ReThink 2021, co-organised by the Business Environment Council, has been designed specifically for sustainability practitioners, business leaders and those responsible for researching and resourcing new sustainable strategies. Hong Kong Green Finance Association curated the ReThinking Finance programme on 6th October as the Green Finance Partner supporting the event.

Rethinking Finance programme gathered expertise from Hong Kong’s financial institutions to raise awareness within the wider business ecosystem. The expert panel and case-study sessions discussed the complexities of green and sustainable finance and how organisations can access a new breed of sustainable financing when investing in eco-friendly projects, solutions and equipment to accelerate towards a low-carbon economy and adopt a sustainable way of doing business.

Four sessions were held, with our Vice President and Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Tracy Wong Harris, giving Opening Welcome to kickstart the afternoon session in the Sustainable Resources Theatre.

The first panel discussion on “Financing Businesses to Leapfrog to a Low-carbon Economy” with our Under Secretary General Ms. Jenny Lee as the moderator, led the discussion with Tracy, Ms. Eunice Tan, Head of Credit Research, Asia-Pacific, S&P Global Ratings and Mr. Johnny Yu, Advisor to Chairman, Henderson Land Development Company Limited on the opportunities; risks and costs of not transitioning the business to a carbon neutral model by 2050.

Followed by 2 case study panel sessions on “Financing Green & Sustainable Real Estate” and “FinTech & Sustainable Finance” with an esteemed list of green and sustainable practitioners and veterans sharing their thoughts on the latest developments, impacts and direction of travel in deploying green finance to drive sustainable outcomes; and meeting points of investments, sustainability and tech innovations.