2025 Nature-based Solutions for Climate

Partner, CREM; Programme Manager, Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF)

Wijnand Broer studied Economics, Marketing and Horticulture at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and is a partner at the Dutch Sustainability consultancy CREM. He has been working with CREM since 1993 and specialises in the areas of Business & Biodiversity, Sustainable Finance and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in international supply chains.

Wijnand is Programme manager at the Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF), a partnership of over 70 financial institutions from 20 countries. PBAF offers guidance on biodiversity impact and dependency assessment in the financial sector, including a focus on impacts on ecosystem services, the valuation and monetisation of these services and the business case of Nature based Solutions. Wijnand is an advisory board member to a number of international finance & nature related projects and initiatives, including SUSTAIN, SELINA, NINA, Align and BiROFin, and a contributing author to the IPBES ‘Approaches for measurement of business dependencies and impacts on biodiversity’.

Managing Director, Seneca Impact Advisors 

Jean-Marc is the Managing Director of Seneca Impact Advisors where he leads all aspects of Seneca’s work.

Before launching Seneca, Jean-Marc spent 7 years at WWF, leading Bankable Nature Solutions in the Asia-Pacific region, fostering impactful projects supported by the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development. He also played a vital role in creating the Climate Impact Asia Fund, overseeing its investment advisory committee. With a 17-year finance background advising on equities and derivatives, including roles at Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas in New York, Tokyo, and Singapore, Jean-Marc combines financial expertise with a commitment to sustainable initiatives. He holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Clarkson University.

Director, Conservation, WWF-Hong Kong

Dr. Bosco Chan has been leading biodiversity research and conservation projects in China and Cambodia for over two decades, such as saving the world’s rarest primate the Hainan Gibbon, managing a rainforest reserve in Hainan half the size of Hong Kong, protecting Cambodia’s threatened dipterocarp forest and wildlife, and discovering new to science species in unexplored forests. Bosco obtained his PhD from the University of Hong Kong and has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications on a wide range of biodiversity conservation topics. He is a member of various IUCN SSC Specialist Groups and strive to contribute to the protection of threatened species in Hong Kong and the broader region.

Head of Sustainability, MTR Corporation

Jessica is the Head of Sustainability at MTR Corporation, responsible for formulating sustainability strategies, driving the implementation of initiatives, and developing key performance indicators to measure and enhance the company’s sustainability performance. She oversees the sustainability-related disclosures at the company, including the disclosure with reference to the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

With over 25 years of experience in environmental and corporate sustainability, Jessica is a seasoned sustainability professional with a broad array of expertise. She serves on various international and local sustainability-related committees, including UITP’s Sustainable Development Committee, WEF’s Community of ESG Practitioners, and HKGCC’s Environment & Sustainability Committee. In addition, Jessica is a member of the Programme Advisory Committee for an MSc sustainability programme at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and an Advisory Board member for an MSc ESG Management programme at Lingnan University. Since 2021, she has been a member of the Board of Examiners for HKMA’s Hong Kong Sustainability Award.

President, Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects

Mr. Chan, a seasoned landscape architect, boasts academic expertise in architecture, project management, law, and landscape architecture. Transitioning through roles in architectural consultancies and construction firms, he eventually led a project management department at an international developer before directing landscape architecture at Earthasia Limited. His journey continued as the founding head of landscape architecture at THEi and as a co-founder at Otherland Limited. Mr. Chan has helmed numerous significant projects in Hong Kong and neighboring areas, spanning public realm, institutional, infrastructural, residential, and commercial landscapes. Actively engaged in various professional and consultative bodies and NGOs, he currently presides over the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects and leads multiple committees focused on town planning, land conservation, urban forestry, and climate adaptation. His leadership roles extend internationally, notably as Chairperson of the Climate Change and Biodiversity Working Group for the International Federation of Landscape Architects Asia Pacific Regions.

Head of the Department of Design and Architecture, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi)

Dr. Yin-Lun Chan is a landscape architect and urban historian, currently Head of the Department of Design and Architecture at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi). He holds a PhD in Architectural History, Master of Landscape Architecture, and has backgrounds in geography and engineering. He is Vice President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA), Chief Editor the HKILA Journal Yuanlin, and Chair of the Centre for Community Cultural Development (CCCD). His teaching and research explore intersections of ecology, community, and landscape architecture. He is editor of The Landscape Profession in Hong Kong, 1978–2015.

