HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
World-Class Hub for Sustainability
Press Release
World-renowned Ethologist Dr. Jane Goodall Urges Hong Kong Corporates to Take Lead in Promoting Biodiversity
26 Nov 2024
HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute and Zurich Hong Kong collaborate with Dr. Goodall to introduce world-class insights for a sustainable future
- During Dr. Jane Goodall’s return to Hong Kong after six years, she met over 200 Hong Kong business leaders, emphasizing the cultivation of hope and immediate actions needed for the environment and biodiversity. She also advocated for collaboration among commercial sector, academia, NGO and government bodies to drive conservation and sustainability efforts.
- The event was an excellent showcase of such collaboration, organized by the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, and co-organized by the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute and Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong)
- A thought-provoking panel discussion delved into the criticality of biodiversity, examining it from conservation, business and academic perspectives. Real-life examples and innovative ideas were shared to integrate biodiversity into business decisions and ESG strategies, emphasizing our interconnectedness for coexistence.
From left to right: Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer of Zurich Insurance Group and Chairman of the Board of the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong; Eric Hui, CEO of Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong), and Board member of the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong; Tony Tse, Chief Executive Office of Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong; Dr. Jane Goodall; Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Dean (External Relations) of HKU Business School; Prof. Guojun He, Director, HKU JCESGRI
An exclusive event tailored for the Hong Kong business community, “Dialogue with Dr. Jane Goodall: Integrating biodiversity into corporate responsibility”, took place in Loke Yew Hall of the University of Hong Kong today, attracting over 200 enthusiastic attendees. The event was organized by the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong (“JGIHK”), and co-organized by the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute (“HKU JCESGRI”) and Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) (“Zurich Hong Kong”), marking a phenomenal cross-sector collaboration for bringing world-class insights on biodiversity integration into business practices.
This collaboration featured world-renowned ethologist and primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and United Nations Messenger of Peace, to share valuable insights on the interconnected relationship between ecosystems, urbanization and business continuity. This event marked Dr. Goodall’s first appearance in Hong Kong in six years and emphasized the essential collaboration between corporate, academic, and NGO sectors for biodiversity conservation in an urban jungle like Hong Kong.
During her speech, Dr. Goodall emphasized that biodiversity conservation is not an isolated issue; it is deeply interconnected with other challenges, including climate change. To effectively address and reverse these issues, stakeholders must adopt a holistic approach. Individuals from different regions and backgrounds face unique problems, and simply resolving one environmental issue—such as closing a coal mine—does not mean the overall situation is resolved. Therefore, collaboration across various sectors is more crucial than ever; through collective efforts, the world can gradually reverse extreme conditions and mitigate climate change. Moreover, Dr. Goodall highlighted reasons for hope and stressed the importance of placing our trust in the younger generation. While there is a trend of young people increasingly engaging with the virtual world, providing them with diverse resources will empower them to drive meaningful change.
Dr. Goodall also recalled the founding mission of JGI to plant seeds of hope and cultivate a sense of responsibility toward the environment and biodiversity. Dr. Goodall underscored the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, along with global corporate support. Over the years, JGI has benefitted from widespread backing from corporations, which serves as a cornerstone for its community initiatives in Hong Kong. These partnerships not only advance JGI’s community-focused efforts but also drive positive societal change by working hand in hand with corporations to implement sustainable practices. Over the past four years, with the support of corporations, foundations, and government entities, JGIHK has successfully launched 21 projects under the Roots & Shoots program. These initiatives have engaged over 290,000 individuals, raising awareness about environmental protection through 375 educational activities. JGIHK collaborates annually with corporate partners to organize impactful shoreline cleanup events, leading to the removal of over 55 tons of waste from our oceans since 2020. These efforts underscore our commitment to fostering a sustainable future and inspiring collective action for the environment.
Dr. Goodall further highlighted the importance of united different stakeholders to work on conservation collaborative in order to build a sustainable future, in a panel discussion moderated by Kannes Wong, Head of Strategy and Sustainability of Zurich Hong Kong. She was joined by Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer of Zurich Insurance Group and Chairman of the Board of the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, and Prof. Guojun He, Director, HKU JCESGRI. Hong Kong boasts a unique environment and is home to a diverse array of species. Dr. Goodall emphasized that Hong Kong corporations can leverage their extensive connections to the global community to drive meaningful change. They have a responsibility to address deeper and more complex issues, particularly those affecting children.
Dr. Jane Goodall said, “Corporate support is crucial in driving positive changes to our planet, and our long-lasting partnership with Zurich Hong Kong is a great example of it. Looking forward, we will continue to work with different stakeholders and collaborate closely with the local community, aiming to drive collective actions among society.” She then added, “We cannot do things alone; we need to collaborate and work together with the corporate world, governments, and civil societies. We need to regain wisdom by developing a different mindset that works not just for profit or loss but that joins the head and heart, thinking about the future and not just the present. I have hope in young people because when they understand the problem and if we empower them to take action, they will change the world. I’m also hopeful about the resilience of nature. I urge you to give nature a chance, for it will bring back the beautiful greenery of the world.”
Ericson Chan, Group Chief Information and Digital Officer of Zurich Insurance Group, and Chairman of the Board of the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, added, “We are honored to welcome Dr. Jane Goodall back to Hong Kong and stress the importance of habitat protection and cross-sector collaboration for climate resilience. We are dedicated to supporting the move to net-zero, cutting down carbon in our own operations and using technology to boost these efforts,” Chan said. “Our global climate transition plan lays out clear actions, and projects like the Zurich Forest show our commitment to reforestation and protecting biodiversity.”
