The "Earth Day Forum 2026" was recently organized in Hong Kong by Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council, and the China Sustainable Investment Forum (China SIF). The event aims to align with the nation’s future development direction and leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in connecting Mainland China with global markets to further solidify its leadership as Asia’s hub for green and sustainable financial services.
The forum featured two thematic panel discussions. The first session explored how Hong Kong’s professional services can build a transparent and accountable ecosystem for ESG metrics and climate data, effectively linking global investors with green projects to fully unlock the potential of sustainable capital and drive the real economy toward low-carbon transformation. The second discussion focused on establishing a sustainable certification ecosystem in Hong Kong.
In recent years, Hong Kong has achieved significant progress in promoting green finance and green technology. This year’s Budget also highlighted that Hong Kong will actively support the national "dual carbon" goals and green development strategy, vigorously promoting green industry growth and corporate green transformation. These efforts reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a regional green finance hub and reinforcing its leadership in green and sustainable bonds.
With growing demand for capital, technology, and talent, the green transition is expected to bring substantial opportunities to Hong Kong. Mr. Ye Guangtao, Chairman of Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), emphasized that sustainable development is no longer a peripheral issue but a core element of economic and financial decision-making. He stated, “As an international financial center, Hong Kong possesses a robust legal tradition and a regulatory framework aligned with international standards, including the International Sustainability Standards Board’s disclosure requirements. Additionally, Hong Kong’s extensive professional community—spanning banking, insurance, accounting, and legal sectors—serves as a pillar of financial integrity and resilience, integrating global standards into capital allocation to create long-term value.”
Mr. Feng Huajian, Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council, noted that scaling up climate finance is no longer just a vision but an urgent priority. Hong Kong’s opportunity lies in leveraging its market depth and international connectivity to translate sustainability commitments into credible, investment-worthy decisions. By reducing market friction and providing the transparency required by global capital, Hong Kong is not only participating in the green transition but also helping the region navigate this path with greater certainty and confidence.
Mr. Yang Yonghang, Head of the Sustainable Banking Division at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, highlighted that as an international financial center and a regional green finance hub, Hong Kong plays a critical role in directing more capital toward green and sustainable activities and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy in the region. By enhancing risk management, improving transparency, fostering innovation, and addressing talent and knowledge gaps, Hong Kong is further developing into a preferred platform for sustainable financing both regionally and globally.
Dr. Guo Peiyuan, Chairman of China SIF and Chairman of SynTao Green Finance, pointed out that Hong Kong’s unique advantage—bridging Mainland China and international markets—forms the core of its competitiveness in sustainable finance. Dr. Guo believes that Hong Kong has already established a strong foundation in green bonds, sustainability disclosures, and talent development. The next step involves taking a leading role in emerging areas such as transition disclosures, biodiversity finance, and sustainability assurance.