HKEX Announces Official Launch of Sustainable and Green Exchange

​​Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), one of the world's major exchange groups, announced that it has launched the Sustainable and Green Exchange (STAGE) to support fast-growing global demand for sustainable finance.

As the first multi-asset sustainable investment product platform in Asia, the STAGE will allow issuers to provide investors with more information on their sustainable investment products, promoting transparency and facilitating access. Issuers included on STAGE must provide additional voluntary disclosures on their sustainable investment products, such as use of proceeds reports, as well as annual post issuance reports.

At the heart of the STAGE platform is an online product repository, which at launch features 29 sustainable-themed products from leading Asian corporates. These HKEX-listed sustainable products include sustainability, green, and transition bonds from issuers across a variety of sectors including utilities, transportation, property development and financial services as well as ESG-related exchange traded products. Over time, the scope of the product repository will increase across asset class, industry, in Hong Kong and beyond.

“The opportunities in sustainable finance in Asia are growing rapidly. There is a need for information about sustainable products and ESG data, and we hope that STAGE will help meet that demand,” said Wilfred Yiu, HKEX's Head of Markets. “STAGE will connect market participants, issuers and investors, providing a one-stop shop for reliable green data and products, helping to drive growth potential, transparency and access to Asia's exciting green and sustainable financial market.”

Globally, in excess of US$30 trillion is invested in the sustainable finance market, but less than one per cent of that is in Asia. But with increasing government and policy support, the business and investment case for sustainable finance in Asia is stronger than ever.