Prof. Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics, HKU Business School said, “Dr. Jane Goodall’s relentless advocacy for global conservation echoes our Institute’s commitment to promoting best practices for sustainability through academic and research initiatives. Our scholars at the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute continue to pioneer innovative strategies to tackle pressing sustainability challenges. As we come together today, we strive to forge creative solutions for a sustainable and equitable future.”
Prof. Guojun He, Director of HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, added, “Incorporating the economic value of biodiversity into ESG frameworks is essential yet complex. Biodiversity subtly and significantly benefits human well-being, and disruptions can have profound, lasting impacts through interconnected ecosystems. By merging academic insights with corporate strategies, we can better understand these effects and quantify the benefits of biodiversity. It is inspiring to join forces with Dr. Goodall and like-minded leaders to explore this subject together and contribute our respective efforts towards sustainable growth.”
Eric Hui, CEO of Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong), and Board member of the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, supplemented, “We are profoundly priviledged to co-organize this event, and have our esteemed business partners and clients to meet Dr. Goodall in person. Our heartfelt gratitude to JGIHK and HKU JCESGRI for their invaluable collaboration in making this event a success, and for all like-minded corporates joining this meaningful discussion. Zurich is indeed proud to claim ourselves as the leading insurer in sustainability in Hong Kong, as we have championed the “Excellence in ESG and Sustainability Award” from the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers for three years in a row.”
Looking ahead, Zurich Hong Kong is strategically positioned to advance ambitious transformative initiatives aligned with its sustainability goals for the planet, customers, and people. Central to this strategic approach is the implementation of the recently published Climate Transition Plan, which includes a strong emphasis on enabling an economy-wide transition to net-zero and making society more resilient. Efforts will be directed towards advocating for supportive policies and evolving how the company operates. The collective aim of constructing a brighter future for generations to come underscores Zurich Hong Kong’s commitment to ESG stewardship.
Moving forward, HKU JCESGRI will focus on enhancing the synergy between biodiversity and ESG strategies through targeted research, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. The goal is to enable world-class sustainability research that demonstrate the economic and ecological benefits of biodiversity integration. HKU JCESGRI will work closely with industry leaders, academic institutions, and governmental bodies to promote practices that ensure long-term environmental health and corporate sustainability. Furthermore, HKU JCESGRI aims to expand their educational outreach to cultivate a deeper understanding of the importance of biodiversity in achieving global sustainability goals.
About the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong
At the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, our mission is to empower youth to drive positive change through community engagement, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
Our Core Initiatives
- Community Engagement: We collaborate with local communities to foster a sense of ownership in conservation efforts. We support youth-led initiatives and outreach programs to create a strong network of advocates for environmental change.
- Environmental Stewardship: Our science-based initiatives focus on wildlife conservation and habitat protection. By promoting ESG principles, we advocate for a sustainable future for all living beings.
- Social Responsibility: We inspire individuals to make conscious choices that balance environmental and human well-being. Through education and awareness, we encourage responsible actions that positively impact the planet.
Since 2018, JGIHK has established a Roots & Shoots School Network comprising over 130 primary and secondary schools, offering three educational programs:
- Little Jane SDGs Academy
- Green Parenting Support Scheme
- Green Collar Training Program
About HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, established by HKU Business School (HKUBS) and The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), aspires to establish as a world-class hub for Environmental, Social, and Governance best practices for Hong Kong, Asia and beyond. Bringing together distinguished global scholars from diverse fields, our mission is to foster a multidisciplinary approach to ESG research and training, as well as to forge partnerships with private and public sectors for sustainability initiatives and responsible leadership advocacy.
As a leading institute in ESG research, we are dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting impact through pioneering studies, actionable insights, ESG index development, start-up incubation and transformative projects. Our objective is to equip the next generation of ESG professionals and leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote responsible and sustainable growth.
In our pursuit of excellence, we recognise the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange. We are committed to facilitating dialogues and cooperation among regulators, corporates, NGOs, and academics, to ensure the development and dissemination of best practices in ESG. Together, we aim to shape a more sustainable, equitable, and responsible future for all stakeholders.
About Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong)
Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, with its presence in Hong Kong dating back to 1961. Since then, Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) has been dedicated to serving the Hong Kong community with a full range of flexible investment, life insurance and general insurance solutions for individuals, as well as commercial and corporate customers — attending to their insurance, protection and investment needs. Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) currently ranks third in the general insurance market1 and ranks fifth in the ILAS market2 in Hong Kong. Visit www.zurich.com.hk for more information.
1 Annual statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong General Business from January to December 2023, based on gross premium.
2 Annual statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long term insurance business from January to December 2023, based on the number of policies and premiums of in-force business of investment-linked life insurance.
About Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich)
Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience.
Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together’, Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero operational emissions by 2030 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil.
The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.
Media Relations
RICE Communications
Alex Leung
Phone +852 9087 7081
alex.leung@ricecomms.com
Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong)
Peonie Wong / Karen Lau
Phone +852 2977 0181 / +852 2977 0378
peonie.wong1@hk.zurich.com / karen.lau@hk.zurich.com