Government policies promote ESG development 

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) and climate change are gaining global attention, and the Chinese mainland and Greater Bay Area (GBA) are no exception. In its 14th Five-Year Plan and Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, the Central Government has made it clear that it supports the development of green finance in the country1. Specifically, at the conference on the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Central Government emphasized its commitment to making Hong Kong a green finance center in the GBA.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is also eager to promote Hong Kong as a premier financing platform for governments and green enterprises in the mainland and around the globe. Its plan to achieve this objective was stated in its Policy Address 2022, where it was announced that the Council for Sustainable Development will be reorganized into the new Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development. The new Council will advise on decarbonization strategies and support sustainable development and decarbonization efforts.

With sustainable development being a strategic priority for the GBA, significant resources will be directed towards the region's sustainable development, thereby creating growth and opportunities in ESG and green and sustainable finance.