Kayley Leung has had a deep passion for marine life since childhood, propelling her to the path of environmental conservation. With outstanding academic achievements, she gained admission into university but chose to study environmental protection program at IVE to build a strong foundation. Through internships, she further applied knowledge in practical settings. With her outgoing personality and love for environmental education, Kayley built extensive professional network and developed her career blueprint.
After graduating from IVE, she pursued a bachelor's and master's degree, dedicating herself to the realm of environmental preservation. Joining a food recycling organisation, she engaged in public education and collaborated with the business sector on environmental initiatives. Upon gaining an understanding of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concept, Kayley pursued further studies and acquired qualifications as an ESG analyst and planner.
Last year, she founded an environmental consulting company, providing customised ESG solutions while actively participating in green education activities. Kayley firmly believes that cultivating sustainable habits is the key to achieving sustainable development. She encourages everyone to constantly improve themselves, actively pursue their dreams, and contribute to the advancement of sustainable development.
Guided by interests, setting sail with dreams
When Kayley was young, she was introduced to the ecology of lanternfish through television documentaries, igniting her strong interest in marine life. This sparked her deep interest in environmental conservation, and she aspired to pursue a career in this field during her secondary school years. Due to circumstances, she was unable to enroll in the science stream as she had hoped. It seemed her dream had slipped away. To her surprise, she excelled in the HKDSE and received an offer from a local university for a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. However, she noticed that graduates of the Higher Diploma in Environmental Protection and Management at IVE could develop careers in fields such as environmental monitoring, analysis, assessment, and pollution control. Believing that interest is the driving force of learning, she resolutely decided to pursue the IVE program to advance towards her dream.
The admission poiicy of IVE programmes follows a relaxed entry but strict graduation approach. After IVE teachers understood the students' learning backgrounds prior to enrollment, they employed a top-tier teaching strategies to help students like Kayley, who lacked knowledge in science subjects, establish a solid foundation. Additionally, the outgoing Kayley was assigned to intern in an environmental testing laboratory and a local environmental protection organisation. Captivated by frontline recycling activities and educational work, Kayley reconsidered her personal interests and career direction. With a strong inclination towards community-oriented environmental education work, she could unleash her potential, apply her professional skills, and actively build a network of contacts and outlined a clear blueprint for her career development.
Green education shaping the future
Turning dreams into reality relies on unwavering beliefs. Kayley believes that the long-term goal of green education goes beyond conveying existing knowledge or solving current problems, it is about preparing for the future needs. When education raises the public’s awareness of environmental pollution and resource consumption, their behaviour also changes accordingly, making them more adaptable to the future needs of society.
After graduating from IVE, Kayley successfully completed her bachelor's and master's degree at local universities, solidifying professional knowledge and academic theory before embarking on a career in the field of environment and sustainable development. Upon entering the workforce, Kayley joined a food recycling organisation, where she was responsible for public education and assisting in promoting environmental practices in the business sector. Throughout this experience, she repeatedly contemplated whether there was a potential contradiction between environmental protection and economic interests. In a profit-driven business society, would they support advocating for waste reduction at the source? Would enterprises embrace environmental measures despite potential economic pressures they might bring? It was when senior colleagues in the industry shared the concept of ESG with her that she had a sudden realisation.
ESG, a concept rapidly advancing in economic and social development, has emerged as a pivotal criterion and investment philosophy for evaluating the sustainability of corporate development. Understanding the significance of ESG for corporates, including strengthened public recognition, increased competitiveness, provision of sustainable business model, and reduced risks of regulatory violations, Kayley pursued further studies in environmental, social, and governance-related disciplines to strengthen her expertise. She successfully obtained certifications as a Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) and a Certified ESG Planner (CEP), becoming a professional capable of providing ESG advisory service to businesses. She aspires to assist companies in effectively utilising their resources while considering the delicate balance between environmental ideals and pragmatic realities, ensuring sustainable environmental practices that benefit the wider community.
Green entrepreneurship, achieving an environmental mission
Last year, Kayley established a startup company, Sustainable Lab HK, which provides customised ESG consultancy services to businesses. Their clientele includes food waste machine manufacturers and shopping mall operators. Earlier this year, she was invited to attend an international forum in Shanghai to speak for the importance of investing in ESG and promoting the benefits of ESG implementation.
Kayley mentioned that her company has conducted various activities for several organisations in the past to promote and educate the public about the importance of green living. These activities include oyster reef restoration, wood upcycling workshops and delivering environmental lectures in primary and secondary schools. Additionally, Kayley indulges in attending exhibitions and artistic performances. She believes that a successful exhibition or performance has the power to engage spectators, provoke introspection on critical issues, and convey important values. Thus, she has collaborated with environmental organisations to hold immersive art exhibitions and eco-fashion shows, aiming to deliver messages of sustainable development. Through these innovative ventures, Kayley aspires to evoke long-term effects by inspiring "small changes, big improvements." These initiatives have successfully increased public engagement, raised awareness about environmental conservation and waste reduction, and allowed her to fulfill her green mission continuously.
Navigating towards a green future, striving for sustainability
Kayley believes that the key to practising sustainable development lies not in rigid targets but in cultivating environmentally friendly habits. She emphasises the importance of focusing on small daily changes, as these accumulate and bring positive outcomes to society in the long run. To her, "as long as there is progress compared to yesterday, it is also a form of success." She encourages everyone to continuously improve themselves and foster a positive mindset, firmly believing that success will naturally follow. Kayley's unwavering dedication to pursuit her dreams and her embodiment of the spirit of sustainable development serves as an inspiration for future generations to learn from and emulate.
