[Policy Update] HKMA Launches Public Consultation on Phase 2B Prototype of Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance

📰 News Highlight

Recently, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) launched a public consultation on the Phase 2B prototype of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (the "Taxonomy").

⚙️ Core Components

1.       Expanded Mitigation and Enabling Technologies: Phase 2B adds 10 new economic activities to the "Climate Change Mitigation" category, expanding the total covered activities from 25 to 39.

2.       Standardized Climate Adaptation Measures: The update incorporates 24 dedicated climate adaptation activities, focusing heavily on coastal and flood management.

💡 Key Takeaways

1.       Standardized Framework to Combat Regional Greenwashing: The taxonomy aligns local green finance with the latest climate science and international benchmarks.

2.       Elevating Coastal and Infrastructure Resilience: The addition of process-based adaptation metrics provides municipal infrastructure developers, coastal asset operators.

[Market Update] 2026 China Corporate Sustainable Development Action Conference Held in Beijing

On September 15, 2026, the "Value Reconstruction, Intelligent New Chapter — 2026 China Corporate Sustainable Development Action Conference", organized by China Business Journal, was held in Beijing.

💡 Key Takeaways

1.       Shifting from Conceptual Advocacy to Operational Execution: Cross-industry practices shared at the summit demonstrate that corporate sustainability is moving rapidly from high-level advocacy into daily operational reality.

2.       Converting ESG Factors into Strategic Value Creation: Against the backdrop of converging green and digital technologies, sustainability is no longer treated as an isolated compliance burden.

[Carbon Market]

During September 14 – September 18, the total transaction volume of Carbon Emission Allowances (CEA) in the Chinese National Carbon Market reached 5,753,939 tons, with a total transaction value of USD 79,696,214.15. The highest price was USD 14.34/ton, and the lowest price was USD 13.23/ton. For bulk agreement transactions, the volume was 4,032,568 tons, with a transaction value of USD 55,070,159.50.