GMT EIGHT - Commercial - ESG

Political Pressure Weakens ESG Momentum as Shareholder Support Declines

IKEA's Eco-Leap: Ditching 1,400 Tons of Plastic with Innovative Paper Packaging

The Evolving Landscape of Sustainability and ESG in the U.S. in 2025

Hong Kong SMEs Drive Business Growth Through Carbon‑Tracking Innovation

EU Biodiesel Tariffs Present Strategic Opportunity for Hong Kong's Green Fuel Transition

NatWest’s deeper push into the U.K.’s net-zero transition

NatWest Group has unveiled a larger, faster programme of climate-related lending, promising more capital for renewable projects and clearer “green” criteria for borrowers. By tightening its methodology and shifting low-carbon financing from a niche franchise into a core commercial line, the bank aims to reinforce its reputation as Britain’s premier transition lender just as the U.K. seeks to unlock private capital for decarbonisation.

Knight Frank releases the "Annual Sustainable Development Report 2024"

The 2024 Sustainable Development Report reflects the progress made by the group in reducing carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency, and building prosperous communities. Particularly proud is the company achieving its 2030 Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reduction targets six years ahead of schedule, reaching an important milestone and demonstrating the company's commitment to creating a better and more sustainable future.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau of Hong Kong releases the "ESG Development Roadmap for the Logistics Industry" to help small and medium enterprises enhance their competitiveness.

A spokesperson from the Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau stated that for Hong Kong logistics small and medium enterprises deeply integrated into the global supply chain, practicing ESG is no longer a choice, but a necessary measure to ensure the survival of enterprises and maintain international competitiveness.

Hong Kong Treasury Department: Hong Kong ESG management asset size exceeds HK$1 trillion in the first quarter.

The Hong Kong Treasury Department revealed that as of March 31, 2025, there are a total of 218 ESG funds approved by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, with assets under management totaling approximately 139.2 billion US dollars (equivalent to about 1085.7 billion Hong Kong dollars).

Qifu Technology, Inc. ADR Class A (QFIN.US) has once again been named as the "most respected company." The market has recognized the combination of "AI+ finance."

Keytech Technology retains the title of "Most Respected Company"

In 2023, Hong Kong's total greenhouse gas emissions were 34.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, a decrease of one quarter from the peak.

In 2023, Hong Kong's total greenhouse gas emissions were approximately 34.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, a decrease of about 20% from the 2005 level. Compared to the emissions peak in 2014, the total emissions have decreased by about one quarter.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange: Eight aspects to help Asia achieve net zero goals

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange advocates for issuers to comply with internationally recognized climate disclosure and reporting standards.

HKEX's Charles Li: Companies' interest and involvement in the international carbon market platform Core Climate are gradually increasing.

Zhou Guanying, known as the international carbon market Core Climate platform of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, provides high-quality carbon credit products, and the interest and participation of enterprises in this platform are gradually increasing.

ING Bank: It is estimated that the global issuance of green bonds will increase to $700 billion by 2025.

Global green bond issuance reached a record high of $688 billion in 2024, with ING Bank predicting it will increase to $700 billion by 2025, indicating strong market commitment to sustainable development.

Report: More than half of the companies have not yet disclosed scope three emissions data.

The report shows that most companies lack scientifically-based carbon reduction targets. Even though 85% of the surveyed companies have promised to disclose carbon emissions in their ESG reports, 57% have failed to set targets based on science or follow international disclosure standards.

Hong Kong Exchange to implement new climate disclosure rules starting January Equinix: A big step towards ESG development

Han Tzu-en said that currently, many of Equinix's Hong Kong customers are using the Equinix Green Power Report to assess their achievements in promoting sustainable development, while also meeting their disclosure responsibilities and complying with the global International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 benchmarks.

Index Research Institute: The overall disclosure rate of ESG reports for listed property service companies has reached 95.65%.

The Middle Finger Research Institute released a research report on the ESG evaluation of listed property service companies in China in 2024.

PricewaterhouseCoopers: ESG disclosure of Hong Kong-listed companies has entered a fully mature stage.

Biodiversity management and disclosure of information are gradually becoming key areas for the sustainable development of enterprises.

Liang Fengyi: Hopes that ESG information in the Hong Kong financial market can be more transparent.

She said that currently, a total of five vendors have expressed their readiness to sign this voluntary code of conduct.

Luo Bingxian Yongdao: APEC important commodity supply faces increasing climate risks

The APEC economies are among the top three producers of all six commodities studied in the report globally, with key minerals and important metals being an essential part of global production and supply in industries such as electronics, technology, manufacturing, energy systems, and consumer goods.

Friends of the Earth Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Financial Development Bureau jointly organized a side event forum at COP29 to promote the transformation of finance and achieve a net zero emissions economy.

At the upcoming COP29 China side event forum, representatives from the government, financial institutions, industry, research institutions, academia, civil society organizations, and innovative technology sectors will be invited to participate in discussions, share and promote new concepts, new models, and new examples of sustainable financial development.

Schroder: Carbon reduction strategies need to consider a broader perspective. Stock investors need to consider carbon footprint.

As the world accelerates towards net zero emissions, Schroder's Global Equity director Simon Webber and Diversified Asset Investment strategist Ben Popatlal discuss how investors can flexibly adjust their investment strategies to achieve carbon reduction goals in their portfolios.

Droplet Company releases ESG report: R&D investment to reach 2.99 billion by 2023.

Adhere to both technological innovation and social responsibility.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission welcomes voluntary compliance guidelines for ESG rating and data product suppliers.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission welcomes a working group led by industry leaders to release a set of voluntary standards for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings and data providers offering products and services in Hong Kong today.

Hang Seng Index Company releases the 2024 Sustainability Rating of Listed Companies.

Hang Seng Index Company released the sustainable development ratings of Hong Kong and Mainland China listed companies for 2024 on its "ESG Services" webpage on August 26th.

Seeking Coverage

Being Writer

Exploring Cooperation