Asia-Pacific Climate Summit (ACS) 2026: 7-9 July in Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China

The IETA Asia Climate Summit (ACS) returned in 2026 – bringing the region’s leading carbon market and climate policy forum to Hong Kong for the first time.

Organised by IETA, in collaboration with the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP), and co-hosted by Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC), and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), ACS2026 convened senior leaders from business, government, finance, and civil society to shape the next phase of carbon markets across Asia. The Summit on 7-9 July combined regional insights with global perspectives, focusing on how market-based solutions can drive credible climate action, investment, and sustainable growth.

Through high-level plenaries and expert-led discussions, participants will gain practical insights into evolving regulations, emerging market mechanisms, and the infrastructure needed to scale effective carbon markets. ACS offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with the policymakers, investors, and innovators influencing Asia’s climate and carbon market pathways.

Key themes included:

• CBAM: Understanding Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms and their regional implications
• CORSIA: Advancing aviation decarbonisation and global climate commitments
• Article 6: Enabling market integration and cross-border cooperation
• Carbon pricing and taxes: Strengthening incentives and real-economy impact
• Voluntary carbon markets: Scaling high-integrity credits that deliver measurable outcomes
• Digital infrastructure: Leveraging interoperable data, MRV, and verification technologies to support transparent, efficient markets