.
Prior joining the IFS, he served as Deputy Director of Research Center for Green Finance Development at PBC School of Finance of Tsinghua University between 2017 and 2021. Before that, he was with the PBOC from 2010 to 2017, including the International Department and Haikou Central Sub-branch. From 2014-15, he was Deputy Representative at the PBOC Representative office in Tokyo.
He received bachelor’s degree from Wuhan University in 2008 and master’s degree from Shanghai International Studies University in 2010. He also received a MSc on Environmental Economics in the University of York as a UK Chevening Scholar between 2021 and 2022.
Tim Ash Vie
Global Head Sustainability Strategy at HSBC
Tim is a climate change expert with over 20 years of experience in delivering climate and sustainability strategies and projects. This has included designing policy instruments for governments, developing climate programmes for development agencies and setting up a clean tech innovation hub in Nairobi with the World Bank. Tim has worked with the UK Government, the management consultancy arm of PwC and the international not for profit organisation The Climate
Group. Tim joined HSBC in 2022 as Head of Climate Change, Europe. And in July 2025 he was
appointed Global Head of Sustainability Strategy at the bank.
David
Von Eiff
Director, Global Industry Standards of CFA
Mr. von Eiff has a combined 15 years of experience in environmental compliance, research, and sustainability. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy at the City University of Hong Kong and his Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Public Policy at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. His main research areas address the economic, sustainability and climate change issues associated with water supply management decisions. He has conducted extensive research projects and authored several works including publications on a range of topics. Most recently, he authored a public-facing report which analysed and recommended potential changes for Hong Kong’s water management framework. His work has focused on the carbon footprint of the water supply, using a life-cycle analysis approach to analysis various public policy decisions and water mixes. He has also studied the importance of governance and the governance capacity of the Water supplies department on achieving long term sustainability.
Kate Ryan
Strategic Partnerships Manager at International Transition Plan Network (ITPN)
Kate Ryan is the Strategic Partnerships Manager for the International Transition Plan Network (ITPN), a global initiative focused on advancing collaboration around private sector transition plans and their integration into national policy and regulatory frameworks. She is also a Senior Policy Adviser at the climate change think tank E3G.
Prior to the launch of the ITPN, Kate led international engagement for the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Secretariat. Earlier in her career, Kate worked on climate change policy across the New Zealand government, including as a Principal Advisor at the Ministry for the Environment and in the office of the New Zealand Minister of Climate Change. She is based in London.
Bien Wong
Assistant General Manage, Group ESG at The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
Bien Wong is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in sustainability strategy development, corporate communications, and investor relations. As the department head of Group ESG, he oversees the integration of sustainability concepts into business strategies, ensuring compliance with stringent international sustainability standards. He has a proven track record at global firms and companies listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, specializing in corporate compliance and the disclosure of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies.
He holds a master’s degree from The University of Hong Kong and a bachelor’s degree from the University of York in the United Kingdom. Bien is recognized as one of the first EFFAS scholars in the Asia Pacific region to complete the Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) program and has been invited by EFFAS to serve as one of the few examiners for this prestigious program in the region.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Bien is actively engaged in public service, focusing on sustainable finance, social impact investment, and corporate governance. He serves on multiple advisory committees for the HKSAR Government, including the Environmental Campaign Committee Publicity Working Group and the Housing Appeal Panel. Furthermore, he is a Board Governor for Friends of the Earth Hong Kong, where he advocates for sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Sean Kidney
CEO of Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI)
Sean Kidney, FRSA, is CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, an international NGO working to mobilize global capital for climate action. He oversees green bond development programs on six continents, now with an estimate US$3tn outstanding. Projects include market definition (taxonomies; data provision to green bond indices and investors; green bond certification); and public institution support projects. Sean is a member of the EU’s Platform on Sustainable Finance, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Sustainable Finance Advisory Panel, sovereign green bond advisory committees in France and the UK, the Finance Industry Advisory Board of the International Energy Agency, the FAO’s Finance Advisory Committee and Japan’s GX Accelerator Advisory Committee.
Prof. David A.
