CPTEnglishIntermediate· ESG & Sustainability, Licensing & Regulations

HKEx Environmental Social and Governance Reporting Code

Master the Hong Kong Exchange framework for transparent and compliant ESG reporting

Legal & Compliance 1.75h 58 lessons

What you'll learn

Understand the two-tier disclosure framework comprising mandatory requirements and "comply or explain" provisions
Identify material ESG issues through structured processes and effective stakeholder engagement
Apply reporting principles such as quantitative measurement, balance, and consistency to improve disclosure credibility
Explain the board’s responsibilities in integrating ESG strategy into corporate governance and oversight
Analyze the requirements for climate-related disclosures, including the four core pillars and greenhouse gas emissions reporting
Execute effective ESG reporting boundaries and define clear methodologies for performance indicators
Navigate the relationship between the ESG Reporting Code and the statutory business review in directors' reports

About this course

This course provides an examination of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting Code mandated by the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEx) Listing Rules. For SFC-licensed professionals, understanding this framework is essential for navigating the increasing regulatory scrutiny surrounding corporate sustainability disclosures. As ESG integration becomes a standard expectation within investment mandates and asset management, professionals must be able to evaluate the reliability and compliance status of the reports issued by listed companies. This course outlines the regulatory obligations placed upon issuers and clarifies the intersection between sustainability reporting and the broader corporate governance requirements under the Companies Ordinance.

The curriculum is structured around the two-tiered disclosure framework, which categorizes requirements into mandatory disclosures and 'comply or explain' provisions. Participants will explore the specific governance, reporting boundary, and methodology disclosures required under Part B, alongside the environmental and social aspects detailed in Part C. Special attention is given to the evolving climate-related disclosure requirements under Part D, which align with international sustainability reporting standards and necessitate a heightened level of board oversight and strategic integration.

Through this CPT-accredited program, attendees will develop the technical competence to distinguish between material and non-material ESG factors and understand how to apply reporting principles such as balance, consistency, and quantitative measurement. By examining the relationship between the ESG report and the business review contained within the directors’ report, learners will gain clarity on how to assess the transparency and accountability of disclosures. This educational approach ensures that financial professionals are prepared to interpret ESG data accurately, thereby supporting informed investment decisions and robust risk management practices in line with Hong Kong regulatory expectations.

Who should attend

SFC-licensed representatives and responsible officers
ESG analysts and investment researchers
Corporate compliance and legal counsel
Company secretaries of listed issuers
Institutional portfolio managers
Risk management specialists
Sustainability reporting consultants

Key topics covered

ESG Reporting Framework and Governance

The two-tiered disclosure structure
Mandatory governance and board oversight requirements
Defining reporting boundaries and methodology
Integrating ESG with the directors' report business review
Application of reporting principles: materiality, balance, and consistency

Environmental and Social Disclosure Aspects

Environmental management: emissions, waste, and resource use
Social aspects: employment practices and labor standards
Supply chain management and product responsibility
Anti-corruption policies and compliance
Community investment and stakeholder engagement

Climate-Related Disclosures and International Alignment

Strategic transition to the Part D climate framework
Governance structures for climate-related risks and opportunities
Alignment with international sustainability reporting standards
Interpreting climate-related technical terminology
Quantitative measurement and target-setting for climate metrics

How this course satisfies CPT

This course covers ESG & Sustainability, Licensing & Regulations topics recognised by the SFC as eligible for CPT. Upon completion, you'll earn approximately 1.75 CPT hours and receive a certificate of completion for your training records. The course includes quizzes to verify your understanding, satisfying the SFC's requirement that online learning includes an independent assessment and maintains a reliable audit trail.

