Following the successful launch of the Academy on 31 July 2024, we invite you to participate in our Q&A series. Our Advisory Board will answer selected questions from ESG Certification Holders, sharing their expertise and insights on sustainability governance and ESG.
Submit your questions and learn from leading voices in the field.
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 | Ms Gill Meller FCG HKFCG(PE)International Vice President, The Chartered Governance Institute; Past President, HKCGI; and Legal and Governance Director, MTR Corporation Limited |
Integration is key to effective sustainability risk management, explains Gill Meller FCG HKFCG(PE). In this video, she advocates for close collaboration between enterprise risk management and sustainability teams, treating ESG risks with the same rigour as traditional business risks. This approach enables organisations to address both immediate and long-term sustainability changes, ensuring comprehensive risk management.
 | Presented by Mr David Simmonds FCG HKFCGPresident, HKCGI; and Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Governance Officer, CLP Holdings Limited |
In this video, David Simmonds FCG HKFCG argues that while AI won’t replace human judgement in sustainability governance, it will significantly transform the landscape. He outlines how AI enhances efficiency in data analysis and reporting while maintaining human primacy in ethical decision-making and stakeholder management. He concludes that the future demands Sustainability Professionals who can balance technological advancement with ethical governance, particularly in developing AI systems that maintain human oversight and responsible implementation.
| Ms Gill Meller FCG HKFCG(PE)International Vice President, The Chartered Governance Institute; Past President, HKCGI; and Legal and Governance Director, MTR Corporation Limited |
In this video, Gill Meller FCG HKFCG(PE) explains the distinct concepts of materiality in ESG reporting. She details how single materiality focuses on the impact of environmental and social issues on an organisation’s financial performance, while double materiality extends to assess the organisation’s impact on environment and society. Though more complex, double materiality provides a more comprehensive view of ESG risks and opportunities, making it increasingly relevant in sustainability reporting.
 | Presented by Ms Pru BennettPartner, Brunswick Group |
No, ESG isn’t coming to an end, asserts Pru Bennett. While addressing recent ESG backlash and high-profile DEI rollbacks at companies like Harley Davidson and John Deere, she explains that ESG’s longevity depends on its implementation. When driven by solid business strategy rather than PR initiatives, ESG delivers tangible value, improving staff retention, productivity, and talent acquisition while directly enhancing a company’s bottom line.
| Presented by Ms Pru BennettPartner, Brunswick Group |
In this video, she debunks the notion that ESG is merely a corporate luxury. Drawing from market research spanning 45 years, she reveals how intangible assets—including human, environmental, social, and intellectual capital—now represent a staggering 90% of S&P 500 companies’ market value. Watch as Bennett explains why understanding and managing ESG factors isn’t just good practice—it’s fundamental to creating and preserving company value in today’s business landscape.
