Mr. Anthony Cheung, Vice-chairperson & Green Finance Convenor of Friends of the Earth (HK)
In recent years, more and more institutions and corporates organised forums and seminars with topics related to sustainable development. It obviously shows that different sectors are paying more attention to the vision to build a sustainable future. These events gather and enable us to exchange our ESG knowledge and experience, connecting each party, and creating opportunities for cooperation and collaboration across sectors.
On the 12th of December 2022, Friends of the Earth (HK) partnered with the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS) and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to host the Carbon Neutrality Forum 2022 and Inaugural CESGA Award Ceremony. Participants across industries attended physically or virtually. It sparked intense thought exchanges both on stage and off the stage. We also had the Inaugural CESGA Award Ceremony as one of the featured sessions of this Forum.
CESGA is an internationally accredited certification established by the EFFAS. The CESGA programme is a comprehensive tool made by professional practitioners and scholars which covers all relevant topics that an ESG expert needs. Acquiring CESGA certification is a milestone for candidates who are equipping with ESG knowledge. To encourage the youth’s contribution to sustainable finance and ESG development, Friends of the Earth (HK) established the “Friends of the Earth ESG Scholarship” and has also invited other sponsors to get involved. The scholarships subsidise the awardees’ CESGA study fees. In the CESGA Award Ceremony, three CESGA Scholarships were awarded to three outstanding students and young professionals in the CESGA Scholarship Programme 2021/22. I am delighted that many CESGA alumni attend this Forum to witness the event and celebrate their achievements together.
Friends of the Earth (HK) is honoured to learn both the Friends of the Earth (HK) actively promoting EFFAS CESGA programme and our Executive Certificate Course in ESG Analysis & Green Finance Valuation have been approved as one of the Eligible Programmes under the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme, (https://www.greentalent.org.hk/) after the Forum.
The scheme is open for application by Hong Kong residents who are market practitioners and prospective practitioners of green and sustainable finance. This is certainly forward-looking. It will help Hong Kong cultivate top-notch green finance talents. After completing eligible programmes, applicants can apply for a subsidy of up to 80 per cent of the relevant fees (up to 100 per cent for full-time student applicants), subject to a ceiling of $10,000. It certainly will encourage the youth to engage in learning, improving their professional green finance knowledge.
Friends of the Earth (HK) will continue to actively promote ESG and green finance courses to industry practitioners and the general public, in order to accelerate the cultivation of local green finance talents, and to promote the transformation of a low-carbon and sustainable economy. We met many energetic and passionate CESGA Alumni in the Forum, which reaffirmed our passion and efforts. I look forward to more aspirants joining the zero-carbon future journey.
