Contributing to the transition towards a low-carbon future

The article was first published on Hong Kong Echo.

In a shifting global landscape, Hong Kong’s leadership in sustainable finance is taking on greater importance for businesses and investors around the region.

Despite global uncertainty, Hong Kong continues to grow rapidly as a green finance hub. As of 2024, it was home to 231 ESG funds managing over US$175 billion and the leading market in Asia for green and sustainable bond issuance for a seventh consecutive year. ¹ Green and sustainable debt issuance reached over US$84 billion in 2024, marking a 61.4% increase.²

Behind these numbers is a coordinated policy to leverage Hong Kong’s international connectivity to scale up green finance, with clearly defined policies and incentives now firmly in place. 

The progress we are seeing in Hong Kong is part of a region-wide shift. Across Asia Pacific, more companies are disclosing transition plans and setting emissions targets.³

For our clients, decarbonisation brings both opportunity and complexity, especially as policies, technologies and investor expectations evolve. As one of the longest-established European banks in Asia Pacific, we help clients in Hong Kong and across Asia Pacific access international capital in a dynamic environment — not only through lending and capital markets, but also through tailored sustainable finance advisory. 

In June 2025, we supported MTR Corporation’s inaugural US$3 billion subordinated perpetual securities issuance — the largest of its kind in Asia ex-Japan — leveraging Hong Kong’s connectivity to the global capital markets to support the city’s low-carbon transport infrastructure.

Every transition path is unique. We listen, engage and deliver bespoke solutions — from project finance and M&A advisory to green loans and sustainability-linked structures. We also help clients benchmark their progress, identify gaps, and develop financing strategies aligned to climate goals.

Across the region, we have led landmark deals this year: acting as lead arranger for the first co-located solar and battery energy storage project in Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital; supporting Serentica Renewables on a 200MW solar project for Bharat Aluminium, our second collaboration with a firm committed to decarbonising hard-to-abate industries in India; and coordinating a A$610 million green loan for real estate firm Investa's Parkline Place project, a new landmark in Sydney’s central business district.

Societe Generale has a strong track record in supporting complex, one-of-a-kind projects and low-carbon innovations in emerging areas like hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and low-carbon shipping. In Asia Pacific, the technical expertise of partners like Societe Generale can help businesses move from ambition to action and help ensure the region’s energy transition is both bankable and lasting. Specifically, we are currently advising several Southeast Asian corporations on their carbon capture and storage strategies and projects.

In these uncertain times, access to finance is more critical than ever. We remain committed to supporting our clients in Hong Kong and across Asia Pacific with the tools they need to progress towards a more sustainable future. 

<sub>1. www.sustainablefinance.org.hk/en/markets-regulation
2. www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/publication-and-research/quarterly-bulletin/qb202503/fa1.pdf
3. www.msci.com/research-and-insights/quick-take/energy-transition-momentum-building-in-apac</sub>