Chartered Environmentalist finalist aims to inspire others to follow CABE’s sustainability pathway

Charles (Tsz Kai) Lam, a Chartered Environmentalist and CABE member, has been named one of five finalists for the Society for the Environment’s Rising Star Award 2025 – a prestigious recognition that celebrates early-career professionals making exceptional contributions to environmental sustainability.

Currently a Senior Sustainable Development Officer at Swire Properties in Hong Kong, Charles sees this milestone not only as personal recognition, but as a career-defining opportunity – and a call for other CABE members to pursue the Chartered Environmentalist pathway.

From nomination to recognition 

Charles’s nomination came from fellow members of CABE’s Hong Kong branch, Fannucci Hui and Eunice Lee. The Rising Star Award honours professionals with under 10 years of experience who have demonstrated outstanding work to protect, preserve, or enhance the environment. Candidates must hold an environmental registration such as CEnv, Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP), or Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech).

Track record of environmental leadership

Since joining Swire Properties in mid-2024, Charles has played a pivotal role in managing sustainability data – from carbon and water to waste and energy – and aligning operations with ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems. He has supported supply chain transparency and compliance via the company’s Business Partners Sustainability Programme and Supplier Code of Conduct.

Before joining Swire, Charles served as the only Chartered Environmentalist at Shun Tak Holdings Ltd, where he led the company’s sustainability reporting and climate-related disclosures. As Deputy Lead for the 2022–23 Group Sustainability Report, he championed ESG data assurance, embedded decarbonisation strategies, and integrated the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into corporate practice – contributing to a 10% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

A CABE journey inspired by family

Charles’s connection to CABE runs deep. His father, a Chartered Building Engineer with over 30 years of industry experience, inspired him to engage with CABE during his studies at Leeds Beckett University, where he earned a BSc (Hons) in Building Services Engineering. It was during this time that Charles was introduced to BREEAM and the wider UK sustainability framework – knowledge he has since adapted to Hong Kong and Chinese projects.

In 2019, he joined Brilliant (Man Sau) Engineering Ltd, working on mega projects and gradually taking on senior roles. As project team leader, his work contributed to a Gold Award win at the 2021 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence. He also supported green building submissions using BEAM Plus, Hong Kong’s version of international green building certifications. 

A message to CABE members

Charles encourages other CABE members to consider the Chartered Environmentalist pathway as a meaningful step in their careers.

“Becoming a CEnv doesn’t just validate your expertise – it empowers you to make an even greater impact,” he says. “I want to continue driving sustainability, not just in my organisation, but across the built environment and wider society.”

Interested in becoming a Chartered Environmentalist through CABE?

Learn more about the pathway here.

This article was originally published on buildingengineer.org.uk. Read the full interview here.