top of page

Navigating Hong Kong’s Net Zero Transition Panel Discussion

  • 7 days ago
  • 2 min read
Navigating Hong Kong’s Net Zero Transition Panel Discussion
Navigating Hong Kong's Net Zero Transition - Panel Discussion

Chaired by Professor Christine Loh (HKUST Institute for the Environment), the panel brought together perspectives from investor relations (Dr. Eva Chan, HKIRA), independent climate tech adviser (Mr. Derek Ip, CFA), sustainable finance (Ms Serena Mak, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Hong Kong) and the organiser (Mr. Steven Choi, Green Council) to explain how the Net Zero Awards for Excellence differs from conventional ESG ratings and why it matters for Hong Kong.


The panel identified four core differentiators. First, the framework positions climate change as opportunity as well as risk - assessment results are designed to act as a signal to investors, helping companies convert decarbonisation effort into business and investment momentum over the long capital-planning horizon to 2050.


Second, the framework emphasises substantiation over disclosure - it looks beyond published numbers to management support, governance quality, and whether capital genuinely follows commitments.


Third, it is tailor-made for Hong Kong, covering five key industries with criteria adjusted for the local business culture - deliberately departing from elements of international benchmarks that do not fit the Hong Kong context.


Fourth, it operates dual tracks for listed and non-listed companies: listed companies are asked to go deeper than their existing disclosure obligations, while non-listed companies are assessed on data availability, validation, and voluntary alignment with listed-company reporting standards.


As the organiser, the Green Council established the Net Zero Awards for Excellence to provide companies with a structured assessment framework for strengthening their net zero strategies - and a credible reference point for what a robust decarbonisation pathway looks like. More than a recognition scheme, the NZAFE enables companies to benchmark the credibility, governance and execution of their decarbonisation plans, with Scope 3 emissions included in the assessment. The scheme's ultimate goal is not to hand out labels, but to harvest and share best practices from pioneers across industries. The Green Council sees participation as a commitment to the decarbonisation journey rather than a pursuit of accolades, and believes the insights generated through the scheme can contribute meaningfully to Hong Kong's wider net zero transition, including informing future policy discussions on decarbonisation.


Navigating Hong Kong’s Net Zero Transition Panel Discussion.


📋 Applications are now open - closing 18 December 2026.


Open to all HKEX Main Board-listed companies and any company publishing a standalone ESG or sustainability report.


Apply now: 🔗 www.nzafe.hk | ✉️ nzafe@greencouncil.org




bottom of page