HONG KONG (TVBS News) — The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s sustainability hub recently hosted a pivotal workshop, bringing together over 120 professionals to discuss the global commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices. The "Shaping Sustainable Tomorrow" workshop on Nov. 29 highlighted the importance of innovation, authenticity, and transparency within the expanding field of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Wu Shih-chia, deputy director of CSRCom, emphasized the need for research that benefits both academia and society. Wu noted the diverse backgrounds of the panelists, including those from sustainability standards, reporting, communication strategy, and industry practice, underscoring this necessity. In her opening speech, the hub’s director, Sora Kim, stated that as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) becomes a focal point for businesses worldwide, companies should emphasize authenticity, transparency, and listening.
Kim called on businesses to adhere to their corporate values and avoid the “silent approach,” warning of the risk of losing control over the narrative. She also stressed the importance of listening to diverse perspectives. Among the panelists, Brian Ho from Deloitte’s Sustainability Service underscored the crucial role of top management in setting the tone for sustainability efforts.
Ho, the Deloitte Sustainability Assurance Leader for the Asia-Pacific, advocated for leveraging technologies like blockchain and AI, predicting a multidisciplinary approach to future sustainability trends. The event featured scholarly presentations by Terri Chan and Yingru Ji from CUHK and Zhejiang University, showcasing their research into using self-involving gamification, empathy, AI, and immersive tech to promote sustainability initiatives within businesses and consumers.
Genevieve Hilton, a Sustainability Advisor, urged integrating various fields into sustainability efforts. She emphasized the need to bring in all aspects of business and society, including scientific, professional, business, and even creative and literary fields. Clara Shek, President of Ogilvy PR in Hong Kong, discussed the importance of rewiring decision-making processes to enhance recycling efforts.
Shek highlighted the need for a trusted system to ensure sustainable and recycling efforts do not end up in landfills. She emphasized making sustainable efforts rewarding, whether through a sense of belonging to a trendy movement or contributing to future generations. With the younger generation prioritizing sustainability, experts emphasize ESG as a strategic differentiator, urging media and industries to collaborate in promoting ESG practices.