There is increasing discussion regarding ESG and green recovery post-COVID 19 in where business opportunities and risks lie in the future trends and development of sustainable businesses. The recent webinar held by Asian Financial Forum (AFF) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as the knowledge partner gave an idea of the way forward from the angles of investors and bankers. The webinar was well-supported with around 300 participants, which featured a discussion with a lineup of the moderator: Ms. Sammie Leung, Climate and Sustainability Leader, PwC Mainland China and Hong Kong, Ms. Chaoni Huang, Head of Sustainable Capital Markets, Global Markets Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas; Vice President and Secretary General, Hong Kong Green Finance Association, Mr. Patrick Tsang, Chairman, Tsangs Group.
AFF Webinar Series: Enabling Recovery Through Resilient Sustainability and Responsible Investment
18 June 2020
Moderator
- Ms. Sammie Leung, Climate and Sustainability Leader, PwC Mainland China and Hong Kong
Speakers
- Ms. Chaoni Huang, Head of Sustainable Capital Markets, Global Markets Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas; Vice President and Secretary General, Hong Kong Green Finance Association
- Mr. Patrick Tsang, Chairman, Tsangs Group
Key takeaways from the webinar
- There is increasing momentum and focus on sustainable development, be it in the business sector or the public sector. In times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong as an international financial hub is an advantage in motivating sustainable capital raising.
- Opportunities are emerging but we need more resources to be allocated on capital commitment, building a transparent market, and refining more favorable policies and regulations for a holistic environment to develop green finance.
- Sustainability should not be sacrificed for economic recovery and development but it should be a focus to rebuild resilience and infrastructures for a green economy.
Ms. Sammie Leung, Climate and Sustainability Leader, PwC Mainland China and Hong Kong remarked that COVID-19 is a wake-up call for a transition of our economy. At present, over-consumption and over-production are common yet unnecessary. She encouraged that collective effort from the government, business sector, and the public is required to address the climate change issues and make a difference.
Ms. Chaoni Huang, Head of Sustainable Capital Markets, Global Markets Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas; Vice President and Secretary General, Hong Kong Green Finance Association had high hopes in the way forward of green finance. “The Covid-19 has presented us with a reset opportunity to rebuild our resilience and strength in our economies and societies. With trillion-dollar worth stimulus plans announced by governments, people and the planet need to be the core beneficiaries so that the new normal will be green and inclusive.”
Mr. Patrick Tsang, Chairman, Tsangs Group stressed the importance of education and building awareness in terms of entrepreneurship and sustainable development. As the public has yet to develop a sustainable development mindset, accompanied by a lack of entrepreneurship opportunities, awareness constructing across all sectors is key to boost the green finance industry in the long term.
From Left to Right: Ms. Chaoni Huang, Head of Sustainable Capital Markets, Global Markets Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas; Vice President and Secretary General, Hong Kong Green Finance Association, Ms. Sammie Leung, Climate and Sustainability Leader, PwC Mainland China and Hong Kong, Mr. Patrick Tsang, Chairman, Tsangs Group