Advancing in a Changing World

Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2023

Our CSR Pillars

Our Markets

Capital markets have a crucial role to play in advancing the global sustainability and ESG agenda. To continuously support the development of the sustainable finance ecosystem, we are active in promoting high corporate governance standards and ESG transparency and providing platforms connecting capital with sustainability-related opportunities.

Our People

We believe that the success of our business depends on the success of our people and the communities in which we operate. To facilitate our collective success, we continuously invest in our employees’ professional and personal development, foster a diverse and inclusive culture, and endeavour to make a positive contribution to our communities.

Our Operations

We recognise that our responsibilities go beyond our walls and that we have a big influence on the markets and communities in which we operate. We are committed to pursuing operational excellence and setting a good example to our wider community – so that our business, partners and communities can all prosper.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange CEO Alejandro Nicolas Aguzin speaking at Core Climate, the new carbon marketplace.

Building Climate Resilience with Transparency

The Exchange has been continuously upgrading its ESG reporting framework to improve Hong Kong’s ESG transparency and align with the latest international developments and stakeholder expectations.

In April 2023, the Exchange launched a consultation seeking market feedback on enhancing climate-related disclosures under the existing ESG framework, which marked an important milestone in facilitating issuers’ transition towards the adoption of the IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures Standard in Hong Kong. To facilitate a better understanding of climate-related information and the standardisation of these data, we also hosted an ESG Academy – Navigating Climate-related Disclosures seminar, discussing the proposed climate-related requirements.

Read more Consultation Paper on Enhancing Climate-related Disclosure Climate-related Disclosures Seminar Replay

Business professionals participating in an ESG Academy Webinar with a focus on Corporate Governance, hosted by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Promoting Physical and Mental Wellness

As part of our commitment to our people, we view physical and mental wellness as an integral part of our overall health, productivity and quality of life. In 2023, we once again hosted our group-wide Global Wellness Challenge in the summer, encouraging employees to run, swim, cycle and walk in name of physical and mental well-being. As part of the campaign, we hosted our inaugural Wellness Marketplace, offering experiences and tips on physical, mental and financial wellness. To celebrate World Mental Health Day, we partnered with two leading financial institutions in Hong Kong to co-host an employee event, focusing on the importance of mental health and on how to build an inclusive workplace.

A man pushing an adult in a wheelchair down a path.

Driving Deeper Impact

Deeply rooted in where we operate, we believe that the role we play is crucial to the prosperity of our markets and wider community. We help to address the social and environmental issues impacting our society and the planet in an array of ways. Through HKEX Foundation, our dedicated philanthropic arm, we continued to expand our community outreach and create long-lasting impact to build a better future for us all. Since launching in 2021, the HKEX Impact Funding Scheme has grown in scale, expanding our long-term impact on our society and the environment. The Scheme aims to support small-scale and non-subvented charitable institutions and social enterprises, helping them deliver innovative solutions for our local community.

Read more Project Highlights from HKEX Impact Funding Scheme

Hong Kong Stock Exchange Chairman, Mrs Laura May-Lung CHA, speaking at Impact Summit.

Driving Supply Chain Sustainability

While acting responsibly and professionally in our own operations is important, operational excellence also requires us to take a prudent approach to suppliers and third-party business partners. During 2023, we continued to maintain a responsible and ethical supply chain that supports corporate responsibility and creates long-term value through policies and guidelines. We also manage risks stemming from third-party vendors seriously with our Third Party Risk Management Policy. To support local communities and promote diversity in our supply chain, we worked with local suppliers and established business partnerships to create opportunities for all. For example, during our annual Christmas celebration, we welcomed NGOs and social enterprises, dedicated to supporting people in need and promoting environmental awareness, to showcase their products at Connect Hall.

Our Net-zero Journey

Tackling climate change is the most pressing task of our time. While policy makers, scientists, corporates and individual citizens have made considerable efforts to progress the climate agenda, the transition to net zero cannot be achieved without contribution from capital markets, investors, sustainable businesses and technology. As an international exchange operator, market regulator and public company, we see ourselves as a change agent in the fight against climate change, driving the promotion and adoption of sustainable and climate-related best practices across our business, operations and markets.