Green Accelerator

News and events

Launch7 September 2026 · HongKong

Green Accelerator Launches to Unlock Global Capital for Sustainable Projects in Emerging Markets

Hong Kong, 7 September 2026 – The Green Accelerator (GA) made its official debut today at the 2026 Hong Kong Green Finance Association Annual Forum. As a new non-profit platform, the GA is purpose-built to deploy green technologies and philanthropic funding specifically to address the pervasive "bankability gap" that prevents viable green projects in developing countries from securing investment.

Hong Kong, 7 September 2026 – The Green Accelerator (GA) made its official debut today at the 2026 Hong Kong Green Finance Association Annual Forum. As a new non-profit platform, the GA is purpose-built to deploy green technologies and philanthropic funding specifically to address the pervasive "bankability gap" that prevents viable green projects in developing countries from securing investment.

The Accelerator will use philanthropic capital to support project design and preparation, as well as providing technical assistance and capacity building. Its goal is to transform proven green technologies into portfolios of scalable, bankable projects that meet the investment criteria of multilateral development banks (MDBs), sovereign wealth funds, and international commercial banks.

This initiative directly addresses a key bottleneck in climate finance: the fact that only a small fraction of green projects in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) succsefully reach financial close. The GA aims to systematically overcome this challenge by integrating technology sourcing, project preparation, and innovative blended finance solutions. The focus areas of GA’s operation will include energy transition, sustainable food system, circular economy, as well as water and climate resilience, where the lack of bankable project pipelines is a key bottleneck for global financial institutions to deploy capital.

Founding members

The GA has secured commitments from a distinguished coalition of institutions as founding members, listed in alphabetical order:

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Government of the HKSAR
GenZero (Temasek-owned decarbonization investment platform company)
Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS)
Silk Road Fund (SRF)
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)

The initiative has received strong backing from the Hong Kong SAR Government, which supported the establishment of the Green Accelerator in the 2026-27 Budget. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, said: “The Green Accelerator represents another pioneering contribution of Hong Kong to the global drive for green transition. With the support of multiple stakeholders — from multilateral development banks to think tanks, from international financial institutions to innovation flagships — the initiative will bring together worthwhile projects with the capital and technology needed to scale them, thereby strengthening global efforts to channel private capital toward climate solutions in developing countries. At the same time, it will create new opportunities for Hong Kong's financial and professional services sector, while elevating our position as a global hub for green technology and sustainable finance.”

Dr. Ma Jun, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee of the Green Accelerator and President of the IFS, said: "The Green Accelerator will provide incubation, acceleration and empowerment services to green technology projects across developing economies, thereby enhancing their bankability. It also aims to systematically create new, investable green markets in selected Global South countries, by integrating affordable green technologies, developing use cases, and creating the right operating ecosystem for green industries." He added that "the initial stage of green technology deployment in the Global South will also involve setting up demonstration projects in Hong Kong and leveraging its world-class green finance and green technology services."

Mr. Hun Kim, Chief Partnerships Officer, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said: "AllB is delighted to join the Green Accelerator as a Founding Member. Accelerating the deployment of innovative climate and sustainability solutions requires stronger connections between technology providers, project sponsors andinvestors. We look forward to working with the Green Accelerator to identify and showcase green technologies, promote knowledge sharing through platforms such as AllB's InfraTech Portal, and help connect innovative solutions within frastructure development opportunities across our Members."

Riahard Calland, Director of CLSL Africa, said: “CLSL is pleased to join the Green Accelerator as a founding member. We look forward to bringing our independent research, sustainability expertise, and convening capacity to help accelerate credible, responsible climate solutions across emerging markets.”

Frederick Teo, CEO, GenZeroFred, said ““The challenge of climate change is growing. We are short of bankable and commercially viable solutions that can be implemented at scale and within a relevant time frame. The Green Accelerator brings together partners with different capabilities to help promising companies solve real world problems. GenZero looks forward to working with our partners to turn climate solutions into investable assets that can attract financing, achieve scale, and deliver meaningful impact.”

Ms. WANG Li, Head of Risk Management Department, Silk Road Fund, said: “Silk Road Fund is pleased to participate in the Green Accelerator initiative. The global green transition demands more than just capital—it requires bankable projects, proven technologies, and specialized expertise to translate climate ambitions into investable solutions. We look forward to partnering with all relevant stakeholders to deliver high-qualIty green projects and collectively advance a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”

Justin Wu, Head of Sustainability and Climate Change, Asia and Middle East, HSBC, said: “As a founding member of the Green Accelerator, HSBC is helping to scale climate technologies and unlock investment for climate solutions in emerging markets through our capital, expertise and global network.”

