2024 Sustainable Business Awards Conference & Ceremony: Harnessing Technology for Biodiversity and Sustainable Business Growth Go back »
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Time2024-09-04 | 14:30 - 19:00
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Venue:The Langham Xintiandi, 2nd Floor 上海新天地朗廷酒店二楼
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Address:99 Madang Road, Shanghai
上海市黄浦区马当路99号 -
Fee:Members: 400 RMB |
Non Members: 800 RMB
Sponsors and partners



Launched on 14th May, the 2024 Sustainable Business Awards (SBA) Series included 2023 SBA winners-cases sharing, and introductory exchanges on the 2024 categories, featuring 2023 winners and judges as speakers. A significant number of applications were submitted between 14th May and 30th June 2024 for this year’s application.
The evaluation of these submissions took place in summer, with an independent judging panel that plays a crucial role in identifying exemplary projects and practices in sustainable business development. Members of the judging panel include external and independent third-party reviewers from the academic and business communities, representatives from EU Member States Embassies and Consulates, Chinese government affiliates and international organisations. The judging criteria are designed to be systematic and objective, ensuring an open and transparent evaluation process. The methodology employed for evaluation is based on the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework. This approach systematically measures the social, environmental, and economic outcomes of projects, assigning monetary values to these benefits to provide a comprehensive assessment of their impact.
In today's world, technology is not only the source of many environmental and social problems but also the key to addressing them. Rising global ecological challenges, such as habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, and resource overexploitation, have intensified the international focus on biodiversity and nature protection. As technology rapidly advances, it offers transformative opportunities to address some of the world’s most pressing ecological and environmental challenges. This includes but is not limited to, resource-efficient manufacturing processes, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital solutions that enhance environmental protection and social welfare.
Technological and digital solutions can provide all-round intelligent management system, scientifically identify environmental and climate risks and challenges and provide reliable and precise technical support. The discussions during the conference will delve into how technology can drive sustainable business growth and innovative approaches to biodiversity conservation, resource management and social good.
It is important to recognise the organisations playing a vital role in advancing environmental and social goals and fostering a future where technological innovation and ecological preservation go hand in hand. To celebrate these achievements, the European Chamber will announce the Sustainable Business Development Awards 2024 winners.
Agenda:
PART I: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AWARDS CONFERENCE: Harnessing Technology for Biodiversity and Sustainable Business Growth |
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Master of Ceremony: Ms Cindy Zhang, Chair of CSR Forum, European Chamber Shanghai Chapter |
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14:00-14:30 |
Registration |
14:30-14:35 |
Opening Remarks, by Mr Felix Hess, Board Member, European Chamber Shanghai Chapter |
14:35-14:55 |
Keynote Speech One, From Biodiversity to a Nature Positive Economy, by Dr Robin Kennish, Managing Partner for ERM's Greater China and South Korea |
14:55-15:45 |
Panel Discussion One and Q&A: From Biodiversity to a Nature Positive Economy Moderator: Ms Haiyan Sun, Founder & Chief Editor of Business Ecology Studio Panellists:
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15:45-16:35 |
Panel Discussion Two and Q&A: Responsible A.I. and Technology for Sustainable Business Growth Moderator: Mr Jilai Peng, General Manager and Partner, SynTao Consulting Beijing Office Panellists:
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16:35-17:10 |
Coffee Break with Gallery Display |
PART II: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AWARDS COCKTAIL CEREMONY |
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Master of Ceremony: Ms Tiantian Qi, Senior Business Manager, Government Affairs Department, European Chamber |
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17:10-17:20 |
SBA Programme Overview, by Mr Steven Basart, General Manager, European Chamber Shanghai Chapter |
17:20-17:35 |
The Judges’ Voice |
17:35-18:10 |
SBA 2024 Winners Announcement |
18:10-18:25 |
Group Photo and Sponsor Certificates |
18:25-19:00 |
Cocktail Reception and Celebration |
Registration deadline: Sunday 1st September
How to pay:
Pay while registering online or on-site
Invoice: digital 普票 will be issued to registrants who applied when doing registration, in 10 workdays from 4th September.
Terms & Conditions
Events have limited seating so to ensure your attendance we encourage advance online registration and payment. We cannot guarantee entry to anyone not registered in advance.
Events are held in English and follow the Chatham House rule unless otherwise stated.
Advisory Council Policy
Members of the Advisory Council may receive complimentary admission to Chamber seminars, conferences and factory visits up to two attendees per event. Additional participants will be charged at the member rate.
Advisory Council members will still be charged the standard member rate for participation in training courses and special events, such as gala balls, government appreciation dinners, or admission to corporate social events/tournaments.
For further information contact Maureen Dai mtdai@europeanchamber.com.cn
Cancellation Policy
If you cannot attend the event for which you have registered, please cancel your registration no later than one business day prior to the event. If you fail to notify us of your cancellation in a timely fashion, you will be charged for event costs.
To cancel you can: 1) email sh.marketing@europeanchamber.com.cn, or 2) cancel online if you registered for the event through the website.
Disclaimer 免责声明:
Please note that the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (as the host of the event) might take photographs from the event and post these on its public webpage (or social media platforms) in order to create awareness of these events. By attending this event you consent to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China taking and using such photographs as described above.
Speakers
Ms. Cindy Zhang

