Sustainability & ESG

Sustainable Finance

Japan to Widen Green Bond Scope Amid Issuance Slowdown

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/05/2026

Tokyo plans to revise its green bond guidelines to include a broader range of technologies, responding to a downturn in climate-related fundraising.

Sustainable Finance

Cathay United Bank Joins MAS-Backed Green Investment Partnership

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/05/2026

Cathay United is the first bank from Taiwan to join the blended finance platform, which aims to fund sustainable infrastructure in Asia and is expected to reach USD 800 million.

Sustainable Finance

MAS Led Green Fund Hits $800m, Taxonomy Review Underway

By Nithya Subramanian | 22/05/2026

The regulator announced new funding milestones for its blended finance initiative and has commenced a review of its green and transition taxonomy for key sectors.

Climate Risk

Singapore’s First National Adaptation Plan to Focus on Risk Assessment

By Nithya Subramanian | 21/05/2026

Singapore’s government is preparing a national framework to identify climate adaptation risks, alongside a new initiative by DBS and the CBI to mobilise private capital for adaptation projects

Operational Risk

India’s FinMin Mandates Austerity for State-Run Financial Institutions

By Nithya Subramanian | 21/05/2026

The finance ministry has ordered public sector banks and insurers to cut travel and switch to EVs, following a prime ministerial call for austerity.

Reporting & Disclosures

Shenzhen Exchange to Revamp ChiNext Indices, Adds ESG Screen

By Mark Johnston | 20/05/2026

The move will create a new tiered system of large, mid and small-cap indices and introduce new exclusion rules for ESG and risk-flagged stocks.

Climate Risk

Vietnam Finalises Supervisory Framework for Carbon Market

By Nithya Subramanian | 20/05/2026

The finance ministry has issued rules on transaction monitoring and reporting for the country's forthcoming domestic carbon credit exchange.

Reporting & Disclosures

ASIC Sets Financial Reporting, Audit and Sustainability Focus for 2026–27

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/05/2026

ASIC will focus on asset impairment, auditor independence, and the first wave of sustainability reports in its upcoming surveillance activities for the new financial year.

Reporting & Disclosures

ASIC Flags Key Deficiencies in First Mandatory Climate Reports

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/05/2026

ASIC has published early observations on the first mandatory sustainability reports, highlighting several areas where entities are falling short of new requirements.