Leading the way to a sustainable future and climate-resilient built environment

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The increasing focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related initiatives, has become a growing trend among companies and investors. In Hong Kong, leading real estate developers are increasingly committed to strengthening their ESG best practices, especially in climate change mitigation and adaptation. This commitment is beyond compliance and driven by an aim to reduce one's environmental impact, demonstrate social responsibility, as well as meet the expectations of investors. 

Sustainability disclosure standards continue to drive and sharpen the focus

According to the research report “Key sustainability trends that will drive decision-making in 2023” released by S&P Global Ratings, various new rules and disclosure standards in the world are under development with an aim to enhance transparency and consistency on sustainability-related issues, as well as mitigate the risk of misrepresentation, perceived as greenwashing, in financial markets. In 2023, it is believed that companies will have to prepare for reporting under a number of new and complex sustainability disclosure standards and adapt as they continue to evolve.

S&P Global has also released its Sustainability Yearbook 2023, recognising companies that demonstrate top sustainability practices within their industries based on the annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), and showcase the best sustainable business practices and sustainability trends among the world’s leading companies. From 7,800 assessed companies across 61 industries worldwide, only 712 top performing companies made it into the 2023 edition, of which 13 are based in Hong Kong. Sino Land, a listed real estate developer that owns and manages a portfolio of residential and commercial properties across the city, has been included for the first time.

Charting the pathway to net zero