FOREIGN NEWS
May-June. 2026 | @ green
FOREIGN NEWS
19
HKGSA AWARD 2026:
Retailers are invited to submit their entries for the annual awards celebrating sustainability and innovation.
Sustainability reshapes Hong Kong retail
HONG Kong is advancing sustainability in its retail sector with the launch of the Hong Kong Green Shop Alliance( HKGSA) Award 2026, which recognises measurable environmental progress among malls, retailers, and food and beverage operators.
Launched by the Hong Kong Green Building Council( HKGBC), the award marks a shift in how sustainability is implemented in retail. Instead of viewing ESG as a branding tool, the initiative focuses on tangible outcomes such as energy optimisation, waste reduction, carbon management, and long-term operational capability.
The timing is significant. Globally, retail faces stricter environmental standards, greater investor scrutiny, and changing consumer behaviour.
In Hong Kong, this has led to a more structured approach to sustainability, with performance now formally evaluated and publicly recognised.
This year, the HKGSA Award 2026 introduces new categories, including the Special Recognition Award, Active Participation Award, and Most Engaged Green Mall or Shop Practitioner Award. These join existing categories such as Green Mall of the Year, Green Shop of the Year, and Collaborative Project of the Year.
The expanded framework reflects a shift: sustainability is now recognised not only through major achievements and ongoing participation, but also through measurable progress. This approach acknowledges that retail transformation is uneven and that sustained engagement is as important as landmark initiatives.
Submission for the 2026 cycle will be evalu- ated on initiatives implemented between Aug 1, 2024, and Jun 30, 2026. Criteria include energy efficiency, waste management, carbon reduction, and overall ESG performance.
The programme also encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing, reinforcing that sustainability improvements are often systemic.
The Hong Kong Green Shop Alliance has grown into a network of more than 1,200 members, spanning developers, shopping malls, retailers, and industry partners. This expansion illustrates a rising recognition that ESG alignment is becoming embedded within the operational logic of the retail sector, rather than remaining peripheral to it.
More broadly, the award programme shows how sustainability is being institutionalised through frameworks that reward both innovation and consistency.
This positions Hong Kong ' s retail industry within a regional trend in which ESG performance serves as both a competitive differentiator and a compliance requirement.
As global retail adapts to environmental and regulatory pressures, initiatives like the HKGSA Award 2026 demonstrate how cities are turning sustainability goals into industry standards. For Hong Kong, green retail is becoming the operational baseline.
MEKAR advances sustainable finance globally
PT Mekar Investama Teknologi has reached an international milestone by receiving three global recognitions for its commitment to sustainable finance, inclusive growth, and real economic impact in Indonesia.
At the FinanceAsia Awards 2026, MEKAR received the Best Strategic Initiative in the Non-Bank Financial Institutions category in Indonesia. This award recognises the company ' s innovative efforts to improve access to finance, especially for underserved groups.
MEKAR also earned a Highly Commended distinction for Biggest Sustainable Impact, highlighting its measurable role in advancing long-term social and economic development.
MEKAR was also named Best ESG Ecosystem Platform at the WRISE Volare Awards 2026. This award highlights the company ' s
Leadership in Action: MEKAR Chief Operating Officer Mahwi Winarto( left) and Chief Executive Officer Pandu Aditya Kristy( right) receive the company ' s awards at the FinanceAsia Awards 2026 in Hong Kong. effective integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance( ESG) principles into its business model and its leadership in sustainable finance.
MEKAR ' s success is driven by its " MEKAR Ecosystem " approach, which connects financing to real-economy sectors such as agriculture, MSMEs, and renewable energy. This model stimulates grassroots economic growth and encourages responsible investment.
MEKAR ' s model also promotes financial inclusion by expanding access to credit for rural and underserved communities and empowering entrepreneurs who are often excluded from traditional financial systems.
These recognitions reinforce MEKAR ' s growing influence in Southeast Asia ' s sustainable finance ecosystem. The company continues to show how technology-driven financial solutions can deliver long-term value for economic development and social progress, aligning innovation with sustainability goals. – @ green