The world's local bank
Managing our direct impacts
"We all have an obligation to help reduce our impact on the environment, including the impact resulting from the use and operation of our buildings. All Group offices will be accountable to achieve and, where possible, exceed our environmental targets, which will reduce costs and minimise our environmental footprint."
Stephen Green, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc
As part of a worldwide commitment to help tackle climate change, HSBC is undertaking a number of initiatives to manage the direct impact of its operations on the environment.
- HSBC became the world's first carbon neutral bank in October 2005. As well as taking steps to reduce energy consumption, HSBC's commitment to carbon neutrality involves buying green electricity and offsetting the remaining carbon dioxide emissions by investing in carbon credit or allowance projects.
- In 2006, HSBC was rated as top in its industry in a recent global climate leadership index for its awareness of the risks and opportunities posed by climate change.
- Introduced environmental business travel policy to limit unnecessary overseas travel and encourage employees to use conferencing facilities.
- Invested more than HKD3.5 million in various lighting initiatives in Hong Kong to save annual energy usage of at least 1.5 million kilowatt hours (kwh).
- Used higher energy-efficient air-conditioning chillers at the head office which are cooled by using seawater from Victoria Harbour to reduce energy consumption of 1.07 million kwh and about 869 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
- Installed an automated ventilation system in the car park of the head office building to reduce energy consumption of 537,400 kwh and more than 382 tonnes of CO2 emission every year.
- Use seawater from Victoria Harbour to cool the air-conditioning chillers.
- Installed sensor water taps at our head office to reduce water wastage.
- Installed flow restrictors in washbasin taps to reduce water consumption.
- Donate surplus food, used toys and books, computers, furniture, office equipment, electrical appliances and old uniforms to charities and recycling schemes.
- Request suppliers to reduce and reuse packing materials wherever possible.
- Use online purchasing and facilities booking systems to reduce paper usage.
- Installed an organic waste disposal system "GoMixer" to reduce about 100kg of kitchen waste each day.
- Collect used toner and inkjet cartridges for recycling, and carton boxes for reuse.
- Since 2000, the Bank has encouraged employees to reduce disposable cups used in the catering outlets through the 'Bring Your Own Cup' campaign.
- Place recycling bins for paper, aluminium cans, plastic bottles and rechargeable batteries at HSBC buildings, catering outlets and holiday houses to encourage recycling.
- Use recycled fibres and recycled paper for brochures, business cards, pocket and desk diaries and internal publications.
- Use biodegradable materials like sugar cane starch lunch boxes rather than Styrofoam.
- Use light weight paper for marketing brochures to reduce paper consumption.
Collection of toner cartridges for recycling.
Launched 'Bring your Own Cup' campaign since 2000 to reduce disposable cups.
Recycling bins are placed at all HSBC buildings to encourage recycling.
Using recycled paper for internal publications.
Recycled paper for diaries.
Environmental projects and activities
We hope more companies can follow the footsteps of HSBC.
Charles Chan
Coordinator of Caritas Computer Recycle Project