Ms. Cindy Zhang
Cindy is the Chair of CSR Forum from 2020 at European Chamber Shanghai where she has served as Vice Chair and Chairwoman since 2014. Currently, she is the Marketing and Communication Director of Mestä APAC, responsible for marketing and communication strategy and planning, including sustainability communications for Mestä Group in APAC region. Cindy acted as Vice Chair of Finnish Chamber of Shanghai during 2019-2022,
Mr. Felix Hess

Mr. Felix Hess
Felix, a German lawyer by training, studied in Berlin, Sydney and Beijing. He started his career in China where he worked in private practice for 8 years. In 2011 he relocated to Germany and joined the Legal and Compliance Department of Siemens. After several years in Siemens Headquarter Felix took over the role as General Counsel and Compliance Officer for Siemens in Qatar and Kuwait. He is now based in Shanghai leading Siemens Compliance team in China.
Siemens is a technology company focused on industry and infrastructure. From more resource-efficient factories and resilient supply chains to smarter buildings and grids, Siemens creates technology with purpose for its customers by combining the real and the digital worlds.
Dr. Robin Kennish
Dr. Robin Kennish
Dr Robin Kennish is the Managing Partner for ERM's Greater China and South Korea business. He has over 20 years of experience in managing and directing environment and sustainability studies. These studies have ranged from securing permits through to strategic advice on climate change, biodiversity and health and safety. He is working with power companies, conglomerates and asset management firms on aligning their climate change disclosure with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure requirements. Robin has recently worked with HKEX listed companies on their Nature strategy which has included looking as risks and opportunities, value chain impacts as well as preparation of TNFD aligned disclosure for ESG reports. Robin has a PhD in Marine Sciences and has conducted numerous Aquatic and Terrestrial Biodiversity assessments while at ERM throughout the Asia Pacific region. His Biodiversity and Nature experience has ranged from developing corporate level policies through to site level assessments and habitat creation plans.
Ms. Haiyan Sun

Ms. Haiyan Sun
In 2011, Sun Haiyan founded the Business Ecology Studio, focusing on content production and public communication, public education and consulting on sustainable innovation. The main approaches include magazine and book creation, public exhibitions an short films, sustainable innovation workshops, strategic consulting services and research reports.
She has more than 20 years of experiences in the Chinese business media. She has worked as a senior editor of “Asian Business Leader” and a senior reporter of "21st Century Business Review". Her reports mainly focus on sustainable development, innovation and regional economy. In 2010, the book "The Age of Green Gold" co-authored by her and Sun Yang won the "Wenjin Award" recommendation award from the National Library of China.
As a facilitator of sustainable business workshops, she has led workshops for many well-known multinational organizations and initiated sustainable leadership workshops. At the same time, she has long initiated the "Women and Freedom" workshops. She led the team to create a series of sustainable impact short films. She also curated more than 50 public exhibitions on multiple topics of sustainable development and the "Care Umbrella" series of cultural and creative products focusing on circular innovation issues.
She graduated from the Baltic Business School of Kalmar University in Sweden with a Master of Business Administration degree and graduated from Fudan University with a Bachelor of Economics degree. In 2017, she received a degree certificate in the "Sustainable Leadership" management program from the Swedish Academy.
Ms. Xuan Liu

Ms. Xuan Liu
Liu Xuan has established the Jiajin Ecological Learning Base in the Giant Panda National Park and the first forest school in Tibetan areas in China. Additionally, she is the community ecological development trainer in the Three-River-Source National Park and the Qilian Mountain National Park in China. Her aim is to promote ecological economy and sustainable community development through the establishment of ecological education centres.
Ms. Sybrich Zwiers

Ms. Sybrich Zwiers
Ms Sybrich Zwiers is the Deputy Head of the Economic Department at the mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Shanghai since August 2023. Prior to that, she worked at the Europe Department at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, she also worked at the Netherlands Ministry of Security and Justice and she was the personal assistant for the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende. Ms Zwiers earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology from the University of Amsterdam, and a Master’s Degree in Victimology and Criminal Justice from Tilburg University.
Dr. Nannan Dong

Dr. Nannan Dong
Deputy Director and Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University. Expert member of the Three-Dimensional Greening Group of the Green Building Committee of the China Urban Science Research Association, expert member of the Shanghai Three-Dimensional Greening Professional Committee, expert member of the Shenzhen Three-Dimensional Greening Industry Association, community planner of Wujiaochang Town, Yangpu District, Shanghai, rural planner of Caojing Town, Jinshan District, rural architect of Shanghai, consultant of the Industrial Planning Consulting and Design Institute of the Yangtze River Delta Urban and Rural Community Development Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, expert of the Working Group of the Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Restoration Engineering of Metropolitan Areas of the Ministry of Natural Resources, and core member of the Digital Landscape Laboratory Team of the Key Laboratory of High-Density Human Settlement Environment Ecology and Energy Conservation of the Ministry of Education.
In recent years, he has participated in the compilation of 3 monographs such as green roof technology, and published more than 20 papers on urban three-dimensional greening restoration technology and suburban environment planning and design research.
Mr. Jilai Peng

