Hong Kong, November 12, 2025 – Friends of the Earth (HK) (FoE (HK)) and the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), in collaboration with the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government), co-hosted a Side Event titled “Connecting the World: Advancing Green and Sustainable Finance” at the China Pavilion during the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil yesterday. The event brought together representatives from governments, financial institutions, industrial companies, academia, and non-governmental organisations globally to advance green finance and climate resilience of cities with the aim of driving global transition toward a low-carbon economy through sustainable finance innovation and international collaboration.

With the guidance from the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, People's Republic of China, the Side Event demonstrated how Hong Kong can mobilise financial capital globally to support green projects, leveraging its position as an international financial centre. Discussions covered a broad range of topics, including green bonds, green investment funds, and carbon credit trading. Speakers also highlighted Hong Kong's expanding green finance framework and fintech capabilities, consolidating its position as a global green finance hub in pioneering innovative pathways toward net-zero emissions.

In her keynote address, “Green Capital Connects the World: Driving the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy,” Ms Ophelia Lin, Vice-Chairperson of FoE (HK) and Founding President of SME Sustainability Society, stated, “Hong Kong has earned global recognition as an international financial centre capable of mobilising green capital and delivering professional services to power the global low-carbon transition. With its deep expertise in structuring and financing energy transition projects, as well as a highly skilled professional workforce in law, accounting, and finance, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to champion sustainable investment and innovation. By connecting green capital with climate solutions, Hong Kong actively contributes to a low-carbon economy and global climate goals.”

Dr King Au, Executive Director of the FSDC, underscored Hong Kong’s momentum in consolidating its role as a global green finance hub through policy and market innovations, “At this pivotal moment for global climate action and transition, Hong Kong is strengthening collaboration with stakeholders worldwide to deliver green and sustainable finance at scale. Hong Kong, with its clear, robust and evidence-based Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, is helping to channel long term capital globally to finance economic activities that align with the Paris agreement. We will continue to expand market reach and product breath of sustainable finance in Hong Kong by bolstering ecosystem resilience through greentech and talent development. Being a premier green finance hub, Hong Kong can leverage its unique connectivity with the Chinese Mainland to become a green superconnector by bridging green capital and green opportunities.”

Launch of the Global City Green and Low Carbon Transparency Index

During the event, FoE (HK) and the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) jointly launched the Global City Green and Low Carbon Transparency Index (CGTI). Co-developed by the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences and IPE, with the HKSAR’s assessment conducted in collaboration with FoE (HK). The report assesses 30 leading cities worldwide—including Tokyo, New York, London, and Hong Kong— in terms of information disclosure and regulatory performance across dimensions such as environment, climate, ecology, and development. Drawing on official data, enterprise disclosures, research findings, and the Blue Map database, the CGTI evaluates performance in areas such as urban green co-construction, pollution source monitoring (PITI), air quality (AQTI), water quality (WQTI), carbon neutrality, and green supply chains (CITI). Its aim is to identify international best practices, promote cross-city learning, and enhance climate governance capacity.

Mr Ma Jun, Founder of the IPE, remarked, "The global green low-carbon transition has reached a critical stage of implementation. Enhancing urban transparency is vital to building governance capacity and aligning government, market, and social forces toward a future where humanity and nature coexist harmoniously. By fostering continuous evaluation, benchmarking, and dialogue, we hope to accelerate the green progress of global cities through ongoing evaluation, benchmarking, and dialogue."

FoE (HK) played a key role in assessing Hong Kong’s performance, integrating local environmental data across air and water quality, biodiversity, and green infrastructure. Prof. Amos Tai from Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Board Governor of FoE (HK), shared: “The public disclosure of environmental information enables the government, businesses, and citizens to collaborate on the same factual basis, thereby promoting climate actions that are more scientifically grounded and credible. Hong Kong's performance in the disclosure of information on air quality, water resource management, and solid waste demonstrates the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's strengths in environmental monitoring and digital governance. Through this platform, we can further strengthen regional and international knowledge sharing, encouraging more cities to jointly advance toward a sustainable, low-carbon, and resilient future in a scientific, transparent, and innovative manner.”

Fostering Dialogue on Green Finance and Energy Transition

A high-level roundtable, moderated by Prof Amos Tai, featured distinguished speakers including Dr King Au; Ms Germana Cruz, CEO & Head of Banking, Brazil, Standard Chartered; Ms Daisy Shen, Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), KPMG China; Mr Kamran Khan, Head of Sustainable Finance for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Deutsche Bank; and Prof Xu Yuan from the Department of Geography and Resource Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Under the theme "Advancing Energy Transition and Building a Low-Carbon Society: Green Finance Innovations in Practice," the discussion explored practical financing mechanisms supporting energy transition and sustainable growth. Dr Au noted, " At this forum in Brazil gathering global partners, we focus on exploring how to jointly advance the development of transition finance. As an international financial centre, Hong Kong possesses the necessary institutional and market advantages, and will collaborate with all parties to propel this field toward a more mature stage.”

Strengthening International Cooperation for a Sustainable Future

The Side Event concluded successfully under the moderation of Dr Jeffrey Hung, Chief Executive Officer of FoE (HK). Through the global stage of COP30, FoE (HK) and the FSDC reinforced Hong Kong’s commitment to cooperate with neighbouring regions, particularly across the Belt and Road region, and the international community, in addressing global climate challenges through a vibrant green financing ecosystem and innovative tech solutions. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its strengths as an unique green superconnector to accelerate the world’s collective progress toward a sustainable, low-carbon future.