Building a Green and Sustainable Finance Workforce

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As global awareness of climate risks and sustainability grows, green and sustainable finance (GSF) has become a vital mechanism for aligning financial systems with environmental and social goals. Hong Kong, as a leading international financial center, is actively positioning itself as a regional hub for GSF by expanding its talent pool and strengthening its GSF capabilities. This study, conducted from November 2024 to July 2025, explores the career interests of young adults in Hong Kong regarding the GSF sector, with the aim of informing policies and strategies to attract, engage, and prepare the next generation of professionals. Based on a survey of over 4,000 respondents aged 18 to 25, the findings reveal strong interest in GSF careers, driven by personal values, environmental concerns, and aspirations for meaningful work. However, barriers such as limited exposure, unclear career pathways, and insufficient training opportunities persist. Key Findings: 1. High Awareness but Mixed Understanding 73.8% of respondents have heard of GSF, but only 34.8% demonstrated a strong conceptual understanding, with many holding misconceptions such as associating GSF solely with renewable energy. 2. Social Media as the Leading Information Source Information sources are diverse, with social media (48.2%) cited as the most common source for GSF information, followed by financial news websites (41.7%) and government/ regulatory websites (30.3%), highlighting the need for multi-channel outreach. 3. Positive Attitudes Toward GSF and Environmental Issues Over 60% of respondents expressed interest in GSF topics and willingness to change behavior for climate action, indicating strong alignment between personal values and sustainability goals. 4. Strong Interest in GSF Careers 65.8% of respondents are interested in working in the GSF sector, and 61.3% are actively exploring related job opportunities. Top motivators include personal interest in sustainability (63.4%) and concern for environmental issues (55.1%). 5. Barriers to Entry Include Knowledge and Skills Gaps Among those not interested in GSF careers, 45.5% cited insufficient understanding of the sector, and 33.6% reported lacking relevant skills or experience, pointing to the need for targeted education and training.