Mr. Jilai Peng
Mr Peng Jilai is the General Manager and Partner of SynTao Consulting Beijing Office, Director of China CSR Map (CCM), a certified trainer for Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and lecturer of SynTao Academy.
Mr Peng has over 15 years of CSR/ESG consultancy experience and has served many clients in the automobile, FMCG, healthcare, financing, ICT and IDC industries. He is professional in developing sustainability strategy and ESG management systems, CSR internal & external communication, CSR training, CSR/ESG reporting, CSR program planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Besides business consultancy, Mr Peng is heavily involved with corporate-NGO cooperation and has successfully developed a dozen of cross-sector partnership. He is also proficient with charity project implementation and evaluation and he particularly focus on child development, gender, rural revitalization, environment & climate change, health & nutrition issue. Mr Peng provides advisory service for a dozen of large foundations and NGOs.
Before joining SynTao, Mr Peng worked for four years as Project Coordinator with GIZ on Sino-German CSR Project. Mr Peng earned his bachelor degree in English Language and Literature from Capital Normal University.
Mr. Francis Liekens

Mr. Francis Liekens
Francis was appointed Vice President, Atlas Copco (China) Investment Co., Ltd. in August 2016. Based in Shanghai, he oversees Atlas Copco Group’s operations in Greater China, with more than 45 legal entities, and reports as the Corporate Group’s representative to the CEO and CFO of the Atlas Copco Group.
Over the past 30 years, he has held various managerial positions with increased responsibility within the Atlas Copco Group and has been working most of his time in different countries in Europe and Asia. Prior to his current position, he was the General Manager of Atlas Copco Singapore & Malaysia.
Francis is a Belgian citizen and holds a master’s degree in business administration. He has the Permanent Resident id in China.
Mr. Wayne Li
Mr. Wayne Li
Joined Merck since 2017.
At Merck China Innovation Hub since 2020.
Now on Group Smart Manufacturing under Science and Technology Office.
Working on new tech scouting, pilot digital project management and work force upgrade.
20 experience in pharma industry, serving GSK, Eli Lilly and Bayer China before.
Dr. Ing. Weihua Qian

Dr. Ing. Weihua Qian
Dr. Ing. Weihua Qian, VP & Chief Technology Officer, SKF China, holding doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University, Germany, has been in bearing industry for more than 15 years. He focuses on advanced engineering design, verification and validation, innovative bearing product and technology development in various industrial applications, e.g., in automotive, wind turbine, rail-transportation, metals, aerospace, etc.
Built a strong engineering team to balance cost competitiveness and technology leadership(also differentiator) among different business areas, through resilient ways of working within the Full-value-chain, VAVE capabilities, and deep insights about Chinese market’s needs and challenges.
Ms. Tiantian Qi

Ms. Tiantian Qi
Tiantian is a Senior Business Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Sino-EU government relations industry. Skilled in Corporate Social Responsibility, International Relations, Programme Design and Policy Analysis across the food and beverage sector, auto sector as well as the satellite industry.
During her role leading the CSR Forum of the European Chamber, she organised European Chamber 10th Anniversary Conference in 2015 and coordinated with more than 30 member companies’ speakers, led (edited, designed, coordinated) and managed the CSR White Paper project which includes the liaison and coordination of more than 10 Member States Consulate Generals in Shanghai and 20 sponsor companies in 2016; Organised the European Chamber Shanghai Chapter first Sustainable Business Awards and designed seven series of CEO Talks; Organised the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation CSR Dialogue at the European Chamber in April 2018 and the 2018 SBA in September; Established Shanghai Local Media (Shine: Shanghai Daily App) cooperation with European Chamber and launched European Chamber Sustainable Column at Shanghai Daily in 2017; Led the European Chamber CSR Team teach at Shanghai University for its MBA students on CSR together with the Swedish CSR Ambassador in summer 2017, 2018 and 2019; Led the CSR delegation join the European Commission Multi-Stakeholder Meeting in Brussels and coordinate the member speech delivered on CSR in China on February 2015 (First time in the history of the Multi-Stakeholder meeting to host delegates from China and hear China CSR practice).
Mr. Steven Basart

Mr. Steven Basart
Steven has lived and worked in China for over 15 years in the non-profit management industry leading and representing global trade associations, professional societies and business interest groups in the region.
Steven is a Dutch national and a Permanent Resident of China. He is a lawyer and sinologist by training. He has a native level language proficiency in Mandarin, English, and Dutch.
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