On June 17, Dr. Ma Jun, Chairman of the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) and President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS), participated in a high-profile event co-hosted by the China Climate Engagement Initiative (CCEI) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). The event, held in Beijing, brought together influential figures in the field of sustainable finance and climate disclosure, including Mr. Emmanuel Faber, Chairman of ISSB; Vice Chairs Sue Lloyd and Jingdong Hua; other ISSB board members; and representatives from major international and domestic institutional investors. Leaders from global sustainability initiatives such as the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), European Financial Congress (EFC), and FAIRR also joined the discussions.

The event served as a unique platform for fostering dialogue between key stakeholders in sustainability disclosures, including standard-setters and institutional investors. It provided an opportunity to explore the intersection of regulatory developments, investor priorities, and corporate climate transition efforts.

In his opening address, Dr. Ma emphasized the critical role of CCEI in bridging the gap between investors and listed companies, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, as they navigate their climate transition journeys. Since its establishment in 2021 by IFS and China Social Investment Forum (China SIF), CCEI has expanded rapidly to incorporate 30 member institutions, collectively managing over RMB 70 trillion in assets. These efforts have focused on sectors such as mining, cement, agriculture, chemicals, and power, where collaborative engagements have driven improvements in climate-related disclosures and transition planning to align with ISSB standards.

Dr. Ma highlighted the importance of institutional investors in supporting companies through transition finance, urging stronger alignment with international disclosure frameworks. “CCEI’s work reflects a growing recognition of the value of transparent, high-quality climate-related disclosures in driving meaningful climate action at scale,” he noted.

Mr. Faber, Chairman of ISSB, provided an update on the global adoption of ISSB standards, sharing that 36 jurisdictions—including China, have announced plans to incorporate the standards into their regulatory or legal frameworks. This development underscores the importance of international alignment in sustainability reporting. Mr. Faber also reiterated ISSB’s commitment to supporting emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) in adopting these standards.

CASI plans to play a key role in this process. Dr. Ma highlighted that CASI would strengthen its collaboration with ISSB to develop educational programs and expand the dissemination of disclosure-related knowledge to broader audiences, particularly in EMDEs. These initiatives aim to build capacity and promote greater understanding of global sustainability standards among institutional investors and companies.

The discussions at the event underscored the importance of partnerships and knowledge-sharing in advancing sustainability disclosures and transition finance. As regulatory frameworks evolve, initiatives like CCEI and CASI are well-positioned to foster collaboration and deliver practical solutions for companies and investors alike.