Head of Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department, The HKSAR Government

IR Dr. Raymond Cheung has more than thirty years’ experience in civil and geotechnical engineering. He has been involved in a number of mega infrastructure projects in Hong Kong under the Airport Core Programme, including the Airport Railway, Chek Lap Kok International Airport reclamation and Western Harbour Crossing, before joining the Hong Kong SAR Government in the late 1990s. He has published tens of technical papers and one book on various fields of civil and geotechnical engineering. He is a member of various international technical committees such as Technical Committee 205 (Safety and Serviceability) of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), the School Scientific Committee of Landslide Risk Assessment and Mitigation (LARAM), and the International Network on Landslide Early Warning Systems (LandAware). He is currently Head of the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department overseeing control of geotechnical works, setting geotechnical standards, mining operation and quarrying, tunneling and underground space development, the Landslip Prevention and Mitigation Programme, and the landslide emergency services.

Asia ESG Research Lead, BNP Paribas Asset Management; Co-leader of TNFD and Biodiversity Workstream, HKGFA

Crystal joined BNPPAM's Sustainability Centre in the beginning of 2023 focusing on ESG integration across all asset classes in Asia. As the dedicated research lead for the Asian region, she drives the research, development and implementation of ESG research which supports ESG integration in the region – including with our Asian joint venture business partners – aligned with BNPP AM's Global Sustainability Strategy. Crystal is also responsible for supporting sustainability engagement activities with companies in the region.

She has 10 years of diverse sustainability experience. She was the Principle ESG expert and Head of ESG Strategy at Ping An Insurance Group (2018-2022). Crystal was also previously ESG consultant at Ernst & Young and the Head of China ESG solutions at S&P Global. She has participated in the establishment of several ESG regulations in China and overseas. Crystal holds MBA in Finance from Cornell University and Tsinghua University, Msc in Building Performance and Sustainability from the National University of Singapore, and is an accredited professional with LEED and WELL.

Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House

Jiangwen Guo is a Senior Research Fellow with the Environment and Society Centre at Chatham House. Her research interests are policy analysis of international and Chinese climate policy and governance, environment governance, sustainable supply chains, and green growth plans and implementations.

She holds 20s years’ experience in the related areas in developing countries with significant policy deployment. She directs the UK–China climate risk assessment cooperation, with strategic guidance to ensure that climate risk assessment leads to effective climate risk management at the global, national, and subnational levels.

President, Institution of Civil Engineers

He is a Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks at the University of Oxford and is internationally recognized for his research on risk analysis in water resource systems, flooding and coastal engineering, infrastructure systems, and climate change adaptation. Prof Hall is a member of the UK Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology and a Commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission. He served on the UK Independent Committee on Climate Change Adaptation from 2009 to 2019.

He led the development of the National Infrastructure Systems Model (NISMOD), which was used in the ICE’s National Needs Assessment and the UK’s first National Infrastructure Assessment. Prof Hall also invented and now chairs the UK Data and Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure (DAFNI).

Among his many distinctions, Prof Hall was awarded the ICE’s George Stephenson Medal in 2001 and the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water in 2018. He was a contributing author to the Nobel Prize-winning Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Programme Director, MSc Environmental Management, University of Hong Kong

Prof. Hau is a terrestrial ecologist and a conservationist. His research focus is ecological restoration, especially for terrestrial habitats in degraded tropical East Asia. He founded the Native Tree Nursery of the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) which promotes the use of native plant species in forest restoration work. He is also one of the founders of the China programme of KFBG which aims at halting biodiversity loss in South China. He serves in government committees on ecology and conservation. He is currently a member of the Town Planning Board.

East Asia Senior Innovation and Sustainable Development Manager, Arup

As Senior East Asia Innovation Manager, Jasper is leading the facilitation and enablement of an innovation culture across Arup’s East Asia region which includes about 3,000 members of staff in 12 offices. This entails building a formal innovation pipeline, for teams and groups, to enable, capture and drive innovation through both internal and external collaboration.

