“International Cooperation to tackle climate change is more important than ever, we can all learn from each other and every little step counts”, was the main theme of a Nov. 10, 2021 conference at the Business Environment Council’ Auditorium in Hong Kong. Forward-thinking business leaders, organizations and officials from Austria and Hong Kong highlighted parallel to the UN Climate Change Conference COP-26 some of their initiatives to contribute to climate protection. The Austrian Consulate General Karl ERNST awarded The Sustainable Lantau Office of the Hong Kong Civil Engineering and Development Department with the prestigious Energy Globe Award for its engagement project to get the public involved in the planning as well as the development of sustainable measures for the new town extension on Lantau Island. Finally, yet importantly, Austrian companies with a footprint in Hong Kong introduced their environment-friendly solutions. The conference was organized by the Austrian Consulate General Hong Kong and ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Hong Kong under the ReFocus Austria Initiative and by the Business Environmental Council.
According to the Business Environment Council’s CEO Adam Koo, Hong Kong and the Council encourage international dialogue between Hong Kong and other countries and regions such as Austria to adopt best practice solutions for the public and private sector in Hong Kong. Green-tech, smart cities solutions and green financing can all play an important role to achieve ambitious international climate change goals. Austrian company representatives based in Hong Kong pointed out that Austria and its companies have been at the forefront of climate protection for many years already and came up with innovative green tech products and solutions. Business leaders sharing their companies’ insights included:
- Raising awareness on the potential of sustainable fibres and fabrics across the entire supply chains (Rex MOK, General Manager, Lenzing Application Center Hong Kong)
- Erste Group Bank sees social engagement and environmental protection as strategic cornerstones (Oliver HOFFMANN, Managing Director & Head of Asia, Erste Group)
- Bringing Sustainable Timber Engineering to Hong Kong and Asia
(Phyllis CHONG, Business Development Manager, Rubner Holzbau) - Eco-friendly water technology from Austria (Kevin TAM, Grander Water Technology)
- ColiMinder – VWMS’s water quality monitoring solution (Wendy Lai, GUYLINE (Asia) Limited)
The event took place within the scope of ReFocus Austria, a joint initiative of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the Austrian National Tourist Board and representatives of further Austrian Ministries.
Pic shows from left Adam Koo/Business Environment Council, Rex Mok/Lenzing Hong Kong, Phyllis Chong/Rubner Holzbau, Oliver Hoffmann/Erste Group, Karl Ernst/Austrian Consul General, Raymond IP/Sustainable Lantau Office, Simon NG/Business Environment Council and Franz Roessler/ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Hong Kong. Not in the pic is virtual speaker Ulrike Ritzinger/Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs
