SynTao Green Finance

What SynTao Green Finance does

SynTao Green Finance (商道融绿) is a Beijing-headquartered, privately-held ESG data and advisory firm providing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings, analytics, and consulting services primarily to financial institutions, asset managers, banks, insurers, listed companies, bond issuers, and regulators operating in China. The firm operates a B2B, sales-led go-to-market focused on integrating ESG factors into investment management and sustainable finance workflows.

The company's core technology stack centers on its proprietary ESG rating methodology launched in 2015, structured around 14 key ESG issues, more than 200 ESG indicators, more than 700 data points, and 51 industry-specific models. These power three flagship data products: the STαR ESG Data Platform (covering all A-shares, Hong Kong-listed companies under Stock Connect, Chinese Depository Receipts, and major bond issuers), the ESG Risk Radar System (real-time monitoring of regulatory developments and controversies with a proprietary risk model), and the PANDA Climate Data Platform (carbon emissions, carbon management, and climate-related impact analysis aligned to China's Dual Carbon Goals). The STαR database contains over 1,000,000 ESG indicator assessment records with seven years of historical ratings and ten years of historical data points. Adjacent offerings include ESG due diligence, green bond evaluation and certification, ESG report assurance, climate scenario analysis and stress testing, ESG investment strategy consulting, capacity building/training, and policy advisory services.

Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring subscription access to the STαR ESG Data Platform and project-based professional services engagements (green bond certification, ESG due diligence, report assurance, consulting, training, and bespoke research). The firm monetizes its thought-leadership position through annual publications such as the China Sustainable Investment Review, Top 10 Trends in Responsible Investment reports, and A-share ESG Rating Analysis Reports, while also operating the China Sustainable Investment Forum (China SIF) as an ecosystem engagement platform. Customer segments span asset managers and investment institutions, banks and insurance companies, listed companies and bond issuers, and regulators and policy makers.

Name

SynTao Green Finance

Legal name

SynTao Green Finance

Website

https://syntaogf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SynTao Green Finance is a Beijing-based ESG data and analytics provider serving Chinese financial institutions, asset managers, banks, listed companies, and regulators through its STαR ESG Data Platform, ESG Risk Radar, and PANDA Climate Data Platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ESG Data & Analytics / Sustainable Finance Data

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

ESG Data, Ratings & Research (Providers, Methodologies, Analytics) (FSAAALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

ESG Data, Ratings & Climate Benchmarks (FSAFAIAI), Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK), ESG Governance, Sustainability Reporting & Assurance Advisory (BPAHAFAJ)

Keywords

• ESG data analytics
• ESG rating services
• Green bond evaluation
• Climate risk data
• Sustainable investment research

Headquarters

HQ city

Chaoyang

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ESG Ratings & Data Products: Access to STαR ESG Data Platform providing ESG rating results, ESG indicator data and detailed ESG data point information for individual stocks and portfolios to financial institutions.
2. Green Bond Evaluation and Certification: As first Climate Bonds Standard approved verifier in China and founding member of Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking, STGF provides green bond evaluation and certification services.
3. ESG Due Diligence & Consulting: Policy consulting and sustainable financial product top-level design services for regulators and financial institutions, including ESG due diligence and ESRM services.
4. Report Assurance Service: ESG report assurance and verification services for companies.
5. Capacity Building & Training: Training and capacity building programs on ESG topics for financial institutions and corporates.
6. Research Publications: Published research reports including China Sustainable Investment Review, Top 10 Trends, A-share ESG Rating Analysis Reports, and industry-specific studies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SynTao Green Finance develops and sells proprietary ESG data, analytics, and rating products for Chinese listed companies, delivered through software platforms (STαR ESG Data Platform, ESG Risk Radar System, PANDA Climate Data Platform). The firm complements these data products with professional services including green bond evaluation, ESG due diligence, report assurance, policy advisory, capacity building/training, and climate change advisory for financial institutions, asset managers, and corporate issuers.

Product overview

SynTao Green Finance offers a comprehensive ESG data and advisory platform consisting of core data products (STαR ESG Data Platform, ESG Risk Radar System, PANDA Climate Data Platform) supported by proprietary ESG rating methodology covering all A-shares, Hong Kong stocks, CDRs and bond issuers with 14 key issues, 200+ indicators and 700+ data points. The company provides advisory services including ESG Due Diligence, Green Bond Evaluation and Certification, Report Assurance, Capacity Building, Policy Advisory, and Climate Change services (Carbon Footprint, Physical Risks, Climate Scenario Analysis, Climate Stress Testing). The product portfolio enables financial institutions to integrate ESG factors into investment management processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STαR ESG Data Platform: ESG Data Platform covering A-shares, Hong Kong Stocks, CDRs and bond issuers with multi-dimensional ESG rating data
• ESG Risk Radar System
• PANDA Climate Data Platform
• ESG Cartoon Character Series