His responsibility as Senior East Asia Sustainable Development Manager is to ensure that Arup’s global “A Better Way Strategy” is successfully contextualized and implemented across the region. Key activities include equipping various teams on how to address sustainable developments in projects and bring clients on board, be a driver to accelerate internal and external action in Arup’s sphere of influence and look after Arup’s corporate net zero strategy.

Jasper is a passionate advocate for Sustainable Development and is an expert in optimizing social, environmental and economic values in any type of project. Understanding that Innovation is instrumental in scaling these values, he constantly seeks and facilitates solutions and approaches that go beyond business as usual..

Head of Sustainable Development, Swire Properties Limited

Member to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)

Mr Patrick Ho is responsible for formulating and executing a corporate sustainability strategy for Swire Properties’ global operations across Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and U.S.A. portfolios. Through engaging stakeholders, setting targets and developing action plans, he leads a team to manage the full spectrum of the Company’s environmental, social and economic impact and to integrate ESG considerations into every facet of Swire Properties’ business.  

Patrick is a Chartered Environmentalist, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and a Certified Carbon Auditor Professional. He sits on the Board of Business Environment Council and Corporate Advisory Board of World Green Building Council, and is a Member to the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Expert Advisory Group for Building Sector, and a Steering Committee Member of Climate Change Business Forum of the Business Environment Council.

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Vana, a nature-based solutions developer, and Development Finance Asia (DFA), an investment platform focused on emerging Asia

Tom has served on the Investment and Executive Committees as consultant to IFC-backed Asian investment platforms, and has worked with development banks to restructure companies.

Tom sits on the advisory board for The Nature Conservancy in Mongolia and is on the global executive board for the Alliance for Responsible Forest Management. He also serves as a Director at Tula, a joint venture with DFA, Seneca Impact Advisors, and Net Zero Asia, dedicated to identifying and expanding nature-positive projects by securing private capital.

Previously, Tom was Managing Partner at Cube Capital in Hong Kong, and has successfully invested/managed over half a billion USD across Asia. Tom started his career at J.P. Morgan in New York, London, Singapore and Tokyo.

Tom holds a BA from Cornell University and an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of Oxford.

Executive Director, Civic Exchange

Lawrence Iu is the Executive Director of Civic Exchange. His research and engagement projects focus on climate change modelling and carbon neutrality policy issues. Mr Iu previously worked in a multinational corporation and a higher institution, where he coordinated environmental sustainability and occupational health & safety projects across Asia Pacific and led emerging technology management, circular economy and green chemistry research. He was awarded two research grants for enhancing process hazard assessment. Mr Iu holds a Master of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering, a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management and a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Bioproduct Engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Deputy Chief Planner, Urban Planning & Design Institute of Shenzhen

Having long been dedicated to livable city, multi-scale urban design, park city, and nature-friendly public spaces.

Representative works: Shenzhen Greenway Network Special Planning (2011 Edition), National Land and Space Planning of Qianhai Cooperation Zone, Overall Urban Design and Special Project for Preserving Characteristic Landscape of Shenzhen, Urban Design and Implementation Plan of Shenzhen's "Mountain -Sea Vistas City Plan", etc.

Chief Executive, Hong Kong Maritime Museum

Richard Kendall has been Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum since March 2023, following a 38-year commercial career with the Swire group. Despite being involved in many different industries in his career, his lifelong passion has been for maritime matters, and he spent five years at sea with the British Royal Navy before moving to Asia in 1984. While leading Swire’s shipping company in the 2000s he initiated the first unilateral commitment by a shipping company to burn only low sulphur fuel in ships calling at ports in the Greater Bay Area. In 2023, following a decade spent in aviation engineering, Aviation Week awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award, citing principally his leadership in furthering the cause of environmental sustainability for the aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul industry. Since joining HKMM last year he has led the development of embedding marine conservation and maritime sustainability as core missions for the museum. He holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.

