The Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency today announced the launch of its Green Finance Certification Scheme - ESG Fund to provide third-party conformity assessments on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) fund.

The scheme will further promote ESG initiatives to direct capital flows towards green and sustainable uses.

Welcoming the launch of the initiative, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said that building on the success of the certification scheme for green debt instruments and the green fund introduced in 2018 and 2019, the extension to the ESG fund will promote more disclosure and strengthen market confidence in green financial products as the Government continues to develop and consolidate Hong Kong as the leading regional hub for green finance.

"We are pleased to note the increasing market awareness of ESG efforts in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to support the certification scheme and encourage more local, Mainland and overseas entities to make use of the scheme and Hong Kong's capital markets for ESG investments and financing."