The Green Council Launches Hong Kong's First Independent“Net Zero Assessment Framework” for Corporates and Organisations

HONG KONG, 20 July 2026 — The Green Council announced the official launch of the “Net Zero Assessment Framework” and “Net Zero Awards for Excellence (NZAfE) 2026”, Hong Kong's pioneering independent awards programme dedicated to assessing the credibility, governance, and quality of corporate net-zero commitments last Friday (17 July 2026). Applications open today and will close in mid-December 2026.

The Launch Ceremony, held at The Rotunda, Exchange Square in Central, brought together key leaders driving Hong Kong's green transition. Officiated by Ir Linda W P Ho, Chief Executive Officer of the Green Council, the event featured a keynote address by Guest of Honour Mr. Yeung Sau Kuen, Sammy, JP, Commissioner for Climate Change at the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the HKSAR Government. Ms. Kelly Lee, Senior Vice President of Policy and Secretariat Services of the Listing Division at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), also delivered a special address. The ceremony culminated in a high-level panel discussion titled "Navigating Hong Kong’s Net Zero Transition," chaired by Prof. Christine Loh, SBS, JP, OBE.

Addressing the Market Gap for Credible Climate Action

As climate disclosure requirements tighten across Hong Kong's listed sector, companies have made a growing number of net-zero pledges. However, the market has historically lacked an independent, locally grounded benchmark to evaluate whether those pledges are supported by credible targets, robust governance, and concrete action. NZAfE was created specifically to fill this gap.

“As climate disclosure expectations tighten across Hong Kong's listed sector, companies increasingly need a third-party benchmark rather than a self-reported claim,” said Ir Linda W P Ho, CEO of the Green Council. “NZAfE provides exactly that—an independent, sector-specific rating that boards, investors, and regulators can point to with confidence.”

Rigorous Assessment and Recognition

To ensure a high standard of evaluation, applications will be assessed by an independent judging panel comprising representatives from academia, the banking sector, professional associations, and independent sustainability experts. The programme features:

• A Two-Part Assessment Framework: Applicants are evaluated against Common Criteria, applied to all companies regardless of industry, and Sector Core Criteria, which are tailored to the distinct decarbonisation challenges of five specific sectors: Property, Infrastructure & Utilities, Financial, Trading & Logistics, and Diversified.

• Three Rating Bands: Based on their assessed performance, companies will be recognised in one of three bands: Net Zero Pioneer (the highest distinction), Net Zero Progress Leader, and Net Zero Commitment. This banded structure is strategically designed to recognise companies at different stages of a credible net-zero journey.

Eligibility and How to Apply

The awards are open to any company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, as well as any private company or multinational subsidiary that publishes a standalone ESG or sustainability report.

The deadline for application submissions is mid-December 2026. The final results and award recipients will be officially announced in early 2027.

Know More: www.nzafe.hk