Former head of observatory, Senior Advisor of Hong Kong 2050 is now

Lam Chiu Ying is a meteorologist by profession, naturalist by hobby and conservationist by practice. He was the director of the Hong Kong Observatory 2003-1009 and is one of only two Chinese scientists elected an Honorary Fellow of the UK Royal Meteorological Society. He is a veteran bird-watcher and a co-author of Birds of Hong Kong and South China, the “bible” of bird-watchers in the region. He is now Honorary President of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. His latest interest is the roadside flora of Hong Kong. He maintains an active series “One Flower a Day” on social media. His extensive nature-themed travels over decades have prompted him to appreciate the close relationship between climate, ecology and human societies. This has led to his involvement in rural revitalization projects in Hong Kong. He was a founding member of the Hong Kong Countryside Foundation and is now its Chairman.

Founding Member, Hong Kong Wetlands Conservation Association

Dr. Michael Lau is a renowned herpetologist and conservationist in Hong Kong. He conducted his Ph.D. research on the ecology of Hong Kong amphibians and the conservation of the endemic Romer’s Tree Frog. During his time with HKU, he also took part in the Hong Kong Biodiversity Survey. His work experience includes leading the South China forest conservation programme in Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden as well as wetlands and local biodiversity conservation in WWF-Hong Kong. He is now a free-lance consultant and is an adjunct professor in the School of Biological Sciences, HKU.  He played an active role in formulating the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and sat in the Steering Committee. He is a member of three Specialist Groups (on amphibians and reptiles) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and helps conduct assessments for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. He is also a founding member of the Hong Kong Wetlands Conservation Association. 

Chief Engineer, Civil Engineering and Development Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Ir Leung is currently Chief Engineer of North Development Office of Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), leading a division in taking forward the San Tin Technopole (STT) including the site formation and required infrastructure and supporting facilities. Located at the heart of the Northern Metropolis, STT will become a hub for clustered innovation and technology (I&T) development that creates synergy with Shenzhen I&T Zone as well as a new community for quality, healthy and green living.

She is a chartered civil engineer in HKIE and has joined the Government for more than 20 years, holding different positions in the Transport Department, Development Bureau and the CEDD, and contributing to the infrastructure development in Hong Kong.

PhD candidate in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Mengru Li holds an MSc in Hydro Science and Engineering from Technische Universität Dresden. Her research focuses on leveraging innovative modeling techniques and nature-based solutions to address urban climate challenges. She is particularly interested in sustainable urban development, with a focus on mitigating flooding, urban heat, and stormwater impacts. By integrating technical modeling, green infrastructure strategies, and stakeholder engagement, Mengru seeks to promote adaptive and resilient solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation in urban environments.

Director, Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
BSSc, MSc, FHKIP, RPP, MHKIUD, PRC Registered Urban Planner Qualification, SBS

Prof. Kar-kan Ling is a professional town planner. He was the Director of Planning of the HKSAR Government (2012-2016), President of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners (2007-2009) and Director of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (2017-2023). He was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2017 and InnoStars Award 2021. He is now the Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) and Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). He serves the community as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Housing Society and Chairman of the Country and Marine Parks Board. He is also the Adjunct Professor of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Professor of Practice (Planning) of PolyU.

Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Former Under Secretary for the Environment

She was Under Secretary for the Environment in the HKSAR Government (2012-17), Special Consultant to the Chief Executive on the mainland’s ecological civilization policy (2019-20), and a Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council (1992-97 and 1998-20). She is currently a board member of Global Maritime Forum, New Forests Pty Ltd, and Towngas Smart Energy Company Limited, and is Asia Society’s Scholar in Residence (2023-24). She is also a Steering Committee member of the United Nations International Organization for Migration’s new Climate Mobility Innovation Lab. Loh has been active in public policy and politics since the 1980s. She founded and was the CEO of the non-profit think tank, Civic Exchange (2000-12), and helped to establish several non-profit organizations in Hong Kong related to the environment, equal opportunity, and arts and culture.

