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Hong Kong Introduces IFRS-Aligned Sustainability Reporting Standards

The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) has released drafts for new sustainability and climate-related reporting standards, fully aligned with the IFRS Foundation’s International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). These standards are proposed to be effective from August 2025. The initiative follows the Hong Kong government’s vision to develop a robust sustainability disclosure framework for companies, including financial institutions, aligning with global reporting practices. The HKICPA’s proposed standards, HKFRS S1 and S2, mirror IFRS S1 and S2, which were developed by ISSB to offer investors consistent information on companies’ sustainability risks and opportunities. A technical feasibility study conducted in June 2024 supported this alignment. HKICPA President Roy Leung highlighted that these standards will improve the reliability and comparability of sustainability data for investors, while ISSB Vice Chair Jingdong Hua emphasized the benefits of global consistency. The HKICPA is inviting public comments on the drafts until October 27, 2024.