School News

The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute (the Institute), established by HKU Business School and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (the Trust), hosted the 2025 Sustainability Forum at the University of Hong Kong on 14 November 2025. Focusing on sustainability challenges and opportunities around the globe, given new developments in artificial intelligence (AI), ESG frameworks, and global climate strategies, the event brought together over 380 academics, industry leaders, and policymakers from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and overseas, along with nearly 40,000 online participants.

Officiating guests at the Forum included Ms. Irene LEUNG, Head of Charities (Strategy, Planning, Operation & Reporting) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mrs. Pui Fun MA CHOW , Acting Commissioner for Climate Change, Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; and Professor Yang WANG, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement), Chair Professor in Mathematics, Computing and Data Science of The University of Hong Kong.

Professor Yang WANG, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement), Chair Professor in Mathematics, Computing and Data Science of The University of Hong Kong, addressed the audience in his welcome speech, stating, “Sustainability is one of the most critical challenges of our time, and universities have a vital role to play in spearheading the solutions. We are grateful for the visionary partnership with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, which has been instrumental in establishing HKU as a hub for sustainability innovation. This collaboration exemplifies how philanthropy can accelerate meaningful progress, enabling our researchers to develop impactful solutions that address real-world environmental challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.”

Mrs. MA CHOW Pui Fun, Acting Commissioner for Climate Change of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, confirmed in her welcome speech the government’s dedication to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050, and to reducing 2035’s carbon emissions in half from the levels recorded in 2005. She also highlighted that Hong Kong is becoming Asia’s premier hub for green and sustainable finance, ranking first in Asia for the seventh consecutive year on the green and sustainable bond markets. Hong Kong is proactively embracing AI for ESG purposes, such as applying innovative AI agents in the building electrical and mechanical industry and using advanced AI models at the Hong Kong Observatory for weather forecasts and potential thunderstorm development.

Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, said, “We are committed to turning sustainability research into tangible impact. The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, has rapidly emerged as a leading hub in Asia—publishing over 50 papers in top-tier publications, building a global network of 200+ scholars that includes two Nobel Laureates, and engaging 100,000+ participants through our events. Notably, seven Institute members or affiliates rank among the top 1% worldwide in Economics and Business citations according to Clarivate Analytics. This momentum is further amplified by the Trust’s funding of four endowed professorships within the institute held by distinguished scholars—Professor Guojun HE, Professor Roni MICHAELY, Professor Jeffrey NG, and Professor Uta SCHÖNBERG—enabling us to translate world-class research into real-world solutions for a sustainable future.”

Professor Solomon HSIANG, Professor of Stanford University and former Chief Environmental Economist at The White House, United States Government, was invited to give a keynote speech titled “Valuing Climate,” in which he raised two critical questions: What is the climate worth? Which of the different approaches to climate change adopted by the world’s two largest economies makes more economic sense? He explored what we gain economically from investing in climate-smart technologies and whether these investments are likely to pay off for our global society.

Mr. James GEORGE, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in China, emphasised that, “The world must deliver on the SDGs amid accelerating climate crises, rising inequalities, and growing geopolitical complexities. AI can help us make the leap, but only if guided by strong principles and inclusive governance. The coming decade will define not only how we use technology, but the kind of future we build with it.”

The event also showcased pioneering work by four distinguished Endowed Professors, wherein the work of these emerging scholars was highlighted via an ‘Academic Open Mic’ session. Bridging research with practice,  industry leaders Dr. Zhengrong SHI, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Suntech Power, questioned the ESG consensus, while Ms. Rong SHANG from Zhongguancun Academy X Zhongguancun Institute of Artificial Intelligence (ZGCAI) shared cutting-edge applications of AI in sustainable development.

In his closing remarks, Professor Guojun HE, Director of the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, highlighted the resounding success of the Forum, which brought together leading international academics and industry pioneers. “We are thrilled to see the vibrant fusion of cutting-edge research and real-world practice here today,” he said. “With topics ranging from AI applications to critical debates around ESG, our Sustainability Forum has established itself as an annual flagship series dedicated to the most pressing issues of our time. Moving forward, we are committed to further bridging the academic and the industry world, including cooperates, governments, and NGOs, transforming pioneering research into tangible impact for a sustainable future.”

Photos:

Professor Yang WANG, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement), Chair Professor in Mathematics, Computing and Data Science, greeting Ms. Irene LEUNG, Head of Charities (Strategy, Planning, Operations & Reporting) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics, HKU Business School, greeting Mrs. Pui Fun Dorothy MA CHOW, Acting Commissioner for Climate Change, Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Government of HKSAR, China.

From right: Professor Guojun HE, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics, Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute; Professor Solomon HSIANG, Director, Global Policy Laboratory, Stanford University; Co-Director, Climate Impact Lab; Former Chief Environmental Economist, Executive Office of the President, The White House; Mrs Pui Fun Dorothy MA CHOW, Acting Commissioner for Climate Change, Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Government of HKSAR, China; Ms. Irene LEUNG, Head of Charities (Strategy, Planning, Operations & Reporting) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics, HKU Business School; Professor Jeffrey NG, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Accounting; Associate Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute.

Welcoming Remarks by Professor Yang WANG, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement), Chair Professor in Mathematics, Computing and Data Science.

Opening remarks by Mrs. Pui Fun Dorothy MA CHOW, Acting Commissioner for Climate Change, Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Government of HKSAR, China.

Speech by Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics, HKU Business School.

Keynote speech by Professor Solomon HSIANG, Director, Global Policy Laboratory, Stanford University; Co-Director, Climate Impact Lab; Former Chief Environmental Economist, Executive Office of the President, The White House.

Research presentation by Professor Guojun HE, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics; Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute; Associate Director, Institute of China Economy.

Research Presentation by Professor Jeffrey NG, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Accounting; Associate Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute.

Research Presentation by Professor Uta SCHӦNBERG, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics; Chair of Economics, HKU Business School.

Keynote speech by Mr. James GEORGE, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in China.

From right: Bernice YU, Head of Operations of HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute; Dr. Ivan POON, core member at Climate Change AI (CCAI); Ms. Rong SHANG, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Zhongguancun Academy X Zhongguancun Institute of Artificial Intelligence (ZGCAI); Prof. Dawei WANG, Assistant Professor, HKU Business School; and Ms. Jingwen HE, Project Manager, Tencent Research Institute, joined the Roundtable Dialogue on AI for Sustainability.

From right: Hang YU, Chief Reporter of Yicai (第一財經) in Hong Kong; Dr. Zhengrong SHI, the former founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Suntech Power; Dr. Allinnettes ADIGUE, Director, GRI ASEAN Network Global Reporting Initiative, joined the Roundtable Dialogue on ESG: Consensus, Critique, and Course-Correction.

Academic Open Mic by Prof. Maxime COUVERT, Assistant Professor, HKU Business School.

The event brought together over 380 academics, industry leaders, and policymakers from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and overseas.