Director, Impact Programs, Columbia University Climate School and Adjunct Faculty

She specializes in urban climate adaptation planning and public infrastructure project design that is forward-looking and conscious of community-based and ecosystem resilience. At CRCL, she manages the Resilience Accelerator, which delivers strategic support, technical design and climate systems research, and intensive local workshops to advance resilience project design and implementation in partnership with local governments around the world.  Prior to joining CRCL, Johanna worked as a Senior Analyst and Program Manager at HR&A Advisors, where she scaled resilience capacity-building models, developed city- and district-wide climate adaptation plans, and supported the design and evaluation of transformational urban resilience infrastructure investments. As City Planner at the New York City Department of City Planning, she researched planning opportunities in post-industrial, waterfront communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Chief Executive Officer, Business Environment Council

He works closely with BEC Board of Directors in setting and implementing organisation goals and strategies conducive to supporting BEC members and the wider business community in the transition towards net-zero economy and a sustainable Hong Kong. Mr Ng runs BEC’s daily operations, leads BEC’s policy contributions, and ensures BEC’s continuing relevance in bringing and creating value to its stakeholders and the community at large. He is also the Vice-Chair of BEC’s three Advisory Groups. Mr Ng has over 25 years of experience in academic and policy research, project management and stakeholder engagement. In particular, Mr Ng is known for his ground-breaking work on ship emissions inventory and evidence-based control policy in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, and his instrumental role in the Fair Winds Charter – a voluntary business initiative to reduce ship emissions. Before taking the CEO position, Mr Ng was BEC’s Director of Policy & Research for 3 years. Prior to joining BEC, he was Chief Research Officer of a Hong Kong based think tank, and held teaching and research positions in several local universities. Currently, Mr Ng is a Member of the Advisory Council on the Environment, the Harbourfront Commission, and the Lantau Development Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Internationally, Mr Ng is an Expert Member of the UNCRD Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport Forum in Asia since 2006.

Senior Manager, Sustainability, Airport Authority Hong Kong

Martin is a senior level sustainability professional with 30 years’ experience working in the environmental / sustainability sector, primarily in Hong Kong and with a focus on aviation.

Martin played a key role during the environmental planning for HKIA’s expansion into a three-runway system and a major work focus has been implementing far-reaching mitigation and enhancement commitments during project implementation. One focus has been the development of a Marine Ecology and Fisheries Enhancement Strategy, involving the establishment and operation of marine ecology enhancement and fisheries enhancement application and funding cycles and implementation of various ecological enhancement initiatives, intended to add benefit to nearby marine habitats. An ongoing collaborative project is the piloting / scaling up of shellfish reef arrays along sections of the new HKIA seawalls.

He has also had a lead role in many other AA sustainability programs, including waste management and circular economy initiatives, driving a greener supply chain and contributions to recent AA sustainable financing. He previously led the design and roll out of an airport-wide carbon footprint and emissions reduction program, establishing a partnering and engagement approach across the airport business community to leverage a reduced collective airport environmental footprint.

Martin has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in marine resource management and he is a professional member of both the Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment and the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals.

Partner, ERM Hong Kong

Ben Ridley is a Partner with ERM Hong Kong and has 30 years’ experience across environmental consulting, corporate ESG advisory, and sustainable finance. His work spans ESG strategic advisory, environmental/social baseline and impact assessment, remedial action plan development, and written opinion and reporting. In previous roles Ben was inter alia Asia Pacific Head of ESG Financing & Advisory at Credit Suisse AG from 2008-2023. From 2004-2008 he was Director at BMT Group mostly advising corporates and financial institutions across Asia on sustainability matters. He has held various sustainable finance advisory roles and remains an independent advisor to two social impact funds. He holds academic and professional qualifications in Ecology, Environmental Management, and finance.

Co-Chair, AR6 Working Group II, IPCC

Prof. Debra Roberts holds a PhD in urban biogeography and is currently head of the Sustainable and Resilient City Initiatives Unit in eThekwini Municipality (Durban, South Africa). She was a lead author of Chapter 8 (Urban Areas) and a contributing author to Chapter 12 (Africa) of Working Group II’s contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

She was elected Co-Chair of Working Group II in 2015. Under her co-leadership Working Group II published the IPCC Special Report on Ocean and the Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) in 2019 and contributed to the Special Reports on “Climate Change and Land” and “Global warming of 1.5°C in 2018. She was a member of the Scientific Steering Committee of the IPCC co-sponsored International Conference on Climate Change and Cities in 2018 and IPCC-IPBES co-sponsored workshop on “Biodiversity and Climate Change” in 2020. Prof Roberts co-led the Scientific Steering Committees of the IPCC-UNHabitat-GCom co-sponsored Innovate for Cities Conference and the IPCC-ICOMOS- UNESCO international co-sponsored meeting on Culture, Heritage and Climate Change, both held in 2021.

