ESG Reporting Study for Hong Kong Listed Companies 2024

December 2024

As the global emphasis on sustainable development continues to grow, Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) has become a core component of corporate strategic planning. Companies should actively respond to the requirements of regulatory bodies by integrating ESG concepts into every aspect of their operations, establishing a robust ESG management system, focusing on the identification and management of ESG-related risks, and enhancing their overall ESG performance.

Since the launch of the Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Guide (the ESG Reporting Guide) in 2013, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has continuously reviewed its ESG reporting framework and rules, which facilitate high-quality ESG disclosure by issuers and promote ESG and sustainability commitments of listed companies. Entering the 11th year of the implementation of the ESG Reporting Guide, the ESG information disclosure of Hong Kong listed companies has ushered in an era of mature reporting. The HKEX ESG rules and guidelines have also evolved to become more stringent and sound. In April 2024, HKEX released the Consultation Conclusions on Enhancement of Climate-related Disclosures Under the Environmental, Social and Governance Framework to facilitate the listed companies to prepare for climate-related disclosure requirements based on the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) climate disclosure standards.

Against this backdrop, PwC conducted a study on ESG reports published by Hong Kong listed companies in 2023 and selected a certain amount of Hong Kong listed companies from various industries according to the 12 industries of the Hang Seng Industry Classification System for this in-depth study.

This is the eighth consecutive year that PwC has conducted the ESG reporting study for Hong Kong listed companies. We hope to combine past research data to provide references for listed companies to improve the quality of ESG disclosure, and to prepare and adapt in advance to stricter ESG disclosure standards and requirements.