Clifford Chance has advised Bank of China (Hong Kong) and HSBC as joint lead managers on the issuance of Hong Kong SAR Government’s inaugural retail green bonds under the Government Green Bond Programme. Open for subscription on April 26, the government has more than tripled the offer size for the three-year note to HK$20 billion (US$2.56 billion). The issuance is the largest retail green bond issuance globally to-date.

Lead partner Mark Chan said, “We are delighted and honoured to advise on this historically important, ESG-led market first transaction for Hong Kong. Bringing together our extensive experience leading the world’s most significant ESG finance transactions, the introduction of the largest retail green bond offering to-date represents Hong Kong SAR Government’s commitment to provide a broad spectrum of green finance products, bringing such products to the retail market as well as building the necessary market infrastructure in its development to become an international premier green finance hub.”

Mark was supported by associates George Mok and Christine Chan.