Hong Kong and Mainland China are stepping up to lead the global sustainable finance movement, filling a critical gap in international climate funding. In a recent feature by the International Financing Review (IFR), CASI Chairman Dr. Ma Jun shared his insights on this shifting landscape and the vital need for capacity building.
As global dynamics shift and international markets navigate complex geopolitical and economic challenges, Asia is uniquely positioned to drive the next wave of green investment.
“Asia has to play a bigger role,” Dr. Ma Jun told IFR. “Asia itself has the strongest need for decarbonisation.”
The IFR article underscores how the region is building a robust, world-class green finance ecosystem. In 2025, China accounted for over 23% of global green bond issuance, while Hong Kong cemented its status as the largest arranging hub in Asia, handling 40% of the region’s international green and sustainable bond volume.
Building a Complete Ecosystem
A key driver of this success is the development of interoperable frameworks. As Dr. Ma noted, Hong Kong’s sustainable finance journey has resulted in a “quite complete ecosystem” featuring a taxonomy that aligns with both Chinese and European standards. Recently updated in early 2026, this framework has evolved beyond “pure green” to include crucial transition activities for carbon-intensive sectors like manufacturing and tech, as well as climate change adaptation criteria.
Exporting Knowledge: The Mission of CASI
While domestic growth is strong, the true impact of this leadership lies in its export to the rest of the world. The IFR piece highlights how China and Hong Kong are leveraging initiatives to expand sustainable finance into emerging and frontier markets.
Crucially, the article spotlights the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI). Operating out of Beijing and Hong Kong, CASI serves as a central hub for sustainable finance knowledge, dedicated to training professionals and accelerating green investment in emerging markets.
By demonstrating how affordable green technology can enhance project bankability, CASI and its partners are showing the world what is possible. As Dr. Ma concluded, whether financing projects domestically or in other Asian nations: “The projects speak for themselves.”
Read the full article on IFR here: Hong Kong bids for sustainable finance leadership