Hong Kong institute to launch sustainability governance academy

The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI) is launching an academy to elevate the standards of sustainability and corporate governance in the city through education, professional certification and events.

HKCGI’s sustainability governance academy, launching on July 31, aims to promote sustainability-related advocacy, education and research, according to a pamphlet obtained by the Post.

The academy will be open only to those who have passed the institute’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting certification course, which was launched early last year. Around 1,400 accredited certificate holders have completed the course, and they can join the academy free of charge.

“The academy is a first in Hong Kong, giving a home to sustainability governance professionals,” Ellie Pang, CEO of the HKCGI, said in an interview. The certification course helps bridge the gap between the insufficient talent in this area and the needs of both listed and unlisted companies for ESG reporters, she said.

The course is intended for members of ESG committees or working groups, executives and governance professionals, as well as related parties who seek knowledge on ESG reporting and performance assessment, according to the pamphlet.

“As a professional working in this area, there is a need to be continually updated and increase your skills as these requirements change and evolve and expand,” David Simmonds, president of the HKCGI, said in an interview. “All companies who do financial reporting will have to do some sort of sustainability reporting as the years go by.”

Therefore Hong Kong needs to develop capability to support that requirement, added Simmonds, who is also the chief strategy, sustainability and governance officer at CLP Holdings. “The ESG certification course is a really timely part of the Hong Kong landscape to help build that capacity,” he said.