ESG

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is not only the leading provider of green loans in China, but also the top issuer among Chinese banks of green bonds in the international markets, and the most active of the Chinese banks in collaborating with domestic and international agencies to advance the development of green finance, both at home and abroad.

Debut green bond is part of a wider attempt by the government to encourage the development of green financing in the city.

Asian companies are facing a difficult balancing act between pursuing growth and doing good – those that get it right will please analysts and investors.

View the results of the 2018 Asiamoney awards for green finance in China here

Once one of the world’s worst offenders in terms of industrial pollution, China is changing its ways, not least by becoming a leader in issuing green bonds.

Ma Xianfeng is dedicated to the development of green finance in China. The director of the Research Centre of the China Securities Regulatory Commission has also served tirelessly as the deputy director of the central bank-linked Green Finance Committee.

Last year, China’s State Council designated five regions where the central government will work with local authorities to build green finance reform and innovation pilot areas; Xinjiang in western China stands out among these.

With the rise of green finance in China has come the rise of onshore green accreditation agencies. The leader among the domestic firms is Beijing Zhongcai Green Financing Consultant, which was spun off from the Green Bonds and Research Institute of China Central Political and Law University. Zhongcai’s director of green bond business is Hanke Zhang.

When it comes to green finance verification in China, Ernst & Young Hua Ming stands out, and this is in part due to the fact that the global audit firm has invested in talent under managing partner Jack Chan.