Environmental, social and governance (ESG) jobs in Hong Kong could command salary premiums of more than 30% as companies strive to meet their sustainability targets and tackle climate change, reports The South China Morning Post, citing research from recruitment firms. According to Hays, with increasing demand for ESG and sustainability expertise in Hong Kong, local talents can expect salary increments of over 30% when switching jobs, while those relocating to the city from overseas can expect even higher salary increases and potential expat benefits.

All of the nearly 2,500 Hong Kong-listed companies are required to publish annual sustainability reports on their ESG performance alongside mandatory periodic financial reports. Meanwhile, Paddy Balfour, executive director of Asia for sustainability recruitment firm Acre, said that ‘particularly around the compliance and consulting side of ESG, hiring has been particularly strong’. John Mullally, managing director of Robert Walters in Hong Kong added that over the past two years, there has been around a 25% increase in the amount of hiring for ESG roles in Hong Kong.

“Relevant skills and knowledge of ESG reporting, climate change and carbon emissions are of high interest to companies when making ESG-related hires,” said Martin Xiang, principal in Heidrick & Struggles Hong Kong.