Prof. Roberts is an Honorary Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the School of Life Sciences and has been an advisor to the Global Commission on Adaptation, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and the United Nations Secretary General’s 2019 Climate Summit. She was a member of the South African United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiating team until December 2015, and has sat on various international advisory bodies focused on climate change issues in cities (e.g., the Rockefeller Foundation’s Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network and UN-Habitat’s 2011 ‘Cities and Climate Change’ Global Report). In 2019 she was included in a list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People in Climate Policy.

Executive Director, Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD)
Strategic Lead, Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD) and Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP)

Mieke Siebers is a leader in fostering collaboration and innovation at the intersection of ecosystem services, nature valuation, and sustainable decision-making. As Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD), she drives initiatives that bridge science, policy, and practice to advance the economic valuation of nature, including through the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD).

Mieke specializes in business development and cross-sector networking, championing transdisciplinary approaches to address complex environmental challenges. She has led dissemination efforts for public-private partnership projects, including collaborations with Wageningen Economic Research, Allianz, Deloitte, and ING, focusing on datasets that assess the macroeconomic effects of ecosystem services loss and the costs and benefits of nature-based solutions (NbS). She has also supported the World Bank in developing a global dataset on NbS costs and benefits and co-authored studies with ASN Bank and the Municipality of Eindhoven to quantify the monetary value of impacts on ecosystem services.

An active member of international networks, Mieke chaired the Ecosystem Services working group for financial institutions within PBAF and was delegation lead for the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) at key events, including CBD COP16. She firmly believes that monetary valuation of ecosystem services provides the essential language to shift from business-as-usual to nature-based solutions and foster a more sustainable future.

Design Director, AECOM (Hong Kong)

Stephen is a UK-chartered landscape architect and urban designer with twenty years of professional experience, ranging from master planning to detailed landscape/architectural design on international projects. He received his master’s degree in urban design from the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) in 2004 and has a degree in engineering with business finance (UCL).

As Design Director for the Hong Kong Design Studio, Stephen’s diverse background in engineering and urban design has enabled him to lead multi-disciplinary teams on large scale development and regeneration projects. Stephen’s work has included projects in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Notable projects include London 2012 Olympic and Legacy Masterplan and Parkland Design; West Kowloon Cultural District; Northern Metropolis' masterplans and the award-winning Tung Chung East Eco-shoreline design. .

Associate Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Hong Kong

Marine is responsible for overseeing TNC’s marine conservation projects on the ground, with a current focus on restoring natural habitats, community-based conservation, and developing sustainable oyster aquaculture in Deep Bay as nature based solutions. Marine is also restoration ecologist specializing in shellfish reefs. Over the past 8 years, she has been developing restoration methods, evaluating ecosystem services that shellfish reefs provide, and advocating for policy changes that support widespread restoration efforts in Hong Kong's waters. She also works on large scale innovative projects, including the retrofitting of the 3rd Runway Seawall of the airport, in partnership with the Airport Authority Hong Kong.

Group Senior Manager - Sustainability, Vitasoy International

Carol holds a degree in Environmental Science and a master’s in Biology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Through her early career as an environmental consultant, she conducted various environmental impact and biological risk assessments, ensuring projects complied with regulations and minimized negative impacts on the nature and the environment. With over a decade of experience in corporate sustainability across various industries, Carol advocates for enhanced management of nature-related impacts and dependencies along the value chain. She develops sustainability strategies and promotes responsible resource use within the organization. Currently at Vitasoy, a company that champions a plant-based diet, Carol leads the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) initiatives and drives their integration across business operations.

Group Sustainability Manager, Gammon Construction Limited

Eddie has more than 27 years experience in construction and environmental field and specializes in sediment and land contamination assessment and remediation, carbon/energy management, renewable energy projects and waste/asbestos management. He has been involved in a number of infrastructure and building projects such as road and drainage, site formation and land decontamination, railway, power plant emission control facility, tunnel and rock cavern and Central Government Complex.

