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Chan Gyu CHOI

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6560b59d257d38e6532889be

Joint Discovery participated

CEOs & Social Leaders interacted

My Story

I confess. I was a privileged kid. Brought up in 4 different countries, I was exposed to numerous opportunities not common to my peers. While this privilege was a source of personal pride, it was also a spring of abyss, pulling me down towards constant self-doubt. I ask myself. Was I 'worthy' of my life? Were all my life's opportunities & experiences a mere result of my privileges and luck, not my hard work? These questions still grapple me to this day. Still, I try to live by this quote: "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded". I know the only way to combat my self-doubt is to leverage my life towards a positive impact, one step at a time. I am still trying.

Volunteering Experience

"Green Jobs Fair" by "NESS"
Our 'Green Jobs Fair' was designed as part of an effort to bridge students with green ambition with sustainability practitioners in the field. In collaboration with the Business Environmental Council (BEC), our first Green Jobs Fair was successfully held with over 150 face-to-face attendees, with an inaugural speech from the environmental secretary. Through the fair, we were able to attract 8 job booths from top environmental corporations, along with 6 sustainability mentors who gave personal advice to the students on the day.
"Wild Rhino Ambassador" by "Wilderness Foundation Africa"
My passion towards sustainability stems from my high school years in Vietnam, which is home to the largest global demand for rhino horns. To combat the illegal trafficking of rhino horns, wrongfully believed to ‘cure cancer’, I participated in an anti-poaching campaign. During the campaign, I explored a national park in South Africa without phones, running water or electricity for 14 days, where I saw rhinos, free and relaxed, each enjoying their time roaming within the wilderness. On the flip side, I also witnessed dehorned rhino carcasses, orphaned rhino calves, and park rangers, who were encountering poachers every week. Returning from our trip from South Africa, we hosted various awareness campaigns targeted at international schools in Vietnam. We knew that these schools hosted the children of the 'elites' of Vietnamese society, who were the biggest target group of rhino horn demand. From the experience, I was able to witness the complexity of environmental problems. I realized that the freedom of wild rhinos was being protected through the sustained efforts of individuals, ranging from government officials and locals to NGOs. I was also able to reconnect myself with nature again in the 2-week trail in the wilderness, which became the foundation of my passion towards sustainability that shaped my life onwards.

Job experience

"Intern" at "EY HK"
In EY Hong Kong's Climate Change and Sustainability Services team (CCaSS), I worked as an intern supporting Sustainability Strategies, Sustainability Disclosures and Consulting. Work areas include: • Aided various sustainability consulting projects for clients from Hong Kong and Mainland China • Conducted Scope 3 analysis for a Hong Kong Real Estate developer, for GHG categories 1,2,3,4,8,13 • Aided climate risk assessments for a restaurant franchise in Hong Kong • Supported the drafting of engagement proposals for clients, in the areas of: Peer benchmarking of ESG targets, market research, sustainability regulation updates, and other ad hoc tasks
"Intern" at "PWC HK"
In PWC Hong Kong's ESG Disclosures and Consulting Team, I worked as an intern supporting Sustainability Strategies, Sustainability Disclosures and Consulting. Work areas include: • Aided the ESG Disclosures and Consulting team with various sustainability consulting projects for clients from Hong Kong and Mainland China • Conducted numerous GRI Gap analysis, and sector-specific sustainability strategy research for clients in various sectors: Real Estate, Construction, Hospitality, Telecommunications, Cement, and Acoustics manufacturing • Assisted in establishing both quantitative and qualitative sustainability targets through peer benchmarking analysis for clients • Engaged in supporting the drafting of sustainability reports of clients, in the areas of: Drafting reporting content, Aligning GRI indexes, Conducting double materiality assessments and stakeholder engagements, Conducting ESG performance data assurance, and other ad hoc tasks • Engaged in the drafting of ESG strategy guidelines for A4CR, The Asian Corporate Coalition for Climate Change Disclosures and Consulting, which PwC HK is participating in as a technical advisor
"Capstone Student Consultant" at "Deloitte HK"
In partnership with Deloitte Hong Kong's Sustainability Risk Advisory team, I worked as a student consultant as part of the final year capstone project in HKUST. As part of a 4-man group with fellow students, we aimed to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of Internal Carbon Pricing (ICP) in the Hong Kong context. As part of the consulting project, we aimed to: • Leverage personal networks from Mentorships/Internships/Alumni to assess the status quo of ICP implementation in Hong Kong • Conduct numerous desktop research and academic literature review on the theoretical/financial feasibility of ICP • Interview the in-house sustainability specialists from 5+ Hong Kong firms/NGOs/Consultancies to understand the practical drawbacks and challenges towards implementing ICP • Engaged in supporting the drafting of pitch decks and reports for Deloitte, to help Deloitte engage with their clients on implementing ICP

Scholarships & Awards

Summit Video

Melo Experience

Back in November 2022, I asked the 4 founders this question in my application essay for the 2023 fellowship program: How do we create impact? In the essay, I wrote about my ambition to combine my green ambition with the CEO's frontline expertise and wisdom towards a common cause: where we join together to ‘co-create’ a sustainable future. Throughout my university years, relationships have been key to my learning experience. I wished to throw myself into the sustainability industry, to absorb the dilemmas and thought processes of sustainability practitioners. I aimed to equip myself with the required skillsets to create impact, to align myself with the mindets of great thinkers and leaders in sustainability. I aimed to provide a sustainable alternative, not to blindly accuse and denounce. Through Project Melo, I was able to meet and talked with numerous sustainability stakeholders, leading CEOs, and like-minded ambitious Melo fellows to turn my dreams into a reality. Looking ahead, my vision is to drive sustainable practices in Asia, particularly in the realm of renewable energy and corporate sustainability. I am particularly enthusiastic about diving deeper into decarbonization strategies for corporates, aiming to make a significant and lasting impact in the region. With a deep passion for sustainability and a strong drive to deliver tangible results, I am eager to contribute to Hong Kong's sustainability scene. I am excited to explore further how my dedication to sustainability, social engagement skills, and on-the-field expertise can be aligned with the various privileges and opportunities given to us through Project Melo. Thank you.