THINK TANK | Progress in Energy Efficiency and Renewables in the Hospitality Industry

On Friday 22 August, we convened industry leaders, sustainability experts, and engineering professionals for our ‘Progress in the Energy Efficiency of the Hospitality Industry’ roundtable, hosted in partnership with The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Centre for Hospitality and Real Estate Research. The valuable discussions, centred on enhancing energy efficiency infrastructure initiatives and building awareness of green financing mechanisms within Hong Kong and Macau’s hospitality sector, were both enriching and dynamic. 

Highlights from the session included:

• Harry Lai, Executive Director of Hong Kong Green Building Council, shared insights into the existing green building frameworks and guidelines in Hong Kong.

• Priscilla Lin, Strategy and Sustainability Manager of Schneider Electric, spotlighted a case study in which the company leveraged a global management solution to significantly reduce a hotel group’s energy use. She also presented key areas to prioritise for net-zero buildings and essential areas for effective retrofit strategies, advocating for a technology-first approach. 

• Carmen Chan, Director of Sustainable Finance at OCBC Hong Kong, shared how OCBC is supporting ESG goals in the hospitality industry through sustainable financing. 

• Discussion of the priorities and best practices for green financing, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. 

• Collaborative exploration of effective strategies to overcome the hospitality industry’s challenges in developing energy-efficient infrastructures, and pathways to enhance green financing and renewable energy access in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

The insights gathered will directly inform our Sustainable Hospitality Roadmap, ensuring practical strategies for the industry.