Navigating Unpredictable Rains and Floods: Useful Stress Tests for Hong Kong

21 November 2023

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

HKUST Business School Central

The recent spate of weather events served as useful stress tests and dress rehearsals for Hong Kong, including the postponement of this event originally scheduled for 9 October. They may be used to prepare us for more frequent and intense extreme events that lie ahead. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology will lead a discussion to review these recent events from the perspective of Hong Kong’s preparedness.

During the event, our experts will explain the challenges associated with predicting heavy rain, address the issues relating to soil movement and landslides, and identify bottlenecks to improve the city's capacity to respond to extreme weather events related to too much water, keeping in mind that the goal is to strengthen resilience.

Programme

Time	Session
2:30 pm	Welcome Remarks by Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, HKUST
2:35 pm	Scientific Presentations: Reviewing the Recent Extreme Weather Events in Hong Kong: Key Takeaways by Mr. SHUN Chi Ming, Former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory Tropical Precipitation Extremes Under Global Warming by Prof. Xiaoming SHI, Assistant Professor, Division of Environment and Sustainability, HKUST Landslide and Slope Safety: Latest Update by Prof. Charles NG, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, and CLP Holdings Professor of Sustainability, HKUST Navigating the Changing Climate: From Assessing Risk to Improving Preparedness by Prof. Alexis LAU, Head and Chair Professor, Division of Environment and Sustainability, HKUST
3:20 pm	Break
3:30 pm	Panel Discussion moderated by Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, HKUST Panelists: (in alphabetical order by last name) Ms. Jessica CHAN, Head of Sustainability, MTR Corporation Limited Mr. John HAFFNER, Deputy Director - Sustainability, Hang Lung Properties Ms. Chelsea JIANG, Chief Technical and Innovation Officer, General Insurance, AXA Greater China Dr. Calvin KWAN, Director of Sustainability and Risk Governance, Link Asset Management Limited Mr. MM LEE, Head of General Business (Acting), Insurance Authority Ms. Vivian WONG, Director, Real Estate Finance, HSBC Global Banking
4:20 pm	Closing Remarks