The European Commission has announced that it has officially set the first price for certificates under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), marking a concrete step in what has until now been largely a compliance and reporting exercise for exporters targeting the EU market. As of the first quarter of 2026, CBAM certificates are priced at €75.36 per tonne of CO2 emitted for goods covered by the scheme.

As the global economy accelerates toward net-zero and inclusive growth, the GBA stands out as a powerhouse of deep-tech innovation. Yet many early-stage start-ups face a difficult transition from university research to commercial scale, grappling with extended R&D timelines, substantial capital requirements, and fragmented markets. By strategically positioning Hong Kong as a "Nexus" – a dynamic super-connector bridging the GBA's R&D muscle with emerging opportunities in ASEAN and Middle East - Gobi systematically embeds ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria throughout the investment lifecycle. This creates resilient, high-growth companies that deliver both strong financial returns and measurable positive impact.

Guangdong’s provincial government has announced plans to accelerate the development of multiple hi-tech industrial frontiers over the period 2026-2030.

Following impressive domestic development, the Chinese Mainland’s environmental protection sector has an ambitious global agenda.

The Chinese Mainland’s environmental protection sector is embracing intelligent digital innovations as it prioritises meeting soaring demand.

On 26 February 2026, Directive (EU) 2026/470 was published in the Official Journal. The new Directive reshapes the EU framework for corporate sustainability reporting and corporate sustainability due diligence. It amends several existing directives, with the stated aim of reducing reporting burdens and enhancing competitiveness, while preserving the core objectives of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Finance Action Plan.

To implement arrangements set out in Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Environmental Protection Equipment Manufacturing Industry and to accelerate the R&D and application of advanced environmental protection technologies and equipment, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly released the Catalogue of Major Environmental Protection Technologies and Equipment Encouraged by the State for Development (2025 Version) on 18 December. The latest version superseded the 2023 edition on the same day.

The European Commission has launched a formal evaluation of the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), a landmark measure which is aimed at reducing plastic pollution and marine litter. This evaluation, running until the third quarter of 2027, will assess whether the Directive remains fit for purpose and how it may need to evolve. For Hong Kong businesses operating in plastics, packaging, fishing gear, waste management, consumer goods, or related supply chains, the process is highly relevant and could shape future regulatory requirements.

The European Commission published guidance on 8 January 2026 clarifying the possible future use of a new safeguard provision, Article 27a, proposed as part of an amendment to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This draft provision, first presented by the Commission in December 2025, is intended to address situations in which the application of CBAM could cause severe disruption to the EU internal market as a result of serious and unforeseen price effects. The guidance explains both the policy rationale behind Article 27a and the practical consequences that could follow if and when it is adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.

Less than 1% of clothing globally is recycled into new garments, with millions of tonnes landfilled each year. ZALORA, a fashion and lifestyle e-commerce platform, expands its circular economy initiatives through eco-friendly collections, sustainable packaging, low-carbon delivery and clothing take-back programmes. Anthony Fung, CCO of ZALORA, shared with HKTDC Research on how an online fashion platform pursues sustainability goals through distinctive business strategies and consumer programmes.