Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai
Science-based targets initiative (SBTi) offers a plethora of advantages over incremental GHG reduction targets for businesses and importantly, assists companies to identify and promote innovative approaches to setting ambitious and meaningful corporate GHG reduction targets consistent with the best available climate science.
New Zealand has become the first country in the world to make climate risk reporting mandatory for banks, asset managers and insurers.
The Hong Kong Green Finance Association (“HKGFA”) announced the official launch of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Green Finance Alliance (“GBA-GFA”) at the inaugural launch ceremony on 4 September. The Alliance aims to facilitate the greening of the Greater Bay Area.
The new ESG requirements announced on 18 December 2019 as part of the HKEX’s consultation conclusions on review of the ESG reporting guide and related listing rules apply to HK-listed companies with financial years commencing on or after 1 July 2020.
On May 29, 2020, the People's Bank of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission solicited public opinions on the drafting of the "Catalogue of Green Bond Endorsed Projects (2020 Edition)". The new Catalogue is of paramount importance to the sustainable economic and social development, and industrial green transformation and upgrading.
In order to promote the development of green industries, the General Office of the National Development and Reform Commission recently issued the "Notice on Organising the Construction of Green Industry Demonstration Bases." The notice proposes that a group of industrial parks will be selected for the construction of green industry demonstration bases. It is aimed that, by 2025, the construction of green industry demonstration bases will make phased progress and cultivate a group of leading green industry enterprises.
The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited announced that it plans to establish a sustainable and green exchange named "STAGE". It is described as Asia’s first sustainable financial information platform. It aims to establish a bond and exchange traded product (ETP) information database within the year, covering sustainability bonds, green bonds and social bonds listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and other ESG-related ETPs.
As the world starts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, there is no better opportunity than building a greener and more sustainable world. As an e-commerce giant, Amazon’s strategies and roadmap of sustainability shows important aspects for business and corporate to learn from.
GRI announced the launch of GRI 306: Waste 2020, the first globally applicable tool for organisations to report and communicate on their waste impacts. GRI 306: Waste 2020 reflects global best practices on waste management and will be effective for reports and other materials published on or after 1 January 2022.
The Chinese and UK governments, at the 9th UK–China Economic and Financial Dialogue held on 15 December 2017, agreed to strengthen green finance cooperation and encouraged financial institutions of the two countries to jointly pilot climate and environmental information disclosure. The pilot is a four-year initiative, including one year of preparation and three years of action. 2019 was the second year of the pilot. The following passage is going to show the progress and main goals of the pilot.
