Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have become central to global business practices. Hong Kong, as a leading regional and international business hub, has positioned itself as a major center for ESG products, services, investments, and professional expertise.
The HKTDC ESG Index 2025 provides measurable insights into Hong Kong’s role as an ESG hub. It is derived from surveys conducted at 10 major HKTDC trade fairs and business events between April 2024 and March 2025, collecting responses from over 1,500 participants.
The Index includes:
- Overall ESG performance
- Three key ESG sub‑indices: Environmental, Social, Governance
- Comparative perspectives from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and internationally
1. Overall ESG Index Performance
| Index Measure | Score (2025 Final) |
|---|---|
| Overall ESG Index | 64.2 |
| Environmental Sub‑Index | 63.7 |
| Social Sub‑Index | 65.0 |
| Governance Sub‑Index | 64.2 |
- Threshold of 50 = Neutral benchmark.
- Hong Kong’s overall score of 64.2 clearly positions it as an effective and recognized ESG hub.
2. ESG Sub‑Indices Insights
Environmental Sub‑Index (63.7)
- Strengths:
- Diversity, quality, innovation in sustainable products/services.
- International respondents highlighted investment opportunities.
- High regard from Mainland China (68.8) and international (66.0) participants.
Social Sub‑Index (65.0)
- Strengths:
- The social sub-index shows strong appreciation for Hong Kong’s ESG talent pool, expertise, training, and certification programs, especially among Mainland Chinese and international respondents.
- Local respondents also valued Hong Kong’s efforts in community engagement and welfare initiatives.
Governance Sub‑Index (64.2)
- Strengths:
- Effective reporting frameworks and regulations praised by Mainland China and international respondents.
- Local respondents valued international collaborations and market access.
3. ESG Perspectives from Different Geographies
| Respondent Group | Overall Score | Environmental | Social | Governance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong‑based | 58.7 | Lower than others | Valued local community engagement | Valued international collaborations |
| Mainland China | 69.1 | 68.8 | Impressed by ESG talent | Praised reporting frameworks |
| International | 66.8 | 66.0 | Impressed by ESG professionals | Praised reporting frameworks |
Key Takeaways:
- Mainland China (69.1) and international (66.8) respondents rated Hong Kong higher than local respondents (58.7).
- Hong Kong is perceived externally as a strong ESG hub, particularly for talent, expertise, and investment opportunities.
4. ESG in Business Decision-Making
- 90% of surveyed businesses incorporate ESG into decision-making.
- Hong Kong businesses show strongest commitment (92%), compared to international (89%) and Mainland China (88%).
Despite this strong commitment, only 29% of businesses actively buy or sell ESG-compliant products or services, indicating room for growth in ESG trade activity.
Sectoral Participation in ESG Trade
By industry, the banking and financial sector had the highest proportion of practitioners (37%) actively involved in sourcing / providing ESG solutions. While the financial sector takes the lead, fashion and international trade & manufacturing are also active in terms of ESG engagements.
5. Commercial Advantages of ESG Compliance
The survey highlights clear commercial benefits of ESG practices:
- 64% of ESG buyers are willing to pay a green premium of at least 10% for ESG-compliant products and services.
- Motivations:
- Enhanced brand reputation.
- Compliance with regulations and risk management.
- Wider profit margin.
Summary: Hong Kong's Multi-Faceted ESG Ecosystem
The HKTDC ESG Index emphasizes Hong Kong’s comprehensive ESG ecosystem in 3 key core aspects:
Environmental
- Wide range of green products/services.
- Strong innovation and quality.
- Attractive investment opportunities.
Social
- Highly rated professional talent pool.
- Strong community engagement and welfare programs.
- Effective knowledge exchange and training.
Governance
- Robust reporting frameworks and regulations.
- Government incentives (EV subsidies, green finance grants).
- Strong international connections with trade partners and standards bodies.
Explore Full Survey Findings
Access detailed insights, including respondent profiles, via:
HKTDC ESG Index 2025: Hong Kong Widely Acknowledged as a Leading ESG Hub
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