The Hong Kong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau disclosed that as of June 30, 2025, there were 204 ESG funds recognized by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, with assets under management totaling approximately $148.9 billion USD (equivalent to over HK$1.161 trillion).

Regarding green bonds, a spokesperson from the Hong Kong Treasury Bureau stated that the total amount of green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong in 2024 exceeded $84 billion USD (or HK$655.2 billion). According to statistics from the International Capital Market Association, the total amount of green and sustainable bonds arranged for issuance in Hong Kong was approximately $43 billion USD (equivalent to HK$335.4 billion), ranking first in the Asian market for seven consecutive years since 2018, accounting for about 45% of the regional total. However, data for the first half of this year has not yet been released.

Speaking about Hong Kong's latest developments in promoting green finance, the spokesperson mentioned that the Hong Kong government will continue to work with financial regulators and the industry to advance Hong Kong's green and sustainable finance through a multi-pronged strategy, providing infrastructure and momentum conducive to market development.

Specifically, the latest progress of major measures includes:

(1) Government Sustainable Bond Programme: In June this year, the Hong Kong government issued green bonds worth approximately HK$21 billion equivalent under the "Government Sustainable Bond Programme," covering Renminbi, US Dollar, and Euro. This issuance attracted broad participation from global investors across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, with subscription amounts ranging from approximately 3.3 times to 12.5 times the issuance amount. As of June this year, the government has successfully issued a total of approximately HK$240 billion equivalent in green bonds, providing important benchmarks for Hong Kong and potential issuers in the region.

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui mentioned at yesterday's Legislative Council Panel on Financial Affairs meeting that the government promotes Hong Kong's green finance and green bond market development through green bond issuance. As of June this year, the government has issued approximately HK$240 billion equivalent in green bonds, covering Hong Kong Dollar, Renminbi, Euro, US Dollar, and different maturities, providing important benchmarks for Hong Kong and potential regional issuers. The government has also financed 116 eligible local green projects through this program.

Hui also noted that Hong Kong is committed to developing into a deeper and broader financing platform. As of July, various mainland local governments have cumulatively issued RMB 40 billion in local government bonds in Hong Kong, including green bonds, blue bonds, sustainable bonds, and social responsibility bonds.

(2) Market Development: Authorities continue to encourage more green and sustainable financing activities in Hong Kong through the "Green and Sustainable Finance Grant Scheme," while attracting more financial and professional service providers (including external review agencies) to establish or expand their operations in Hong Kong, building a comprehensive green finance ecosystem. As of early August this year, the bureau has subsidized over 590 green and sustainable debt instruments issued in Hong Kong under the above scheme, involving total debt exceeding $160 billion USD.

(3) Sustainable Disclosure: The Hong Kong Treasury Bureau launched the "Hong Kong Sustainable Disclosure Roadmap" in December last year, providing a clear pathway for large public interest entities to fully adopt International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards no later than 2028. The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as the setter of Hong Kong's sustainable reporting standards, completed public consultation and released Hong Kong Sustainable Disclosure Standards that fully align with ISSB standards in December last year. The International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation released jurisdictional descriptions in June this year and confirmed Hong Kong as one of the first jurisdictions targeting full adoption of ISSB standards, demonstrating Hong Kong's commitment to enhancing capital market transparency regarding sustainable development information, facilitating investor decision-making, and promoting global capital flow.

(4) Green and Sustainable Fintech: The Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group announced in March last year its collaboration with Cyberport and InvestHK to compile the "Hong Kong Green Fintech Map Prototype," providing one-stop information about Hong Kong's green fintech companies and related services to enhance corporate image. The Steering Group released the "Hong Kong Green Fintech Map 2025" with the latest information in June this year.

(5) Talent Development: To cultivate talent for further promoting green and sustainable finance development, the government launched the "Green and Sustainable Finance Training Pilot Programme" in 2022, available for applications by local eligible practitioners, related professionals, and students and graduates studying relevant subjects. As of the end of July this year, there are 95 eligible training courses and qualifications provided by local universities' professional development institutes, professional organizations, international training institutions, etc., which are continuously updated. The pilot programme has approved over 7,600 applications, involving total subsidies exceeding HK$42 million.

Additionally, "Hong Kong Green Week" will be held from September 8-12. InvestHK and the Hong Kong Green Finance Association announced they will explore Hong Kong's green and sustainable finance opportunities. The Hong Kong Green Finance Association will hold its "Eighth Annual Forum" next Monday (September 8), focusing on Hong Kong's leading position in green technology, green fintech, and climate innovation, further consolidating Hong Kong's key role in promoting low-carbon transformation in Asia. About 600 people have registered to participate in the event. Financial Secretary Paul Chan will deliver opening remarks, with in-depth discussions on challenges such as US tariffs and the situation of traditional finance in the green economy.

Hui stated yesterday that Hong Kong is a leading global green and sustainable finance hub, guiding international capital to match quality green projects, promoting regional economic green transformation, and actively contributing to the national dual carbon goals. Hong Kong has made significant progress in promoting various related measures and market development, and will continue to advance green finance-related work through different channels to consolidate Hong Kong's position as the regional green and sustainable finance center. The second "Hong Kong Green Week" will be held next week, providing a platform for dialogue and cooperation among different stakeholders.

As a supplementary note, the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong's recently published "Quarterly Report" indicates that this quarter continued to promote ESG fund development while strictly preventing greenwashing behavior, safeguarding ESG funds and addressing ESG data gaps. Additionally, the Securities and Futures Commission collaborated with academia in April to optimize greenhouse gas emission calculation tools, adding multiple new functions based on market feedback, including incorporating emission factors from different years to improve greenhouse gas emission calculation accuracy and generating detailed reports that clearly outline calculation processes, facilitating greenhouse gas emission reporting and third-party verification.