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Hong Kong Sets Strategic Priorities for Sustainable Finance 2026-2028 at Steering Group Meeting

HK

Hong Kong Sets Strategic Priorities for Sustainable Finance 2026-2028 at Steering Group Meeting
HK

HK

Hong Kong Sets Strategic Priorities for Sustainable Finance 2026-2028 at Steering Group Meeting

2026-01-30 12:00 Last Updated At:12:29

Cross-Agency Steering Group announces Strategic Priorities for 2026 to 2028

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group (Steering Group) convened its 12th meeting on January 29, setting out its strategic priorities for 2026 to 2028 to further strengthen Hong Kong's role as a competitive and future-ready sustainable finance centre.

Building on the solid foundation of the 2023 to 2025 plan, the Steering Group's strategic priorities for the next three years are anchored around two key pillars:

1. Consolidate and strengthenefforts to solidify Hong Kong as a sustainable finance centre

  • Strengthening the sustainability disclosure ecosystem, including sustainability assurance, supporting high-quality transition plan disclosure, and the effective use of technology.

  • Expanding and deepening sustainable finance markets through facilitating sustainable capital flows through Hong Kong and strengthening cross border carbon market collaboration.

  • Strengthening external engagement via events and participation in global dialogues.

  • Supporting talent development through capacity building initiatives.

2. Develop Hong Kong’s strengths in emerging areas

  • Scaling transition finance with practical guidance, enabling tools and case studies, while encouraging wider industry adoption of transition planning.

  • Supporting adaptation finance by building market readiness, identifying capability gaps, and supporting product innovation and development, while strengthening physical risk assessment capabilities.

Co-Chair of the Steering Group and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Eddie Yue,said, "Hong Kong's sustainable finance market has witnessed significant development in the past few years. The 2026 to 2028 priorities will reinforce our groundwork for building a robust sustainable finance ecosystem, while positioning Hong Kong to capture the emerging opportunities in Asia's transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy."

Co-Chair of the Steering Group and the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC),Ms Julia Leung,said, "These new priorities underscore our ongoing commitment to ensuring Hong Kong remains globally aligned, forward-looking, and responsive to market needs. Enhancing disclosures and scaling transition finance are essential to supporting credible outcomes, transparent and science-based pathways across the financial system."

During the meeting, members also reviewed the progress made on the implementation of the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong (Note 1), including ongoing work on sustainability assurance (Note 2) and initiatives to strengthen the sustainability disclosure ecosystem. They also acknowledged the significant strides in establishing Hong Kong as a leading hub for sustainable and transition finance, including enhancing the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (Note 3), developing transition planning guidance for the banking sector, developing carbon market, and hosting major sustainable finance events in Hong Kong.

For details on the initiatives of the Steering Group and its members, please visit sustainablefinance.org.hk/en.

About the Steering Group

Established in May 2020, the Steering Group is co-chaired by the HKMA and the SFC. Members include the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Insurance Authority, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. The Steering Group aims to co-ordinate the management of climate and environmental risks to the financial sector, accelerate the growth of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong and support the Government's climate strategies.

Note 1: In December 2024, the HKSAR Government launched the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong, providing a well-defined pathway for large publicly accountable entities in Hong Kong to fully adopt the ISSB Standards no later than 2028.

Note 2: The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council published the Consultation on the Proposed Regulatory Framework for Sustainability Assurance in Hong Kong on December 29, 2025. The consultation marked a critical milestone in the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong.

Note 3: TheHKMA published the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance Phase 2A on January 22, 2026. Key updates include expanding the taxonomy scope to six sectors, increasing economic activities from 12 to 25, introducing transition elements and adding a new environmental objective on climate change adaptation to address growing physical climate risks and extreme weather challenges.

Source: AI-created image

Source: AI-created image

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video)

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (April 3), after observing the implementation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" on the first day at Tiu Keng Leng Station Public Transport Interchange. Following are Mr Sun's remarks at the media session:

Reporter: How do you evaluate the first-day roll-out of the scheme, and how do you address the fact that some elderly are not comprehensively understanding the whole implementation?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Today, 3rd of April, is the date when the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" is officially launched. For minibuses and for buses, the launch time was midnight today. For the MTR, it started from its first train which departed the terminal at 5.30am this morning.

So far, based on our territory-wide promotion, and also my own personal contact with the elderly through my visit to Wong Tai Sin including a public market and a restaurant, most of them are familiar with the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". They know the operation is very straightforward, for any fare that is at $10 or below, they still just need to pay $2. For fare that is over $10, the elderly just bare 20 per cent of the cost, and the rest of the fare will be borne by the Government. I gave them an example, for a bus fare that charges an adult for $15, the elderly people with JoyYou card would only have to pay $3, i.e. 20 per cent of the fare.

So, apart from today, we are also going to step up our promotion through television, radio and posters which have been posted all around Hong Kong. Also, as you can see, in 75 spots in Hong Kong, we are stationing the ambassadors for a total of three weeks. They are in the spots to help answer questions about the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". Apart from that, we have had the support of district councillors, Care Team members, and also staff of our welfare NGOs (non-governmental organisations). They are using their own ways to explain the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". We are pretty confident that the scheme is now being launched smoothly, and for those who will be using the new arrangement, they know about the operation.

Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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