Building a Green and Sustainable Finance Workforce

INTRODUCTION 6 9. Global Association of Risk Professionals. (2024). Global Risk Careers Survey Report 2024 . 10. ACCA. (2025, May). Global Talent Trends 2025 . 11. Hong Kong Monetary Authority. (2025, February 6). Cross-Agency Steering Group sets 2025 priorities to support growth of sustainable finance in Hong Kong. 12. Alpha HR. Summary of Talent Trends and Job Market Outlook in Hong Kong for 2025 . 13. HKUST Business School. (2022, December). The Hong Kong Green and Sustainable Finance Talent Development and Strategy . 14. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme . Despite these efforts, a significant talent gap persists. A 2024 survey by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) found that over 70% of financial institutions worldwide struggle to find qualified candidates for sustainability-related roles, citing a lack of interdisciplinary education and limited practical experience as key barriers.9 This shortage is particularly acute in specialized areas such as climate risk modeling, ESG data analytics, and sustainable investment strategy. According to ACCA’s Global Talent Trends Survey 2025 , 67% of finance professionals are interested in sustainability-focused careers, with nearly half of leadership roles below board level already incorporating ESG responsibilities.10 However, less than one-third of respondents report having access to green skills training within their organizations, underscoring the need for more inclusive and future-oriented workforce development strategies. As the green economy continues to grow, the ability to attract, train, and retain talent will be a defining factor in the success of GSF initiatives worldwide. Addressing the green skills gap through coordinated policy, education, and industry engagement is essential to building a workforce capable of supporting the transition to a sustainable financial future. The Hong Kong Context: An Emerging Hub Facing a Talent Shortfall Hong Kong has declared its commitment to become a leading hub for green and sustainable finance in Asia. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) have jointly launched the Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group, which in 2025 outlined key priorities including the development of a sustainability disclosure ecosystem, a green fintech map, and a transition finance knowledge hub.11 These efforts align Hong Kong with global standards, and enhance its positioning among other regional centers like Singapore and Tokyo, who are rapidly advancing their GSF capabilities. Yet, the city faces a critical talent shortfall. Financial institutions in Hong Kong are struggling to recruit professionals with expertise in green bond structuring, ESG fund management, and climate-related financial analysis.12 This shortage is further amplified by the limited availability of interdisciplinary training programs and low awareness among young professionals about career pathways in GSF. Industry leaders have expressed concern that without a robust talent pipeline, Hong Kong risks falling behind in implementing climate-aligned financial strategies and meeting international disclosure requirements.13 To address this, the Hong Kong government launched the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme, allocating HKD 200 million to subsidize training for both current and prospective practitioners.14 The scheme supports students, recent graduates, and industry professionals in acquiring relevant certifications and skills. However, uptake remains modest, and the talent pipeline is still insufficient to meet the growing demand. While some universities have begun integrating ESG and climate finance modules into business and finance curricula, these efforts are still in early stages and lack the scale needed to drive systemic change.