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CHALLENGES

Challenge
Difficult to access ESG Data

  • The Capital Group ESG study 2022 captured views from over 1,100 professional investors from 19 markets around the globe on ESG issues.

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  • The study shows that one of the biggest challenges when implementing ESG is accessing ESG Data (24 % of the respondents).

Data

IST Solution
Evidence-based Data Hub

  • Enhancing data collection and mining processes to improve the quality of ESG strategies.

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  • Providing accurate and comprehensive ESG data and reports.

Data

Challenge
Data Inconsistency

  • Existing frameworks and standards are inconsistent

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  • EU oriented, not always highly applicable for Hong Kong & China

Environmental, social and governance

IST Solution
Research & ESG Benchmarking

  • Offering independent research provided by leading universities and industrial leaders

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  • Establishing ESG “rule setters” in Asia

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  • ESG benchmarking: real estate and hospitality 

ESG Benchmarking: Real Estate

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  • Sharing our best practices in harnessing technology with other real estate developers

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  • “Digital twins” that utilize IoT and sensors to help build, visualize, measure, optimize and report key sustainability indicators such as energy efficiency, carbon emissions, water consumption, and etc.

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  • Establishing ESG standards for the real estate industry

Research

ESG Benchmarking: Hospitality 

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  • The hotel sector accounts for around 1% of global carbon emissions

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  • Hotels need to reduce their absolute carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 and by 90% by 2050*

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Example: 

  • iclub Wan Chai Hotel became Hong Kong’s 1st ever carbon neutral hotel in 2010

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  • Establishing ESG standards for hospitality 

Challenge
High Carbon Consumption in China

  • Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities have been the primary driver of climate change

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  • China has had the world’s largest carbon footprint since 2004 and is responsible for 27% of global greenhouse gas emission

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  • In 2020, CO2 emissions per capita for China was 8.2 tons of CO2 per capita. CO2 emissions per capita of China increased from 1.08 tons of CO2 per capita in 1971 to 8.2 tons of CO2 per capita in 2020 growing at an average annual rate of 4.32%

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  • As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has faced widespread criticism from the international community. Beijing also faces domestic pressure to address environmental concerns while maintaining economic growth

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

IST Solution
Facilitate China & HK Carbon Trading

  • Compile carbon trading data 

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  • Conduct empirical ESG research supported by data and evidence 

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  • Establish carbon credit measurement and ESG rating benchmark for GBA/Asia

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  • Deliver ESG/carbon market workshops on carbon assets/credits/regulations etc.

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  • Support carbon trading with Blockchain and Smart Contract Technology 

CO2

Challenge
The Accelerated Demand for ESG Professionals

  • Given the indisputable business benefits of ESG, organizations across every industry are ramping up their hiring efforts in this area. However, the sector has grown faster than the market can keep up with, creating a widespread race for talent

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  • The demand for ESG professionals has never been higher – yet talent in the field are scarce. The dearth of ESG talent can be demonstrated with a LinkedIn job search in 2022, which shows more than 20,000 jobs in sustainability and ESG are waiting to be filled across APAC

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  • PwC had announced a $12 billion plan to develop 100,000 new jobs in ESG by 2026. This figure, if achieved, would represent a third of the total workforce at PwC
     

  • Businesses are eager to connect the areas of risks and opportunities in sustainability and think holistically about integrating ESG into a company. As the demand for talent increases, there will be a need to create and expand a diverse talent pool with appropriate training and experience

Over 80% of S&P 500 companies release ESG reports

Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. 2202Research

IST Solution
Provide Globally Recognized ESG Training

Professional Workshops

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  • To define ESG strategies and share insights on current practices and challenges of integrating ESG 

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  • Modules such as Principles of Sustainability, Sustainable Finance and Technology, Global Business Practices in Sustainability, and others 

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  • Experiential learning and networking opportunities 

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  • Pre-recorded lectures /in-person/Zoom 

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  • Speakers: Professors and Adjunct Professors from HKUST 

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Who Can Join Us? 

  • Wide range of professionals, from middle-level management to C-suite executives 

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ESG Training
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