Palmer
Professor, IHSS and Department of Sociology at The University of Hong Kong
Dr. David A. Palmer is a Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Sociology and the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, and Director of the HKU Global Society and Sustainability Lab. He obtained his BA at McGill University, his PhD at EPHE (Paris PSL University), and was a postdoctoral fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences. He is the author of several award-winning books on modern and contemporary China in the context of globalization. Palmer is currently the leader of a series of major collaborative projects funded by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong SAR on the socio-cultural dimensions of the Belt and Road Initiative. He leads an international team of field researchers investigating the social impacts of Chinese infrastructure projects overseas, and is developing approaches for stakeholder engagement and social risk management adapted to Chinese and local realities.
Tracy
Wong Harris
Hong Kong Green Finance Association at HKGFA
Tracy Wong Harris is Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association. A results-driven leader in sustainable finance with over 20 years global experience across investment and commercial banking, she has deep expertise in sustainable finance origination, product innovation, and policy advocacy, and is passionate about leveraging finance to accelerate the global transition to sustainability.
Tracy previously served as Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance, Greater China & North Asia, at Standard Chartered, and earlier held fixed income and structured products roles at JPMorgan, Mizuho International, Barclays Capital, and BNP Paribas in London and Hong Kong.
She serves on the Policy Research Committee of the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), is a Board Member of Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation (s88), and Senior Advisor to the HK2050isNow Green Building Project. Former appointed member of the Securities & Future Commission of Hong Kong (SFC) Climate Change Technical Expert Group, Board Member of AIDS Concern, Board Member of the Hong Kong LGBT+ Interbank Network, and founder of JPM PRIDE HK.
She holds an MSc and a BA in International Finance and Capital Markets from the UK, completed the Social Finance program at Oxford Saïd Business School, and certified Hong Kong Institution of Bankers (HKIB) Green and Finance Professional level.
Dr. Roman
Novozhilov
Head of ESG Division at New Development Bank
Dr. Roman Novozhilov is the Head of ESG at the New Development Bank, a Shanghai-based multilateral development bank established by BRICS countries for financing infrastructure projects in emerging markets. He has over 20 years of global experience in Environmental, Social and Governance matters. He joined the newly created NDB in 2017 to launch its ESG function and is responsible for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects in NDB’s credit and equity products and for delivering ESG advisory services to NDB’s clients.
Before joining NDB, Dr. Novozhilov was with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington, D.C., Johannesburg and Hong Kong, focusing on ESG risks of IFC’s investments and helping IFC clients to improve their ESG performance. Before that, he held various roles in sustainability policy research at the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Novozhilov holds a PhD from American University (Washington D.C.), an MA from Lancaster University (UK), and a BS from St. Petersburg State University (Russia). He is a Chartered Alternative Investments Analyst (CAIA) and Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA).
Kyle Wang
ESG Research Analyst at Neuberger Berman
Kyle Wang, ESG Research Analyst in Neuberger Berman, where he is responsible for ESG integration and sustainable product development across Asia. He has contributed to the development of the firm’s proprietary climate assessment framework tailored for the Chinese market. Prior to joining Neuberger Berman in 2023, Kyle served as a manager at HSBC in Hong Kong, where he structured green finance solutions for corporate clients. Kyle holds an MBA from London Business School and a bachelor’s degree from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Jennifer
Zhou
Head of Sustainable Finance, Greater China at Standard Chartered Bank
Jennifer Zhou is the current Head of Sustainable Finance, Greater China at Standard Chartered, based in Shanghai. She oversees the development, origination and execution of innovative financing solutions that support the transition to a low-carbon and inclusive economy.
Jennifer has almost 12 years of experience in the banking sector across investment banking and sustainable finance. She used to be a sector specialist in the TMT, Power & Utilities and Renewable Energy industries, and now is a passionate and driven leader in the field of sustainable finance. Jennifer has led hundreds of sustainable finance transactions across various sectors and regions, having worked in Canada, Singapore, and China.
Henri
de Branche
Head of APAC Sustainable Solutions at J.P. Morgan
Henri de Branche is the Head of Sustainable Solutions in Asia Pacific, where he leads the firm’s efforts with clients to enhance ESG performance and align their strategies most favorably for ESG-focused investors. He also oversees the operationalization of J.P. Morgan’s climate commitments in line with the Paris Agreement with the Centre for Carbon Transition, engaging with clients in hard-to-abate sectors on transition-related financing, research and advisory solutions.
