Advancing Green and Sustainable Finance to Strengthen Hong Kong's Role as a Low-Carbon Transition Hub

Hong Kong, October 30, 2025 – Friends of the Earth (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), will participate in the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil. On November 11, 2025, they will co-host a Side Event in the China Pavilion titled “Converging Innovation in Hong Kong: Forging a Resilient City and a Global Green Finance Hub”. This marks the third collaborative presence of the FoE HK and FSDC at COP, showcasing Hong Kong's pivotal role in advancing global green finance and climate action.

The Side Event will focus on Hong Kong's trailblazing green finance initiatives, energy transition strategies, and its drive to build climate-resilient urban environments, underscoring the city’s status as a global green finance hub. Mr Plato Yip, Chairperson of FoE HK, stated, “FoE HK is deeply honoured to once again join hands with the FSDC to illuminate Hong Kong's pivotal role as a trailblazer in green finance and sustainable development. As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned with unparalleled expertise and a wealth of experience in combating climate change, championing low-carbon economic transformation, and fortifying climate resilience. Through this dynamic platform, we aspire to showcase Hong Kong's innovative achievements, inspire meaningful dialogue, and catalyse global collaboration at the upcoming COP30, paving the way for a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future.”

Hong Kong: Leading in Green Finance, Driving Global Low-Carbon Transition

As an international financial centre, Hong Kong leverages its strategic position under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, to channel international capital into high-impact environmental projects, contributing significantly to regional and global green economic transition. The HKSAR Government is committed to green finance and sustainable development, exemplified by ongoing efforts to expand the local green finance taxonomy, champion transition finance, and integrate fintech innovations that support a sustainable low-carbon economy.

Dr King Au, Executive Director of the FSDC said, “In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, Hong Kong is reinforcing its role as a global hub for green and sustainable finance through deep market expertise and robust public–private collaboration. Our progress toward Phase II of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance and the well-received Government Sustainable Bond Programme—alongside green‑fintech support and talent development—are scaling market infrastructure and capacity. Leveraging our unique connectivity with the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asia‑Pacific, Hong Kong is well-placed to mobilise international capital, advance innovative financing instruments, and forge global partnerships to drive practical energy transition pathways.”

Cross-Sector Collaboration Fostering Green Innovation

Guided by the Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, People's Republic of China, the China Pavilion Side Event will convene representatives from the government, financial institutions, industry, academia, and non-governmental organisations to explore practical innovations in green finance. Key topics include green bonds, green investment funds, energy transition financing, and carbon credit trading.

At this event, FoE HK will jointly release the Global Typical Cities Green and Low-Carbon Transparency Index (CGTI) with the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE). The CGTI is co-developed by the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences and IPE, with the assessment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conducted in collaboration with FoE HK. The report evaluates 30 global typical cities, including Tokyo, New York, London, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, focusing on the transparency of monitoring and information disclosure in four key dimensions: environment, climate, ecology, and development. It aims to identify best practices, promote mutual learning among cities, enhance ecological and climate governance capabilities, and showcase the progress of Hong Kong and other cities in green and low-carbon development.

Looking Ahead to COP30: Co-creating a Resilient Future

Moderated by Ms Ophelia Lin, Vice-Chairperson of FoE HK and Founding President of SME Sustainability Society, the Side Event forum co-organised by FoE HK and FSDC will focus on the theme "Connecting the World: Advancing Green and Sustainable Finance."  Mr Plato Yip will deliver a welcoming remark, followed by a keynote address from Dr King Au, outlining the progress and direction in advancing transition finance, and setting out Hong Kong's green finance vision and practices.

The roundtable discussion, led by Prof Amos Tai from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, along with distinguished guests including Dr King Au; Ms Germana Cruz, CEO & Head of Banking, Brazil, Standard Chartered; Mr Jörg Eigendorf, Chief Sustainability Officer of Deutsche Bank; and Prof Xu Yuan from the Department of Geography and Resource Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, will explore innovative green finance solutions enabling energy transition and sustainable growth.

At COP30, Hong Kong will deepen collaboration with neighbouring regions, Belt and Road countries, and the global community to drive funding and innovative solutions to tackle global climate challenges. This international platform allows FoE HK and FSDC to showcase Hong Kong’s leadership in climate action and green finance while fostering international collaboration to build resilient cities and a sustainable future.