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Earth Day: Paul Chan says Hong Kong has the expertise, liquidity to support region’s transition finance needs

  • Hong Kong can ‘position ourselves as the hub for sustainable investments’, finance chief tells Earth Day forum
  • Need more guidance on definitions, examples and very clear deadlines to address transition risks: SynTao Green Finance International’s Stan Ho

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Financial Secretary Paul Chan speaks at Earth Forum 2024 in Hong Kong on Monday. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong can do more to help finance the transition of high-emitting sectors and heavy-polluting industries to more sustainable business activities as a hub for the region, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said at an Earth Day forum on Monday.

“Transition finance is not just an investment strategy,” Chan told the Earth Forum, an event organised by Friends of the Earth (HK), the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council and China Sustainable Investment Forum.

“It is a catalyst for positive change. Hong Kong has the opportunity to lead in this area, and [to] position ourselves as the hub for sustainable investments.”

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Transition finance refers to bonds and loans that help companies turn their carbon-intensive operations into climate-neutral activities aligned with global green ambitions.

“I believe we can do more,” Chan said. “There is clearly room to explore how Hong Kong could better help channel capital to support the transition of high-emitting sectors and heavy-polluting industries in the region.”

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As an international financial centre, Hong Kong has gathered top-class financial institutions with very deep liquidity, Chan added.

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