business · SingTao

Hong Kong Fashion ESG Index Climbs to 65.5 as Sustainable Practices Gain Momentum

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Hong Kong Fashion ESG Index Climbs to 65.5 as Sustainable Practices Gain Momentum

Summary

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has released the 2026 Fashion Industry ESG Index, climbing to 65.5 from 63.3 in 2025. The survey reveals that 61% of exhibitors providing ESG-related products or services reported earning more than 10% in additional profits, while 47% of buyers indicated willingness to pay a green premium of 10% or above. The proportion of fashion businesses considering ESG indispensable in commercial decisions rose to 92%, reflecting growing recognition of sustainable practices as a driver of business value.

Key Points

  • The HKTDC Fashion Industry ESG Index reached 65.5 in 2026, marking a 2.3-point increase from 2025
  • Three sub-indices all improved: Environmental at 64.3, Social at 67, and Governance at 66.1
  • Sixty-one percent of exhibitors offering ESG products or services earned 10% or more in additional profits
  • Forty-seven percent of ESG product buyers expressed willingness to pay a green premium exceeding 10%
  • The share of fashion businesses treating ESG as an essential consideration rose from 85% to 92% year-on-year
  • Forty-five percent of mainland China respondents deemed ESG "very important," a 27-percentage-point surge

Why It Matters

This index signals that ESG has evolved from a compliance requirement to a genuine competitive advantage in Hong Kong's fashion sector. As more enterprises integrate sustainability into their core strategies and reap measurable financial returns, Hong Kong is strengthening its position as Asia's leading hub for sustainable fashion and green investment opportunities.
This index signals that ESG has evolved from a compliance requirement to a genuine competitive advantage in Hong Kong's fashion sector. As more enterprises integrate sustainability into their core strategies and reap measurable financial returns, Hong Kong is strengthening its position as Asia's leading hub for sustainable fashion and green investment opportunities.