Eddie is the vice chairman of Environment Committee, Hong Kong Construction Association and member of Climate Change Business Forum of the Business Environment Council. He is a co-opted member of the Sustainable Development Committee, Climate Change Framework for Built Environment Embodied Carbon Expert Group member and Green Product Market Taskforce member of the Hong Kong Green Building Council. Eddie is alsoappointed by BEAM Society to be member of Materials Aspects and Construction Environmental Management Expert Panels, and a member of CARES Assured Steel Certification Sustainability Technical Committee.

Eddie graduated in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia in Canada, and has a Master of Science (Major in Environmental Engineering) degree from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Eddie is a Fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals, Certified Carbon Auditor under the CIC Green Product Certification Scheme, Certified Energy Manager/Carbon Audit Professional of US Association of Energy Engineer and a Qualified Project Assessor of UK BREEAM Infrastructure. He is also a qualified assessor of CIC Sustainable Finance Certification Scheme and a Certified ESG Analyst CESGA® of The European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies.

Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, member of the Environment and Resources Committee
Vice Chair of the National Expert Committee on Climate Change
Researcher at the Institute of Science and Development Strategy, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Prof. Wang Yi is the Director of the Center for Carbon Neutrality Strategy of the Institutes of Science and Development (ISD) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), member of Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China. Prior to current position, Prof. Wang was Vice President of the CASISD (2016-2022) and Director-General of CAS Institute of Policy and Management (2005-2015). Before 2005, he was a Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy at the CAS Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (1997-2004).

Prof. Wang’s current posts include: Member of the NPC Committee of Environment Protection and Resources Conservation; Professor of UCAS School of Public Policy and Management; Vice chair of the China Expert Panel on Climate Change; Member of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) and Co-Team Leader of CCICED Special Policy Study on Climate; Lead advisor of Chinese Delegation to UNFCCC COP; Independent Advisor to the CIFF Programme Investment Committee; Member of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Advisory Council; Member of the WEF Tropical Forest Alliance’s (TFA) Steering Committee. He also served as former vice chair of the ISO Climate Change Coordinating Committee (2014-2016) and advisor of a dozen of domestic and bi- and multi-lateral international organizations, foundations, and associations related to energy, the environment, and sustainable development.

Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE)
Registered professional engineer (PE) in Kentucky, USA

Dr. Yuhong Wang, a professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, holds expertise in construction management and pavement engineering. His research spans various topics within these disciplines, focusing on infrastructure sustainability issues like carbon emissions, life-cycle analysis, and environmental impacts. Dr. Wang's recent endeavors include integrating nature-based solutions into traditional infrastructure practices. In pavement engineering, his work ranges from pavement structure design to novel research on asphalt materials and smart road technologies. Notably, his team developed advanced microscopy techniques for asphalt characterization at the molecular level. Funded projects explore smart road solutions such as 3D-printing for noise reduction and innovative pavement construction methods. Dr. Wang's team also investigates pollutants from asphalt construction and their health effects, developing analytical methods for precise assessment. His contributions are detailed in research publications on nature-based infrastructure and pavement advancements.

Global Adaptation Finance and Partnership Lead, Asia Pacific, TNC

As the Global Adaptation Finance and Partnership Lead, Laura Whitford oversees adaptation finance and partnership development & management as part of TNC’s Global Climate Adaptation team. She provides strategic leadership and support to the team, liaising closely with both external partners and other teams within TNC to expand TNC’s offering of adaptation strategies based on equitable finance delivery mechanisms.

Laura has worked in the Asia Pacific region for over 20 years on partnerships, policies and programs focused on sustainable natural resource management, climate adaptation, equity and economic development. She has a Master of Environmental Management and International Development from the University of Melbourne; a Graduate Diploma in Communication Management from the University of Technology, Sydney; and a Bachelor of Science with first-class Honours in Psychology from the University of Sydney. Laura is based in Australia.

