On Monday, October 25, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific, Asia Society Northern California will host a virtual program on Hong Kong Goes Carbon Neutral with Hong Kong Secretary for the Environment, Mr. Wong Kam-sing moderated by Patrick Suckling, non-resident Senior Fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI). This program is sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, San Francisco.

Secretary Wong will discuss Hong Kong’s pathway towards carbon neutrality.  In November 2020, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced the target to strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.  To this end, Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan is being updated and will include more proactive decarbonisation strategies and measures.  To support the decarbonisation journey, the Government has launched the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035, Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong 2035, and Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050. Secretary Wong will discuss these updates and the business opportunities arising from the decarbonization plans.

This program is complimentary and open to the global community. 

AGENDA

Date: Monday, October 25, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific

5:00 p.m.    Program Begins
6:00 p.m.    Program Concludes

Link to join virtually via Zoom will be emailed the day before and an hour before the program is scheduled to begin by Rexille Uy, Director of Programs ([email protected]).  This will be a webinar program; attendees will not appear on camera and will participate via the Q&A box.

SPEAKERS

Mr. Kam-sing Wong has been the Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government since 1 July 2012.  He launched and updated a number of policy blueprints covering climate actions, energy saving, air quality, popularization of electric vehicles, waste management and biodiversity.  During his current tenure, the HKSAR Government pledged to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.

As an architect by profession, Mr. Wong has been promoting sustainable built environment since 1990s.  He served as the founding Chairman of the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Chairman of the Professional Green Building Council and the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Green Building Council.

Patrick Suckling (Moderator) is a non-resident Senior Fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute.  Mr. Suckling has over twenty five years foreign, trade and investment, development and climate policy experience.  He led international policy and engagement for two Prime Ministers as head of International Division, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and served as an Adviser to Foreign Minister Downer.  He has been Australia’s High Commissioner to India, served at the Australian Embassy in Washington working on the Australia-U.S. Alliance and been Australia’s Senior Official for APEC.  He has led Australia’s consular support for Australians overseas, media and parliamentary engagement for the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, and overseen comprehensive incoming government briefing for two Foreign Ministers and Australia’s Trade Minister. 

Mr. Suckling was most recently Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment, leading on Paris Agreement negotiations, strategy for Australia’s $1 billion climate finance commitment and bilateral cooperation on climate change with key countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.  This included chairing the influential Umbrella Group of developed countries - including the United States, Russia, Japan, and Canada - in UNFCCC negotiations for four years.  He is currently a Senior Partner at Pollination, a specialist climate advisory, and investment firm.

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