Hong Kong has provided its first biodiversity loan to Henderson Land Development for green spaces at Central Yards. HSBC and Hang Seng Bank extended the financing, estimated at HK$100 million. The funds will support urban forest management and biodiversity monitoring.
The loan proceeds will fund smart systems to maintain and manage a new urban forest of native plant species. It will also cover surveys, assessments and ongoing monitoring of urban biodiversity at the site.
More than 400 trees and around 280 plant species will be planted across multiple gardens as part of the project.
Matthew Hung, HSBC head of global corporates in Hong Kong, said the financing offers a scalable blueprint for companies to meet sustainability targets. He added that it strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a leading international sustainable finance centre.
A recent HSBC survey found that about 60 per cent of Asian businesses now see climate transition as a key strategic focus.