Majority back HK for transition finance, carbon markets, regional vehicles

Labelled sustainable-bond issuance across Southeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area has surpassed  $2.34t.

Hong Kong is emerging as a top contender to lead Southeast Asia’s sustainable finance growth in transition-finance frameworks, high-integrity carbon markets, and regionally focused investment vehicles, according to a new joint study.

More than half of surveyed organisations across the region identified these three areas as priority opportunities for Hong Kong, the report said.

It was published by the Hong Kong Financial Research Institute of Bank of China, the MSCI Sustainability Institute, and the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, and presented at the BOCHK Green Forum 2025 during Hong Kong Green Week.

The report also noted that labelled sustainable-bond issuance across Southeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area has surpassed about $2.34t (US$300b) from 2015 to mid-2025, highlighting growing regional momentum.

The estimate is based on an indicative $7.80 exchange rate, consistent with the Hong Kong dollar’s 7.75–7.85 trading band.