Cross-Agency Steering Group launches revamped website for sustainable finance
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group (Steering Group) has revamped its official website (CASG website) with enhanced database and tools to offer a one-stop green and sustainable finance information hub for financial institutions, corporates and the general public.
Key enhancements of the CASG website include:
Sustainability Disclosure e-Portal: The Climate and Environmental Risk Questionnaire for Non-listed companies (Questionnaire) has been digitalised. The Questionnaire is an easy-to-use template developed and launched in 2022 by the Steering Group and CDP to help corporates, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, get started in sustainability reporting. The digitalisation facilitates reporting and will support broader consent-based data sharing between corporates and financial institutions (Note).
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calculation and estimation tools: Together with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Steering Group has developed two tools to support the calculation and estimation of GHG emissions. The calculation tool enables users, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to calculate their GHG emissions based on actual activity levels. The results can be automatically exported to answer relevant questions in the Questionnaire. The estimation tool enables users, primarily financial institutions, to estimate the GHG emissions associated with their investments or loans where data of underlying companies is limited.
Centralised sustainability data and information: Sustainability related data, regulation, news and events, training and internship opportunities will be featured on the CASG website with user-friendly browsing and search functions.
The Steering Group will continue to enhance the CASG website to support Hong Kong's decarbonisation efforts and role as a regional and global green and sustainable finance hub.
About the Steering Group
Established in May 2020, the Steering Group is co-chaired by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission. Members include the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Insurance Authority, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, and the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council. The Steering Group aims to coordinate 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: CDP is a global non-profit organisation that runs the world's environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Nearly 20 000 organisations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2022, including more than 18 700 companies worth half of global market capitalisation, and over 1 100 cities, states and regions.
Ends/Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Issued at HKT 17:30
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