Based in Hong Kong, John Haffner is Deputy Director of Sustainability at Hang Lung Properties, where he is responsible for formulating the Group-wide sustainability strategy and driving its execution.
John has more than two decades of experience in cleantech, infrastructure and sustainability, including past work experience in mainland China, Southeast Asia and Japan. Prior to joining Hang Lung, he led his own sustainability and infrastructure consultancy, was a registered foreign lawyer in Hong Kong, led business development in Asia for a renewable energy company, and worked in strategic planning at one of the largest power generators in North America.
A 2008 World Fellow at Yale University, John’s education includes two law degrees from McGill University, where he has also co-taught a seminar on Climate Change and Energy Law. He has more than 20 publications on the environment, energy and international affairs, and is proficient in Mandarin.
Speaking at
Tue 28 May
9:00 AM — 12:30 PM (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Tokyo Midtown Conference, Midtown Tower 4F, Room 9
Private: Decarbonisation and Resilience Forum
As the landscape of global ESG frameworks continues to expand, it's crucial for real estate stakeholders to discern which elements truly advance environmental and social outcomes, alongside business performance. ESG reporting should be viewed as a tool, not the end goal.
- How are ESG frameworks evolving to provide more relevant clarity and consistency for investors, amidst the noise of countless indicators?
- What key ESG factors should real estate companies prioritise to genuinely drive industry practices forward while delivering sustainable financial returns?
8.30am Registration and networking
9.00am Welcome and introductions
Mavis Ma, Sustainability Manager, GLP Capital Partners Japan
9.05am Mapping ESG: Clarity from Complexity
With the proliferation of global ESG frameworks, real estate stakeholders must stay informed about the latest developments and understand how to navigate this alphabet soup effectively.
- How are the various frameworks evolving to provide greater clarity and consistency for investors?
- What are the critical ESG factors that investors should prioritise to maximise both sustainability impact and financial returns?
Moderator
Lisette van Doorn, CEO, ULI Europe
Panelists
Ray Lawler, CEO APAC, Hines
9.25am Panel Discussion
Value-At-Risk - Future-Proof Today
Investors face growing pressure to account for climate risk in real estate valuation and decision-making.
- How are investors, insurers, and asset managers navigating the challenges presented by physical and transition risks?
- What best practices have they developed for assessing and mitigating climate-related impacts on real estate portfolios?
Moderator
Yvonne Huang, Lead Representative Asia, GRESB
Panelists
Mark Cameron, Head of Sustainability, Asia Pacific, Nuveen Real Estate
Calvin Kwan, Managing Director, Sustainability and Risk Governance, Link Asset Management
Mamoru Shimomichi, Executive Officer, General Manager of Investment Management Planning, Nomura Real Estate Asset Management
Cecilia Tse, Climate and Sustainability Lead, Aon
10.15am Lightning Round #1:
Carbon Pricing Shifts Cost Curve For All
Understand how carbon pricing mechanisms fundamentally alter the cost-benefit analysis of decarbonisation efforts, which propel the development and deployment of innovative, low-carbon solutions.
Mack Ramachandran, Co-founder & Director, Futures Inc.
10.30am Networking refreshments
10.50am Panel Discussion
Smart Retrofits to Unlock New Values
Retrofitting existing buildings is crucial for the world to achieve its net-zero goals, as 80% of the buildings that will stand in 2050 are already built.
- What are the main barriers preventing widespread acceleration of retrofits?
- How can owners plan effective retrofits that enhance building performance, reduce emissions, and improve tenant well-being while enhancing long-term asset value?
Moderator
Bradford Dockser, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Green Generation
Panelists
Helen Amos, Head of Sustainability, Hong Kong, JLL
Albert Chan, Director of Planning and Development, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Shui On Land
Vram Malek, Principal, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
11.30am Lightning Round #2:
Refrigerant Emission: The Hidden Elephant
Shed light on refrigerant emissions in real estate, as these sneaky greenhouse gas contributors have a disproportionately large (and often underestimated) impact on global warming.
John Haffner, Deputy Director - Sustainability, Hang Lung Properties Limited
11.45am Panel Discussion
Plan for Whole-life Carbon Today
The real estate industry must shift toward a whole-life carbon perspective in order to drive long-term business success in an increasingly sustainability-focused market.
- How can the real estate industry effectively measure and reduce projects' whole-life carbon impact to meet regulatory requirements, investor expectations, and tenant preferences?
- What are the best practices for integrating whole-life carbon considerations into real estate projects to drive cost savings, mitigate climate-related risks, and optimise resource efficiency?
Moderator
Rosie Leake, Senior ESG Manager, Asia Pacific, Hines
Panelists
Giovanni Cossu, Head of Sustainability, CapitaLand Development
Eddie Tse, Group Sustainability Manager, Gammon Construction
Pritya Pravina Widiarta, Director, Climate Change, Asia Pacific, HSBC
12.25pm Closing remarks
Mavis Ma, Sustainability Manager, GLP Capital Partners Japan
Programme is correct at time of publication and subject to change without prior notice.