Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1337944833
Applicant Information
Name Ting Fung So
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
3 Years
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
Yes
When was the last time you
voted? Month/Year
11/2024
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
No
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Sustainability Commission
Applicant Qualifications
Ting Fung So
Office Use Only
Date Received:
__________
Voter registration
verified:
Office Use Only
Date Received: __________
Voter registration verified:
On: ___________________
By: ___________________
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By: ___________________
4/24/25
N/A
MH
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
I've spent much of my career working at the intersection of finance and climate, and I'm looking to contribute that expertise locally. My background spans emerging markets and commodities investing at firms like BlackRock for the past 20 years, with a later focus on advising climate tech startups and advising for organizations such as Climate TRACE, co-founded by Al Gore, and WattTime on decarbonization strategies in the past few years. I've seen how policy, data, and innovation can drive real change-and I want to help bring that kind of momentum to our community.
Through my role on the board of a local nonprofit focused on plastic education, I've come to value local engagement and would welcome the opportunity to contribute more directly to
Sunnyvale's sustainability efforts.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
I bring a strong background in global finance, risk management, and climate strategy, shaped by two decades of experience in emerging markets and commodities. My transition into climate work was driven by firsthand exposure to climate-related financial risks, and I now advise climate tech startups and consult for initiatives like Climate TRACE and WattTime. This includes collaboration with international organizations such as the World Bank IFC, UNEP, PCAF, and C40 on emissions policy, public health, and sustainable supply chains. I'm analytical, solution-oriented, and strategic-skilled at translating big-picture climate and policy goals into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. I look forward to applying my expertise in finance, environmental policy, and operational strategy to support the board's goals and impact.
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
To effectively advise the City Council, I would begin by understanding Sunnyvale's current climate goals, baseline data, and ongoing efforts. I would draw on my experience in finance, climate strategy, and policy to help identify high-impact opportunities for emissions reduction. Just as important, I would actively engage with fellow board members, leveraging their professional expertise and perspectives to develop well-rounded, practical recommendations. By combining data-driven analysis with collaborative input, we can craft policy solutions that are both impactful and tailored to the community's needs and long-term sustainability goals.
Ting Fung So
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
• Harvard Kennedy School - Executive Education in Climate Policy • Carnegie Mellon University - Master of Science in Computational Finance
• University of Waterloo - Bachelor's degree, double major in Actuarial Science and Statistics
• Climatebase Fellowship (Cohort 4) - Specialized training in climate solutions and policy
In addition to formal education, I bring practical experience advising WattTime and Climate TRACE on impact strategy, turning emissions data into actionable solutions in collaboration with multinational organizations and national and sub-regional governments. I also advise climate tech startups on business models and project financing. My professional background includes 20 years as an investment manager in emerging markets and commodities, with expertise in macroeconomic policy, natural disaster risk, and multi-sector project financing. I currently serve on the board of Inventurous, a local nonprofit focused on plastic repurposing and climate education.
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I serve on the board of Inventurous, a local nonprofit focused on educating communities about the climate impact of plastics and promoting creative plastic repurposing. This role has deepened my engagement with local sustainability efforts and community education. Beyond this, I regularly volunteer my time advising early-stage climate startups and nonprofits, helping them shape strategies that align with environmental goals and community impact. These experiences have helped me stay connected to both local and broader climate efforts in a practical,
community-focused way.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Ting Fung So
Sustainability Commission
Category One: I’m a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
Sustainability is a new and
emerging concern in many
communities. What do you think
are the primary sustainability
policy issues this commission will
be addressing over the next few
years?
In the next few years, the commission should focus on helping residents and businesses switch from gas to electric appliances, since natural gas remains a major source of emissions in Sunnyvale. This includes advancing policies and ordinances that speed up electrification while ensuring upgrades are affordable and accessible. In transportation, it's important to expand EV adoption and ensure public charging stations are available across all neighborhoods. Waste reduction also deserves
attention-particularly through programs that redirect surplus food to local centers and underserved communities. Finally, we need to prepare for climate impacts like extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding by updating emergency plans and ensuring residents are informed and supported.
Description Area View the Climate Action Playbook
Have you read the above version
of the Climate Action Playbook?
Yes
What are your thoughts on the
Playbook? How might the actions
("Plays") be improved?
While Sunnyvale has made progress, implementation timelines can be slow. Electrification policies need stronger enforcement and clearer support for renters and small businesses. Public charging infrastructure, though expanding, still lags behind rising EV demand, especially in multi-family areas. Waste diversion efforts would benefit from more visible public outreach and easier participation. Emergency preparedness programs could do more to engage residents, such as by offering sustainability-focused emergency kits with solar lamps and reusable masks-simple tools that also raise awareness and build community resilience.
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Ting Fung So
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Ting Fung So
Date Apr 24, 2025
Ting Fung So