Learn more about CPT requirements

Curriculum · 58 lessons

1:59:34.8 of content

1.
Environmental Social and Governance Reporting Code
FREE
2:11
2.
Understanding the ESG Reporting Code Structure
FREE
2:18
3.
The Two-Tiered Disclosure Framework
FREE
2:12
4.
Climate-Related Disclosure Obligations
2:08
5.
ESG Subject Areas and Their Dimensions
2:14
6.
Publication Requirements and Timing
1:58
7.
Materiality as a Reporting Principle
2:10
8.
Quantitative Measurement and Target-Setting
2:02
9.
Balance and Consistency Principles
1:56
10.
Complementing the Directors Report Business Review
2:04
11.
Quiz: Environmental Social and Governance Reporting Code – Complementing the Directors Report Business Review
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
12.
Mandatory Disclosure Governance Structure
1:41
13.
Mandatory Disclosure Reporting Principles
2:01
14.
Mandatory Disclosure Reporting Boundary
1:55
15.
Environmental Aspects Under Comply or Explain
2:04
16.
Aspect A1 Emissions Disclosure Requirements
2:11
17.
Aspect A2 Use of Resources Disclosure Requirements
1:58
18.
Aspect A3 Environment and Natural Resources
2:01
19.
Aspect A4 Climate Change Repealed and Superseded
1:43
20.
Social Aspects Under Comply or Explain
2:28
21.
Aspect B1 Employment Practices
1:46
22.
Quiz: Mandatory Disclosure Governance Structure – Aspect B1 Employment Practices
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
23.
Aspect B2 Health and Safety
2:02
24.
Aspect B3 Development and Training
1:49
25.
Aspect B4 Labor Standards
1:45
26.
Aspect B5 Supply Chain Management
2:10
27.
Aspect B6 Product Responsibility
2:10
28.
Aspect B7 Anti-Corruption
1:48
29.
Aspect B8 Community Investment
2:00
30.
Part D Introduction Climate-Related Disclosure Framework
1:56
31.
Alignment with International Standards
2:29
32.
Defined Terms and Interpretation Guidance
2:34
33.
Quiz: Aspect B2 Health and Safety – Defined Terms and Interpretation Guidance
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
34.
Part D Governance Oversight of Climate Matters
2:12
35.
Part D Strategy Identifying Climate-Related Risks
2:25
36.
Commercial Sensitivity Exemption for Opportunities
1:55
37.
Business Model and Value Chain Effects
1:34
38.
Strategy and Decision-Making Responses
2:10
39.
Current Financial Effects
2:36
40.
Anticipated Financial Effects
1:49
41.
Relief from Quantitative Financial Effects Disclosure
2:04
42.
Climate Resilience Assessment
1:47
43.
Scenario Analysis Requirements and Flexibility
1:55
44.
Quiz: Part D Governance Oversight of Climate Matters – Scenario Analysis Requirements and Flexibility
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
45.
Part D Risk Management Identification Processes
2:03
46.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosure Mandatory
1:42
47.
GHG Emissions Measurement and Disclosure Details
2:11
48.
Scope 3 Measurement Flexibility and Relief
2:21
49.
Asset Vulnerability to Climate Risks
1:57
50.
Capital Deployment Carbon Pricing and Remuneration
2:01
51.
Industry-Based Metrics
1:47
52.
Climate-Related Targets Core Elements
2:11
53.
Target-Setting Approach and Progress Monitoring
2:19
54.
GHG Emissions Targets Enhanced Requirements
2:06
55.
Quiz: Part D Risk Management Identification Processes – GHG Emissions Targets Enhanced Requirements
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons
56.
Carbon Credit Transparency Requirements
2:18
57.
Applicability of Cross-Industry and Industry-Based Metrics
1:56
58.
Practical Compliance Encouraging Work Plans
2:04
59.
Board Responsibility for ESG Strategy Reporting
1:59
60.
Relationship with Existing ESG Reporting Guidance
2:11
61.
Going Beyond Code Requirements
2:11
62.
Large-Cap Mandatory Compliance Timeline
1:36
63.
Key Takeaways for Issuers
2:30.8
64.
Quiz: Carbon Credit Transparency Requirements – Key Takeaways for Issuers
QUIZ
5 questions · requires lessons

Requirements

Basic understanding of corporate governance structures
Familiarity with financial or sustainability reporting concepts
Awareness of Hong Kong Exchange Listing Rules
Interest in corporate transparency and investor relations

Certificate of Completion

Complete this course to earn a verifiable Certificate of Completion for your CPT training record. Here's how:

1Watch all the lessons — work through every lesson in the curriculum. Each completed lesson brings your progress closer to 100%.
2Pass all the quizzes — score 70% or higher in each quiz within the course. Quizzes are part of the curriculum and must be passed to finish.
3Download your certificate — once you reach 100% progress, download a personalised Certificate of Completion showing your name, the CPT hours earned, and your quiz score.

Sample certificate: