ABAC Hong Kong launches study on nature finance and carbon market connectivity across APEC
ABAC Hong Kong announced a research initiative on nature finance and carbon market connectivity during the 2026 APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting. Standard Chartered will lead the study, with GFANZ and HKEX as knowledge partners. Findings are expected in Q3 2027.
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Hong Kong, China, announced on Thursday the launch of a research initiative titled “Mobilising Capital for Nature: An APEC Roadmap for Nature Finance and Carbon Market Connectivity”. Standard Chartered will serve as the lead authoring institution, with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) acting as knowledge partners.
The announcement was made during a side event organised by ABAC Hong Kong alongside the 2026 APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting held in Hong Kong. The project aims to mobilise private capital for nature-positive activities while enhancing carbon market connectivity across APEC economies.
The research will examine the policy, market and financing conditions needed to unlock private capital, focusing on three areas: developing investable nature-related projects; embedding nature considerations into capital-allocation decisions; and using blended finance and catalytic capital to improve project bankability.
Mary Schapiro, vice chair and head of the GFANZ Secretariat, said: “There is no sustainable future without nature. Carbon markets have the potential to play an important role in creating financial incentives for emissions reductions and nature-positive investment. GFANZ looks forward to supporting this research, which will help inform pathways for creating the enabling conditions for private capital to mobilise at scale.”
Mary Huen Wai-yi, ABAC Hong Kong representative and chief executive officer for Hong Kong, Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered, said: “Standard Chartered is pleased to serve as lead author of this ABAC Hong Kong, China research, with GFANZ and HKEX contributing as knowledge partners. Bringing together public- and private-sector perspectives, the research will examine opportunities for greater cooperation across APEC and develop practical recommendations to strengthen nature finance, carbon market connectivity and the enabling conditions for private capital to support nature-positive investment.”
The initiative will support ABAC's sustainable-finance agenda and promote cross-border investment and collaboration on blended finance and carbon markets across APEC economies. The research findings are expected to be released in the third quarter of 2027.