About the Green Accelerator

Hosted in Hong Kong, the Green Accelerator is a philanthropy-funded, non-profit platform dedicated to preparing scalable, bankable green projects in developing countries. By deploying cost-effective green technologies and experienced operational teams, the GA aims to unlock global capital for sustainable development in the Global South. A Steering Committee comprising representatives from all founding members will set strategic direction for the initiative.

Our team

Leadership

Dr. MA Jun

Chairman

President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability; Chairman of the Green Finance Committee of the China Society for Finance and Banking, the Hong Kong Green Finance Association, CASI and the Sprinkles Charity Foundation. Formerly Co-Chair of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group and Chief Economist of the People’s Bank of China, with senior roles at Deutsche Bank, the World Bank and the IMF. Dr. Ma led the drafting of China’s first green finance guidelines and standards.

Philip Ng

Chief Technology Officer

Vice Chairman & General Manager of the Green Technology Centre of the Green Development Institute, and Chair of the Greentech Working Group of the GBA Green Finance Alliance. Over 30 years experience in advising companies at various growth stages. Extensive experience in building technology ecosystems across greentech, autotech, retailtech and fintech. Formerly a Partner at KPMG China and National Head of its Technology Sector.

Tracy Wong HARRIS

Chief Investment Officer & Head of Asia Team

Mission-driven sustainable finance executive with 20+ years across Asia and Europe, mobilising institutional capital into bankable portfolios. Advisor to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on private-capital mobilisation and Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association. Former Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance for Asia at Standard Chartered, building execution in 21 markets covering renewables, green buildings, aviation, shipping and industrial decarbonisation. Earlier roles in London and Hong Kong at JPMorgan and other investment banks in structured credit and securitised products. She serves on the Hong Kong Green Building Council board and the FSDC Policy Research Committee.

Rongrong HUO

Chief Sustainability Officer & Head of Africa Team

Over 20 years in international asset management and investment banking, most recently Managing Director and Head of International Business at Ninety One plc. Previously spent 12 years at HSBC, co-founding its Green Finance initiative, co-leading its first green bond, and serving as one of its initial Global Co-Heads of Sustainable Finance. Chairs the international workstream of the City of London’s Green Finance Initiative.

LI Qun

Chief Green Agriculture Specialist

Around 30 years of World Bank experience in agricultural, water and rural development across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, including climate-smart agriculture. Former focal point for World Bank–China agricultural cooperation.

Specialists

ZHAO Lijian

Senior Green Tech Specialist

Director of the Greentech Research & Investment Center at IFS, with over 20 years across energy, climate and greentech incubation. Initiated and manages the Bluetech Carbon Neutrality Awards; former China Country Director of the Carbon Trust.

LIU Feng

Senior Energy & Carbon Markets Specialist

Led the registration of China’s first CDM projects and the development of hundreds of CDM, VCS and CCER projects. Adviser on carbon assets and energy efficiency to the World Bank, ADB, KfW and leading multinationals.

Dr. WEI Anning

Senior Agribusiness Specialist

13 years in international banking — World Bank, Rabobank, and CEO of Fortis Bank China — followed by 15+ years in senior leadership at agricultural groups including New Hope and Dacheng Foods. Leads the Guwang agriculture and food fund.

Richard CALLAND

Senior Africa & Sustainability Expert

30 years in law, politics and sustainability. Emeritus Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town and Director of CISL Africa. Co-chaired a UN Secretary-General-appointed task team on international climate finance.

Malik Abdulrahman NKOBA

Africa Expert

Manager at Axum, advising governments and the private sector across Africa and the Middle East on agriculture, food systems, financial inclusion and climate policy, including carbon trading regulation in Tanzania.

Shelley LYU

Head of Partnership

Specialist in green technology ecosystem development and supply chain decarbonization, with experience building and operating green technology platforms and initiatives for leading enterprises.

Wei Lily LIU

Head of Office

Specialist in green finance, climate policy and the delivery of large-scale international sustainable development initiatives, with deep experience in multilateral secretariat leadership, cross-border collaboration and policy research.

Krysten SONG

ESG Specialist

Specialist in green finance, transition finance and ESG frameworks, with research contributions to the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group and Asian voluntary carbon markets. Holds a Master’s from Imperial College London.

Xiaoshu WANG

Chief Representative, ASEAN Rep Office

Specialist in ESG, climate risk and sustainable finance, with extensive experience in ESG research, sustainable investment and regulatory engagement across APAC. Former Executive Director and Head of APAC ESG & Climate Research at MSCI.

Jackson HUANG

Research Analyst

Jackson Huang specializes in governance, institutional risk analysis, and sustainable policy design, with a particular focus on ESG frameworks and public policy. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at the University of Hong Kong and holds an MSc from the University of Oxford.

Technology solutions

Food & agriculture

Climate-resilient seeds

Drought-, salt- and heat-tolerant seeds for wheat, corn and barley, developed through whole-genome selection, gene editing and precision seed coating — delivering 30–40% water savings and around 15% higher crop yields.