The sustainable debt market in Hong Kong recorded solid growth in the first half of the year, with estimated issuances rising 15 per cent to US$34.3 billion from a year earlier, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said on Wednesday as the city prepared to host the second annual Green Week event.

Kenneth Hui, the authority’s executive director (external), said he hoped the momentum would extend to the second half, noting strong demand from international investors, particularly in Europe and the US.

“Following last year’s significant rise in green debt instruments, this positive trend has continued,” Hui said.

A recent Standard Chartered survey of 1,600 high-net-worth individuals across global markets found that 84 per cent of Hong Kong respondents were willing to invest in high‑emission companies to lower their carbon footprint and align their operations with net‑zero targets.

Emerging and developing Asia requires at least US$1.1 trillion in annual investment for climate mitigation and adaptation, but actual funding falls short by about US$800 billion, the HKMA said.