As the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited is tightening up its requirements on environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting for listed companies, Asian companies are seeking new talents to adjust their business models in line with community expectations on emerging sustainability values. Moreover, the growing climate change crisis has meant that all companies face an uphill battle to adapt to a low-carbon future.

Carbon Care Asia (CCA) and HKU SPACE joined hands in August 2019 to launch a new executive certificate programme to nurture sustainability professionals. Recognised as the first of its kind in Hong Kong, this programme lays the foundation for a new breed of professionals who will help the business sector to enhance its ESG performance in an uncertain era.

Commencing in 2020, two modules -- "Sustainability Professionals" and "Climate Competence" -- are open simultaneously. Both of them aptly target in-house capability building for companies and organisations from all sectors and industries.

This module is designed for those working on all aspects of ESG planning in business and finance. The course provides an understanding of the global ambition of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement, shows the links to international and local sustainability standards and metrics, and follows this through to the practical challenges of materiality assessment and stakeholder consultation necessary for a company’s ESG report. From high-level policy to practical detail, this course exposes participants to the full range of issues related to sustainability stewardship and illustrates the practical risks and opportunities facing companies in cities like Hong Kong.

Climate emergency signifies economic and social challenges which emerge from scientific evidence. Hence, climate competence is essential for anyone looking to the future. This module familiarizes participants with physical implications of climate change and links them to the policy and technical debates on climate action. Sessions will examine top-level climate action related to the Paris Climate Agreement, and explore the resulting responsibilities that climate action brings for governments, companies and individuals. The course sets out options related to energy generation, more efficient use of energy, along with the ways in which adaptation measures can create a safe, healthy and resilient city. Participants in this course are expected to emerge with the tools to engage at policy level and in practical terms with the challenges and opportunities that stem from climate change.

These two modules are suitable for:

• All those who are practising in sustainability-related fields as well as those who wish to embark on a new career in sustainability.
• All those who anticipate a growing climate challenge in their current positions, as well as those who are passionate about finding solutions to the climate crisis.

For further course details, please visit:

Certificate for Module (Sustainability Professionals)

Certificate for Module (Climate Competence)