Henri has over 20 years of experience in industry, consulting and financial services based in Asia, and has helped over 100 regional clients across industries improve their sustainability credentials, optimize value and mitigate risk. Before joining J.P. Morgan, he was a Partner with ERM, responsible for Sustainable Finance advisory based in Beijing. He also participated in the establishment of the ESG function at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Yvonne Kam
Sustainability Technical Partner at PwC
Yvonne is PwC Hong Kong and mainland China’s technical partner specializing in sustainability disclosure standards. She is also a member of PwC global’s sustainability technical leadership team. Over the years, Yvonne has worked closely with various standard-setters and regulators on shaping accounting and sustainability disclosure standards. She works with clients on cutting-edge matters. She has issued a large number of thought leadership pieces and is a frequent speaker on the appropriate application of sustainability standards. As an accountant, Yvonne is able to connect financial with sustainability reporting. In addition to PwC, she also holds the following memberships:
• ISSB Transition Implementation Group member
• Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) Sustainability Disclosure Standards Committee
• Member of the Ministry of Finance of the Peoples Republic of China's Accounting Standards Advisory Committee
• Member of the ESG Professional Committee of the China Listed Companies Association
ZHAO Lijian
Co-Secretary General at China Climate Engagement Inititative (CCEI), IFS
Mr. Lijian Zhao currently serves as Co-Secretary General of China Climate Engagement Initiative(CCEI), Director of Greentech Investment Center of Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS), and Executive Director of Carbon Mind. Mr. Zhao has over 20 years of experience in the fields of energy, climate change, environment, and corporate sustainability, spanning corporations, financial institutions, international organizations, and philanthropic institutions.
CCEI is China’s first collaborative investor climate engagement platform jointly initiated by IFS and China Social Investment Forum together with 24 institutional investors in 2023. CCEI now has 33 investor members with total AUM of ~$11 billion.
Mr. Zhao served as China Country Director for Carbon Trust between 2018 to 2024, where he managed Carbon Trust’s China business, including business net-zero transition consulting, green finance, green technology acceleration, climate and clean energy policies, etc. Prior to this, Mr. Zhao was the Director of the Environmental Management Program of the Energy Foundation China from 2009 to 2018, where he managed grants to support policy and multi-stakeholder efforts on combating air pollution and co-control of GHG emissions.
Mr. Lijian Zhao has been actively promoting business net-zero transitions and investments in green technologies. He has led his team in providing professional consulting services to numerous leading enterprises and listed companies in areas such as carbon accounting, product carbon footprinting, net-zero transition planning, green finance and transition finance, as well as climate risk and opportunity assessments. He has also participated as an expert in sustainable development projects for multiple United Nations agencies, and multilateral financial institutions such as the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), etc.
Mr. Zhao holds a MSc. Degree in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) from Lund University supported by Erasmus Mundus Program. He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from Peking University.
Dr. LENG
Bing
Board Member at ISSB, IFRS foundation
Dr. Bing Leng, a member of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and a co-Chair of the IFRS Taxonomy Consultation Group (ITCG). Dr. Leng served at Ministry of Finance, China and was responsible for accounting standards setting and development of digital taxonomies of financial reporting before he joined the ISSB in mid of 2022. He also used to be a member of Board of Directors of XBRL International between 2014 and 2020, an independent co-Chair of Net Zero Recognition and Accountability Framework Consultation of UNFCCC between 2023 and 2024.
Tengku Zarina
Tengku Chik
Chief Executive Officer of Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC)
Tengku Zarina is Chief Executive Officer of the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), the learning and capacity-building arm of the Securities Commission Malaysia. She brings over 30 years of experience in global financial services, spanning corporate and international finance across diverse business functions and financial centres including Malaysia, London, New York, and Hong Kong. Prior to joining SIDC, she held senior roles at Maybank and the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Since 2019, she has led SIDC’s transformation into a digital and sustainability-focused organisation, delivering award-winning certifications and strengthening capital market capabilities. She has spearheaded key sustainable finance initiatives, including Malaysia’s first Certified Capital Market Professional in Sustainable and Responsible Investment (CCMP SRI) and the upcoming Certified Corporate Sustainability Practitioner (CCSP).
SIDC actively supports the development of Malaysia’s National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) through skill-building programmes aligned with the national level Advisory Committee on Sustainability Reporting (ACSR). It also contributes on Sub Committee 4 of the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3), which focuses on capacity building for climate risk and sustainable finance, supporting Malaysia’s ambition to build a robust, inclusive transition finance ecosystem.
Her leadership continues to advance ESG capabilities, board readiness, and sustainability integration across the Malaysian capital market and beyond.
