Around 400 professionals gathered at leading built environment summit to address urgent climate change challenges

HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 24 May 2019 - The region'sgrowing vulnerability to climate-related catastrophes was chief among theurgent issues addressed at today's RICS Hong Kong Annual Conference.

Around 400 professionals assembled at the GrandHyatt Hong Kong on May 24 for the region's leading built environment summit,which was organised around the theme "Resilient and sustainable: Putting thegreen revolution at the forefront of our future".

Kickingoff the day-long programme was Guest of Honour The Honourable Matthew Cheung Kin-chung,GBM, GBS, JP, the Government of Hong Kong SAR's Chief Secretary forAdministration.

Theconference featured a packed programme of more than 20 keynote speakers and panellistsdrawn from the worlds of academic, property, government and finance. Structuredaround four key themed sections, the day began by considering the globalpicture, before outlining the role the built environment sector has to play in "future-proofing"cities.

Inrecognition of Hong Kong's role as a global financial hub, the afternoonsessions explored the part green finance can play in driving sustainability andinnovation, as well as examining ESG reporting and considering the progressmade by regional neighbours Singapore.

MrCheung said Climate change is a globalchallenge which demands immediate, decisive and robust action that requirescross-sector and cross-domain collaborations, the HKSAR government accords toppriority to formulating comprehensive and coordinated climate actions to meetthe commitments formalized under the Paris Agreement. Initiatives includesdevelopment of renewable energy by introducing Feed in Tariff (FiT) to provideincentives for the community to invest in RE, promoting energy saving andBuilding Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry. Hong Kong can also ride onits strength as an international financial centre and the global business hubto develop the city into a leading regional hub for green finance.   

MsClare Chiu, RICS Chief Operating Officer for Greater China, said: "Hong Konghas historically enjoyed a unique geographic position, but in the face of moresevere and frequent extreme weather conditions, this prized coastal vantage nowputs the city at the frontline of the struggles ahead. Professionals in thebuilt environment sector have an integral role to play in ensuring Hong Kong isbest prepared for whatever the future may hold.

"Atthe same time, the strategic advantages Hong Kong has developed over the precedingdecades now means the city has both the ability, and the responsibility, toserve as a regional leader in the emerging green finance market -- pointing theway forward in sustainable practice for others to follow."

To download high resolution photos of the RICSAnnual Conference 2019 Hong Kong, please click HERE.

About RICS

RICS promotes and enforces the highestprofessional qualifications and standards in the development and management ofland, real estate, construction andinfrastructure. Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards --bringing confidence to the markets we serve.

We accredit 125,000 professionals and any individualor firm registered with RICS is subject to our quality assurance. Theirexpertise covers property, asset valuation, real estate management; thedevelopment of infrastructure; and the management of natural resources, such asmining, farms and woodland. From environmental assessments and buildingcontrols to negotiating land rights in an emerging economy; if our members areinvolved the same professional standards and ethics apply.

We believe that standards underpin effective markets.With up to seventy per cent of the world's wealth bound up in land and realestate, our sector is vital to economic development, helping to support stable,sustainable investment and growth around the globe.

With offices covering the major political andfinancial centres of the world, our market presence means we are ideally placedto influence policy and embed professional standards. We work at across-governmental level, delivering international standards that will supporta safe and vibrant marketplace in land, real estate, construction andinfrastructure, for the benefit of all.

We are proud of our reputation and work hard toprotect it, so clients who work with an RICS professional can have confidencein the quality and ethics of the services they receive.