Building a Green and Sustainable Finance Workforce

7 Moreover, financial institutions have called for closer collaboration between academia, regulators, and industry to co-develop practical training programs and internships that reflect real-world GSF challenges. The Enhanced Competency Framework on Green and Sustainable Finance (ECF-GSF), developed by the HKMA in collaboration with the banking industry and administered by the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB), is a direct response to the need for coordinated talent development. It encourages financial institutions to adopt a standardized framework for training and certification, and promotes collaboration across sectors to build a sustainable talent pool. While current frameworks like the ECF-GSF mark significant progress, the pace of talent development remains insufficient to meet the increasingly complex and growing demands of the GSF sector. Continued collaboration across academia, industry, and government will be essential to scale up existing efforts and ensure Hong Kong can meet its long-term GSF talent needs. Exploring Interests of Hong Kong Young Adults in GSF Careers Since January 2021, our research team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been examining the evolving talent landscape in GSF. In December 2022, we published our first comprehensive report on this topic, The Hong Kong Green and Sustainable Finance Talent Development and Strategy , which outlined the talent situation of the GSF sector and proposed a strategic framework for talent development tailored to Hong Kong’s context. As Hong Kong intensifies its efforts to scale up GSF, cultivating a future-ready workforce has become a strategic priority. While foundational infrastructure and policy frameworks are taking shape, the talent pipeline remains underdeveloped – particularly in roles requiring interdisciplinary expertise. Understanding the perspectives of young adults is essential to addressing this gap and ensuring the city’s long-term competitiveness as a financial center. Young adults aged 18 to 25 represent a critical segment of the emerging workforce. Their career interests, awareness, and perceptions of GSF offer valuable insights into current engagement levels and future potential. A strong interest among this group could help alleviate the sector’s talent shortage over time, especially as demand grows for ESG analysis, climate risk assessment, and sustainable investment strategy. To explore these dynamics, we launched a survey in June 2025 targeting young adults in Hong Kong. This report presents the findings, highlighting how respondents perceive careers in GSF, what factors influence their interest or hesitation, and how their awareness and understanding of the sector can be strengthened. These insights aim to inform policymakers, educators, and industry leaders on how to better attract, engage, and prepare the next generation of GSF professionals. In addition, the report offers a set of actionable recommendations to support talent development and address workforce challenges facing Hong Kong’s GSF sector.