The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants: 66% of companies listed on the Hang Seng Index have made reports on their emissions within scope three.

A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants revealed that among the 105 constituent companies of the Hang Seng Composite LargeCap Index, 66% of the surveyed companies reported on Scope 3 emissions to some extent. In comparison, only 50% of companies reported on Scope 3 emissions in HKEX's analysis of listed companies' 2023/24 annual reports. This survey was conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants to assess listed companies' readiness to adhere to the latest Environmental, Social, and Governance Reporting Guide and apply ISSB standards and the Hong Kong disclosure requirements on sustainability. It also aimed to assess their commitment to the carbon neutrality goals set by the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese governments. The Institute believes that more and more large companies are preparing for the upcoming regulatory requirements and are fulfilling their commitments to the carbon neutrality goals set by both the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese governments. The Institute recommends that companies expand their efforts related to climate targets, including comprehensive coverage of Scope 3 emissions, providing clear explanations for their chosen greenhouse gas emission reduction baseline year, and consider obtaining external assurance through recognized frameworks such as SBTi. Companies should also set a target date for achieving carbon neutrality/net zero emissions and develop a clear pathway to achieve corresponding mid-term targets. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants announced the winners of the "Best Corporate Governance and ESG Awards 2025" today. The awards introduced artificial intelligence for the first time to assist in selecting the shortlist of finalists. The judging panel happily announced that this year's awards will be presented to a record high of 39 listed companies and public organizations, including 9 first-time awardees and 2 recipients of the highest honor, the "Best Sustainable Development Organization Award". This reflects the continuous improvement of corporate governance and ESG standards by listed companies and public organizations, integrating best practices into their values, strategies, and operations. The President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Chairman of the judging panel for the "Best Corporate Governance and ESG Awards 2025", Eric Tong, expressed confidence that the latest amendments to the Listing Rules in the Corporate Governance Code and the Environmental, Social, and Governance Reporting Guide will further encourage companies to provide more extensive, specific, and comprehensive information to investors and stakeholders. As the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) develops sustainable disclosure standards and the gradual implementation of local standards released by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the quality and scope of sustainable reporting are expected to improve in terms of transparency, comparability, and credibility. Meanwhile, the Institute will continue to advocate for good corporate governance and ESG practices and reporting.