Fireside chat with Al Gore and Christine Loh

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STOIC Foundation Hosts Al Gore on Climate and Capital

On Friday 4th September 2026, STOIC Foundation co-hosted a fireside chat with former US Vice President Al Gore on “Global Climate Dynamics: A HK‑US Dialogue on Climate, Capital, and What Comes Next.”

The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, academics, and young professionals to explore how to accelerate climate action through finance, policy, and innovation.

Science, urgency, and the role of global cities

Opening with the latest findings from the IPCC, Mr Gore outlined rapid global warming, intensifying extreme weather, and rising sea levels that pose acute risks to coastal cities like Hong Kong. He stressed that major economic hubs are both significant emitters and critical solution centres, with a responsibility to lead in sustainable urban planning, transport, and finance.

Bridging geopolitics for climate progress

Mr Gore highlighted the strategic roles of Hong Kong as Asia’s gateway and the US as a technology and policy innovator. Climate change transcends borders and requires pragmatic cooperation on renewable energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure transitions.

Capital as a catalyst: green finance and carbon markets

A core theme was mobilising capital toward climate solutions, including divesting from fossil fuels and the potential of carbon pricing and emissions trading. Hong Kong has huge capacity to faciliate green investments across Asia and scale nature‑based and technological solutions.

Call to action: policy, technology, and hope

Bolder climate regulations, net‑zero incentives, and transparent climate‑risk disclosures are required. Urgency is paired with optimism. Falling solar costs and public–private partnerships prove that progress is possible. This event underscored a shared roadmap: to strengthen HK–US financial and policy innovation and collaboration to deliver an equitable, decarbonised future.