Business and Capital Markets Discuss ISSB Implementation and Long-Term Value Creation

Business and Capital Markets Discuss ISSB Implementation and Long-Term Value Creation

On 21 August 2026, the third Greater Bay Area Green Finance and Sustainability Forum and Outstanding Sustainability Disclosure List Launch, jointly organised by the China Development Institute and Alaya Consulting (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., concluded successfully at the China Development Institute. The event brought together representatives from listed companies, investment institutions, capital markets service providers and the sustainability sector to discuss corporate sustainability practices, capital markets communication and long-term value creation, while recognising companies and organisations for outstanding performance in these areas.

Under the theme “Implementing ISSB in the Greater Bay Area: From Disclosure Compliance to Corporate Value Creation”, the event featured keynote speeches, a panel discussion and an awards ceremony, promoting dialogue and cooperation among Greater Bay Area companies, Hong Kong capital markets participants and professional service providers.

In his opening remarks, Mr Tony Wong, founder of Alaya Consulting and the Hong Kong ESG Reporting Awards, outlined the background and core principles of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). He emphasised that ISSB implementation should be viewed as more than a reporting or disclosure exercise: its deeper purpose is to help companies connect governance, strategy, risk management, financial impacts and capital markets communication.

1. Focus on ISSB Implementation in the Greater Bay Area: From Disclosure Compliance to Corporate Value Creation

Mr Wong said: “The focus of ISSB is not simply to require companies to disclose more information, but to provide information that is truly useful to investors and relevant to a company’s financial prospects and long-term value. Implementing ISSB is also a process of reassessing governance mechanisms, risk management, the foundations of corporate data and strategic resilience.”

The panel discussion brought together perspectives from Hong Kong and mainland A-share markets, state-owned investment institutions, listed companies and capital markets professional service providers. It explored how companies can turn sustainability information into capital markets trust, strategic resilience and long-term corporate value. Panellists from Luxshare Precision, Guohe Investment, Ever Bloom and Rongda International shared their views on implementation within companies, investor needs, investor relations communication, Hong Kong capital markets practices and cross-border disclosure.

2. The Essentials of Corporate ISSB Implementation: Governance, Data and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Participants noted that, as sustainability disclosure becomes more standardised, financially relevant and investor-focused, the greatest challenge for companies is no longer merely how to prepare a report, but how to establish the necessary internal management mechanisms.

For large listed companies and industrial groups, high-quality sustainability disclosure typically involves the board of directors, senior management, finance, strategy, operations, the board office, investor relations and sustainability teams. Companies need to designate a lead department, define responsibilities, establish consistent data definitions, internal controls and review processes, and engage business units and subsidiaries throughout the organisation.

The discussion also highlighted areas that may be both priorities and challenges in ISSB implementation: identifying climate-related risks and opportunities, greenhouse gas emissions data, supply chain information, scenario analysis, transition plans and the quantification of financial impacts. Companies should begin collecting information before the report preparation stage, conduct gap analyses early, identify material sustainability risks and opportunities affecting long-term corporate value, and develop phased implementation roadmaps.

3. Unveiling the List and Building a Collaborative Platform for the Sustainability Sector

The launch of the Outstanding Sustainability Disclosure List was a key part of the forum. The awards recognise companies’ achievements in sustainability, ESG practices, corporate governance and other relevant award categories, and encourage more market participants to integrate sustainability into corporate strategy and daily operations.

Mr Wong said: “HERA 2026 recognises outstanding companies and organisations while also providing a platform that connects businesses, investors and professional service providers. Through knowledge sharing and industry collaboration, we hope to help companies transform sustainability from a disclosure requirement into management capabilities and a lasting competitive advantage.”

The successful conclusion of the 2026 Greater Bay Area Green Finance and Sustainability Forum and Outstanding Sustainability Disclosure List Launch further strengthened exchanges among Greater Bay Area companies, Hong Kong capital markets participants, investment institutions and professional service providers. The organisers will continue to build platforms for cross-sector cooperation, advancing sustainability disclosure, corporate value creation and high-quality capital markets development.

2026 HERA 大湾区优秀披露榜单