SEC Newgate 2025 Impact Monitor

SEC Newgate
Jan 14
2 min read

Updated: Jan 16

HKSAR public looking for localisation, transparency and stronger ambition for energy transition from businesses, new survey reveals

A survey of more than 20,000 citizens across 20 countries, with 1,028 respondents in Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR), exploring how corporate, political, and social actors are addressing ESG and geopolitical challenges and how their actions influence public perception.
Large businesses in HKSAR are expected to be responsive to stakeholders’ needs and be open and transparent.
Social responsibility actions of large businesses in HKSAR are seen to be lacking by many, although the most common belief is that they are doing about the right amount.

This year marks the evolution from the group’s previous annual ‘ESG Monitor’ to the ‘Impact Monitor’, a shift driven by the realities of a world where global narratives are giving way to local priorities and pressures, and the public is increasingly looking for positive impacts and outcomes.

Overall, a majority claim to be aware of the term “ESG” (57%), and the HKSAR is the second highest country or territory that has a good understanding of what the term actually means (42%), following India (47%). Communities expect businesses to play an active role in addressing environmental and social issues, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of HKSAR respondents feel positive towards energy transition, but enthusiasm softens when these measures would potentially raise consumer costs, revealing the tension organisations must navigate between meaningful impact and affordability.

Governance remains an area where improvement is seemingly needed. About 3 in 10 (29%) of the HKSAR community believe large businesses need to do more to demonstrate ethical conduct and accountability. Listening and responding to the needs of stakeholders and being open and transparent stand out as weak spots, signalling a clear need for better communication and accountability.

Meanwhile, the majority in HKSAR believe businesses should invest and support the local communities in which they operate, even if it has an impact on profitability.

Crucially, the report highlights the importance of framing impact efforts through a local lens. With geopolitical tensions on the rise, there is a growing global preference for businesses to manufacture locally, hire locally and source materials locally, even if it means higher costs for consumers. Communities increasingly link these localised benefits and outcomes to improved perceptions of organisations, reinforcing the need for companies to adapt their strategies to the realities of the markets in which they operate.

To obtain a copy of the Hong Kong Impact Monitor report, the China Impact Monitor report and the media release, please click on the links below:

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