Products and services

• STαR ESG Data Platform Subscription-based ESG data and analytics platform covering Chinese listed companies with proprietary ratings; for banks, asset managers, insurers, and other financial institutions.
• ESG Risk Radar System Software/data product for monitoring ESG risks across Chinese listed companies and investment portfolios; for institutional investors and risk teams.
• PANDA Climate Data Platform Climate and carbon data analytics platform for Chinese listed companies; for investors integrating climate risk into portfolio decisions.
• Green Bond Evaluation External evaluation/second-party opinion services for green bond frameworks and issuances; for Chinese bond issuers and underwriters.
• ESG Due Diligence Project-based ESG due diligence on companies and transactions; for institutional investors and corporate buyers/M&A counterparties.
• Capacity Building / Training Paid training and capacity-building programs on ESG, green finance, and responsible investment; for financial institution staff and corporate teams.
• Policy Advisory Advisory engagements supporting green finance and ESG policy development; for regulators, industry associations, and large institutional clients.
• Report Assurance External assurance on ESG and sustainability reports; for listed companies and issuers seeking third-party validation.
• ESG Investment Strategy Advisory Advisory services supporting ESG integration into investment strategy and portfolio construction; for asset managers and institutional investors.
• Climate Change Services Advisory and analytics services supporting climate risk assessment, scenario analysis, and low-carbon transition planning; for financial institutions and corporates.
• ESG Cartoon Series Branded ESG-awareness educational content product; positioned as a standalone commercial content offering distinct from consulting and data products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14.13% of A-share companies rated A- or above in 2024 (760 companies)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• China Sustainable Investment Forum (China SIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012China SIF was established in 2012 as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible investment. SynTao Green Finance is the initiator of China SIF and jointly releases annual reports including China Sustainable Investment Review and Top 10 Trends. China SIF provides a platform for exchanging and sharing ideas on sustainable investment in China.
• Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSynTao Green Finance and Climate Bonds Initiative have jointly published multiple green bond market reports including Green Bond Market Annual Reports (2022, 2023, 2024) and China Green Finance Policy Analysis Reports.
• Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly published 'Investing for a just transition: Proposals for a just transition disclosure framework in China' (2022) and collaborated on ESG disclosure recommendations for China.
• UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member and participant in UNEP FI initiatives. Collaborated on ESG disclosure recommendations report together with UNEP FI and PRI.
• UNICEFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on baseline study of child rights-related disclosures by A-share listed companies in China (2026), supporting companies, investors and policymakers in strengthening social dimension of ESG.
• NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-published 'Steel Enterprise Low-Carbon Transition Financing Toolbox' (2025) analyzing financing challenges and solutions for steel industry decarbonization.
• Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and BankingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking. Actively participates in green finance policy research and standard-setting.
• International Capital Market Association (ICMA)minorOthersObserver organization of ICMA Green Bond Principles, contributing to international green bond standard development.
• Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerActive member of AIGCC, representing Asian investor perspective in global discussions on climate change and net-zero transition. AIGCC members come from 13 markets with combined AUM over US$26 trillion.
• China Climate Engagement Initiative (CCEI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched by Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) and China SIF in July 2023, with 27 institutional investor members representing over CNY 50 trillion in AUM.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research with IFC and Shanghai Stock Exchange on sustainability reporting guidelines mapping and gap analyses.
• Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research on sustainability reporting guidelines with IFC and SSE to provide references for CSR reporting guidelines suitable for Chinese companies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MSCI ESG Research: Global ESG ratings and data provider serving institutional investors with broad coverage across geographies and asset classes. Comparable to SynTao in core ESG ratings/data delivery, but with far broader international scope and significantly deeper analyst bench.
• ISS ESG: Institutional Shareholder Services' ESG arm delivers corporate ESG ratings, climate solutions, and governance analytics to institutional investors. Comparable to SynTao on ratings plus governance/assurance services.
• FTSE Russell ESG Ratings: FTSE Russell provides ESG ratings and data used for index construction and institutional benchmarking. Directly comparable to SynTao's ESG ratings offering for asset managers and index-tracking institutions.
• Sustainalytics (Morningstar): One of the largest global ESG ratings providers, now part of Morningstar, offering company-level ESG risk ratings used by asset managers worldwide. Comparable to SynTao's STαR ratings framework, with overlapping methodology and target buyer (institutional investors).
• LSEG (Refinitiv) ESG Data: London Stock Exchange Group's Refinitiv ESG business provides company ESG scores, carbon data, and analytics integrated with financial data terminals. Comparable to SynTao's STαR + PANDA stack, with stronger global terminal distribution.
• S&P Global ESG Scores: S&P Global's ESG Scores product delivers company-level ESG data and analytics, increasingly expanding into emerging-market and China coverage. Comparable to SynTao on ratings methodology and asset-manager customer overlap.
• Bloomberg ESG Data: Bloomberg's ESG data product provides company-level ESG scores, carbon emissions, and sustainability metrics embedded in the Bloomberg Terminal workflow. Comparable to SynTao's data subscription model targeting financial institutions, with much broader distribution.

Direct peers

• China Securities Index Co. (CSI) - ESG Ratings: Chinese domestic index provider that has developed ESG ratings for A-share and Hong Kong listed companies. Most direct domestic peer to SynTao, sharing the same target market (Chinese institutional investors) and competing on China-specific ESG coverage.
• RatingDog (Caifu Shengshi / Hexun): Chinese domestic financial media and data group (Hexun/和讯) that publishes ESG-related rankings and data for A-share companies. Comparable to SynTao on domestic ESG ratings coverage of Chinese listed companies, though with a more media-led GTM.
• Wind Information ESG Ratings: Wind (万得), the dominant Chinese financial data terminal, has built out ESG ratings and analytics for A-share companies. Closely comparable to SynTao on product (ESG ratings/data) and customer (Chinese buy-side institutions), with the advantage of incumbent terminal distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syntaogf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SynTao Green Finance