[Hong Kong, 20 October 2026] CCX Green Finance International (CCXGFI) has been named among the first cohort of Recognised Reviewers for the Green Equity Designation Programme, as officially released by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). The HKEX Green Equity Framework took effect on 20 October 2026. Developed with reference to the Green Equity Principles of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the Framework is open to companies listed on HKEX as well as listing applicants, filling the gap of a standardised tool for identifying green entities in Hong Kong's equity market and further strengthening Hong Kong's standing as an international green finance centre.
The Green Equity Designation is an innovation that extends international sustainable finance from the bond market to the equity market, following the development of green bonds. Hong Kong's 2026 Policy Address expressly stated that HKEX would introduce a "Green Equity Designation Scheme"; the Framework's entry into force and the publication of the first cohort of reviewers mark the official implementation of this policy initiative.
Unlike a second party opinion (SPO) for bonds, which focuses on the use of proceeds of a single financing, the Green Equity Designation provides a holistic, entity-level assessment: green business activities are classified following a tiered sequence of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, the Chinese Mainland's Green Finance Endorsed Project Catalogue or the EU Taxonomy, and other recognised international taxonomies, and stringent quantitative thresholds apply — no less than 50% of revenue derived from green activities, no less than 50% of investment (capital and operating expenditure combined) allocated to green activities, and both fossil-fuel-related revenue and investment below 5% — while the applicant's compliance with environmental, social and governance requirements is also reviewed. To apply, a company must engage a Recognised Reviewer from the official list to conduct an independent assessment and issue an assessment report. The designation is granted by Hong Kong Green Designation Limited (HKGDL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HKEX; it is valid for one year and subject to annual reassessment for renewal, and designation results and assessment reports will be published on the HKGDL Resource Hub. Companies not yet listed (including pre-IPO applicants) may also apply for a provisional designation and, upon listing, obtain HKGDL's official confirmation in accordance with the relevant requirements.
In terms of applicants, both HKEX-listed companies and pre-IPO or other non-listed companies stand to benefit. In light of the Framework's quantitative thresholds, the following types of companies are particularly well suited: first, "pure green" companies with a high share of green revenue, including wind, solar and other renewable energy power generators, companies across the new energy vehicle, power battery and charging infrastructure value chains, and companies in energy conservation and environmental protection, water and solid waste treatment, green building and clean transportation; second, companies whose capital and operating expenditure are predominantly directed to green activities and which are in an expansion phase of low-carbon transition; and third, green companies preparing for a Hong Kong IPO, which may apply for a provisional designation during IPO preparation and have it converted into an official designation upon listing, making their "green identity" part of their listing narrative. Companies operating across the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas markets may also complete the assessment under the Framework's tiered taxonomy rules, so that a single set of green accounting results can serve green financing needs across the Hong Kong, Mainland and international markets.
The HKEX Green Equity is a voluntary designation framework, designed as a trusted way to identify companies making a meaningful contribution to the transition to a low-carbon future. Building on this, its implementation is expected to deliver positive impact on multiple fronts. For Hong Kong, it complements the city's well-established sustainable bond and loan market, ESG disclosure requirements and other sustainable finance infrastructure, and will continue to support Hong Kong's development as an international centre for sustainable finance and promote the adoption and integration of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance into capital markets practices. For companies, the designation serves as a standardised, exchange-endorsed green "entry ticket": it helps them enter the sustainable equity universes of overseas pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other long-term institutional investors that apply strict screening rules, and turns their green narratives from "self-statements" into facts verified by independent third parties, reducing information asymmetry and building credible green brand reputation. The assessment process is also a systematic look-through review of a company's green business, and its findings and data can directly support ESG reports and climate-related disclosures, align with the adoption of the ISSB Standards, and reduce the time and cost of cross-border green financing. For investors, built on quantitative thresholds and independent third-party review, the designation enhances the visibility and transparency of designated companies, strengthens investor confidence, and provides a standardised, verifiable reference for identifying companies engaged in environmentally sustainable economic activities, helping to guard against greenwashing risks.
CCXGFI has long ranked first in the second party opinion (SPO) market for Chinese offshore green bonds. With deep experience in green bond and sustainability bond assessment and certification for Hong Kong-listed companies and Chinese issuers expanding overseas via Hong Kong, and well versed in the three mainstream green taxonomies of Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the European Union, it offers full-chain capabilities spanning debt-side green assessment and equity-side green entity designation. Leveraging the synergy between its equity and debt assessment capabilities, CCXGFI provides Hong Kong-listed companies, pre-IPO applicants and other non-listed companies with full-process services — including classification of business activities, measurement of green revenue, green investment and fossil-fuel exposure, and ESG compliance review — and issues assessment reports that meet HKEX's requirements.
Mr. Yang Junhao, CEO of CCXGFI, said: "The HKEX Green Equity extends the application of green taxonomies from the bond market to the equity market, completing an important piece of Hong Kong's sustainable finance toolkit. With our long-standing track record in offshore green bond SPOs and ESG services for Hong Kong-listed companies, being admitted to HKEX's first cohort of Recognised Reviewers is both a market opportunity and a profound responsibility. We will fully leverage our integrated equity and debt assessment strengths to deliver credible and comparable professional assessment outcomes for Hong Kong issuers and global investors, supporting the high-quality development of Hong Kong's sustainable finance ecosystem."
About China Chengxin Green Finance International (CCXGFI)
China Chengxin Green Finance International (CCXGFI) is the sustainable finance platform established in Hong Kong by China Chengxin Group and one of the earliest institutions in China to provide third-party green finance assessment. It has long ranked first in the SPO market for Chinese offshore green bonds, with a market share exceeding 40%. It is the first Chinese institution accredited as an external reviewer under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Green and Sustainable Finance Grant Scheme, and an Approved Verifier of the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI). Its services cover green bond and loan SPO assessments, ESG disclosure for Hong Kong-listed companies, ESG rating and assurance, carbon and sustainability certification, and integrated cross-border sustainable finance solutions, serving Hong Kong-listed companies, Chinese companies expanding overseas and international financial institutions, and continuing to support Hong Kong's development as an international sustainable finance hub.