Former Secretary for the Environment (2012-2022), Hong Kong SAR Government

During his decade-long role as the Secretary for the Environment, Wong has spearheaded Hong Kong's transition towards carbon neutrality by 2050 through policy initiatives on climate action, clean energy, electric vehicles, waste management, and biodiversity. Before his government position, Wong made significant contributions to sustainable architecture with projects like Verbena Heights and the Zero Carbon Building. He also engaged in volunteer work on sustainable infrastructure projects, notably in Gansu Province, China. Wong's leadership extends to chairing charitable foundations and committees focused on environmental sustainability and green building standards in Hong Kong. He played key roles in developing guidelines such as HKGBC's BEAM Plus and the Buildings Department's energy efficiency requirements, showcasing his commitment to advancing sustainable practices in the urban landscape of Hong Kong.

Deputy Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Development Bureau, HKSAR Government

Ms Pecvin Yong is the Deputy Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office. Her office assumes an overall championing and co-ordinating role in taking forward the Northern Metropolis initiative, and provides strategic policy steer for land development projects in the area. She was a former Principal Assistant Secretary of the Housing Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau as well as the Education Bureau.

Ms Yong holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Computer Science) from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Science in Management degree from the Stanford University.

Head of Sustainable Banking Development, Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Ronald is responsible for the formulation and implementation of banking policy to promote sustainable banking activities and facilitate the management of climate and related risks.

Prior to his current role, Ronald was Head of Sustainable Finance for Asia at a major international bank, where he completed numerous landmark Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked transactions in the financing and capital markets. Besides, he was an active member of the sustainable finance community in the region, playing leadership roles in a number of industry associations as well as contributing to market development and capacity building.

Ronald had over 20 years of experience in banking, finance and investment with leading institutions based in New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong.

He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (concentration in Finance) from the Wharton School and Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Systems from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Ronald also holds a Master’s degree in Business Law and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

East Asia Landscape Architecture Leader and Regional Lead – Nature Positive Design, Arup

Claudia brings over 17 years of expertise in landscape architecture across Hong Kong, Mainland China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. As the East Asia Landscape Architecture and Nature Positive Design Leader, she oversees a range of projects from conception to construction. She is a member of HKILA, LI, and the IUCN. Committed to integrating nature-based solutions, she leverages innovative technologies to enhance project outcomes and promote sustainability in her work. She specializes in urban forestry, biodiversity design, and river revitalization for large-scale planning proposals, as well as sustainable water drainage and zero-irrigation systems in building projects. Among these, she has achieved several multi-award-winning designs and projects, such as the Research Project of the Landscape Carbon Footprint Calculator, the Feasibility Study and Detailed Design of Qianwan Park, the Redevelopment Study of the Green Deck, the Qianhai Hong Kong Youth Architectural Design Competition, Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island, and Chongqing Starlight Place in China.

Director of Climate Change Strategy, TNC China Programme

Fan Zhang leads the climate change strategy work for TNC China Programme, focusing on natural climate solutions.

Prior joining TNC, Fan had sixteen years’ experience in consulting firms, specialized in both climate change mitigation and adaptation, which include: climate change risk assessment, Paris Agreement alignment assessment; GHG emission reduction accounting, validation, and verification; low carbon and sustainable urban planning and design; climate resilience planning; environmental and social safeguarding of infrastructure investment; net zero roadmap establishing for cities etc.

Director, Strategic Partnerships (Asia Pacific) and Hong Kong Program Lead, TNC Hong Kong

Lulu Zhou is Director, Strategic Partnerships (Asia Pacific) and Hong Kong Program Lead, leading the philanthropy and conservation programs in Hong Kong. Her responsibility focuses on both building the conservation vision and on-the-ground work locally, and strengthening the supporter base in Hong Kong that ensures TNC’s financial sustainability throughout Asia Pacific region.

Ms. Zhou joined TNC in 2008, first as Conservation Project Officer and later as Director of Strategic Development, when she oversaw the planning and implementation of a comprehensive development program to secure philanthropic resources for the China program.

Prior to joining TNC, Zhou worked as Program Manager for Sustainable Development at the UN Foundation, where she managed a 30-million USD grant portfolio. She holds a BA in Tourism Management from Hunan University and a MS in Conservation Social Sciences from the University of Idaho in the U.S.