Hong Kong’s path to achieving its green finance ambitions is being challenged by a lack of talent, according to a recent survey from a local university.
In a survey with top financial executives, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) found that approximately 80 percent of respondents said it hiring talents for green and sustainable finance was most difficult than other job functions.
Amongst sustainable finance professionals, individuals with an environmental science academic background were the most sought after for hiring.
Talent + Regulations
While the survey stated that regulatory clarity was key – almost 90 percent said that disclosure regulation was the most pressing issue – it noted that human capital was a necessary prerequisite for Hong Kong to achieve its sustainability ambitions.
«Regulation promotes market function, but only if adequate human capital is available to service the increasingly complex policies and requirements,» the survey said.
The HKUST survey was conducted with 55 senior financial executives alongside interviews with some respondents.
