IFR Asia's Sustainable Finance Roundtable: The Road to Net Zero will take place in Hong Kong as part of HKGreenWeek on the afternoon of Monday September 7, 2026.

As the target dates approach for net zero goals, banks and corporates in Greater China are looking at what they can do to keep the transition on track.

Banks in Hong Kong are supposed to achieve net zero in their own operations by 2030 and in their financed emissions by 2050. This means financial institutions have had to make plans for the managed phase-out of carbon-intensive assets, whether that means exiting clients or working with them on practical transition plans.

Companies in hard-to-abate sectors risk being shut out of capital markets, and being saddled with stranded assets, if they do not come up with ambitious, tangible decarbonisation plans.

In the mainland, China’s goal is for carbon emissions to peak by 2030 and then decline to net zero by 2060. Some have questioned the lack of absolute emissions targets, and while China is growing its share of renewable energy capacity it is still growing fossil fuel use at the moment. Still, China’s green sovereign bond framework prioritises conservation and green development, with a goal of creating a “Beautiful China”.

Chinese issuers have been selling ESG-labelled bonds for years, and some now label their deals according to the specifically targeted use of proceeds, such as carbon neutrality bonds. While many investors welcome the detail, some question whether such granular labels risk making the market fragmented and bonds harder to compare.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is developing into a sustainable finance and technology hub for Greater China, connecting companies with international investors.

Despite the urgent need to fund the transition to a low-carbon economy, transition bonds and loans have yet to gain traction, even with an increasing number of taxonomies helping to establish common standards. They do not fit comfortably into green funds and corporate issuers may struggle to convince investors that they are serious about reaching their goals – but can they play a role in helping Greater China meet its net zero target?

IFR Asia will convene a panel of experts from the financial markets to discuss these and other talking points.

Topics to be discussed will include:

  • Which industries are making progress in reaching net zero? Are there any industries that are still lagging behind?
  • What role can Hong Kong play in China’s sustainability journey?
  • Could labelled transition finance bonds or loans help companies fund their journey to net zero?
  • What is the risk from “stranded assets” if companies are unable to raise financing for particular businesses due to investors’ ESG concerns?
  • Are all of the new net zero technologies bankable, or is there a role for third-party guarantee providers?

The event is free to attend, but you must be registered. Secure your place using the form on this page.
Event Details
Date:  Monday September 7, 2026
Time:  14:15 - 17:00
Venue:  18/F, ICBC Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
Format:  Complimentary, in-person event
Outline Timings
14:15 - Registration
15:00 - Panel discussion
16:15 - Networking drinks
17:00 - Close
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Sponsorship Opportunities
To discuss the various sponsorship opportunities that IFR Asia events offer, please contact shahid.hamid@lseg.com.