The world's local bank
HSBC recognised for green leadership
HSBC in Hong Kong has been awarded the first Gold Award for our all-round outstanding environmental performance in the financial sector from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Sectoral Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) aim to recognise and award organisations with outstanding environmental performance across every aspect of their business. Industry sectors covered include construction, financial institutions, hotels, restaurants, catering, property management, retail, transport, logistics, the public sector and non-governmental organisations.
"We are honoured to receive this top Environmental Excellence Award from the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence. Sustainability is one of the core values in HSBC's business strategy. Being the world's first bank to become carbon neutral, we will continue to explore ways to improve our environmental performance through the adoption of new technologies and innovation and to motivate our employees, customers, and suppliers to do the same."
Peter Wong
Executive Director
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
HSBC has demonstrated green leadership in a number of areas, including:
HSBC was the world's first bank and FTSE 100 Company to go carbon neutral in 2005. HSBC's experience in operating a carbon-controlled business can be applied to its clients and the financial services sector.
HSBC has a dedicated Corporate Sustainability team covering the Asia-Pacific region to develop, coordinate and implement corporate sustainability and environmental initiatives across 20 countries/territories.
In partnership with Earthwatch, HSBC has developed a Climate Change business training programme for its staff, which involves two weeks of scientific research activities in the primary and secondary forests of the Gutianshan National Nature Reserve in Zhejiang Province, East China. Upon return, these 'climate champions' will share their valuable knowledge and expertise with other colleagues to develop a more sustainable business and workplace.
HSBC has policies in place to help customers manage risks in projects with high environmental and social impacts. In addition, HSBC helps customers invest in low-carbon and energy efficient technologies through Green Equipment Financing services. It has a Climate Change Centre of Excellence based in Bangalore, India to assess business risks and opportunities arisign from climate change for the benefits of the Group's business and clients.
In Hong Kong, HSBC also launched its innovative Green Credit Card last year, in which a percentage of spending on the card is directed to an environment programme.
Since 2002, HSBC's environmental management programme has identified major areas of direct environmental impact and has actively managed them by setting targets and actions. HSBC has also committed to spending US$90 million to reduce the environmental impact of its buildings and business operations over five years.
HSBC has a number of environmental partnership programmes in the community to promote biodiversity, wetland conservation, environmental research and lifestyle changes. Examples include Hong Kong's first carbon calculator, HSBC Wetland Days, and the HSBC Climate Partnership. The latter is a five-year US$100 million global programme with Earthwatch, The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, The Climate Group and WWF.
Last modified date: March 2009
Footprint Management projects
Despite the challenges of the global recession, HSBC remains committed to a low-carbon economy which we believe will make long-term positive contribution to the community and will benefit generations to come.
Teresa Au
Head of Corporate Sustainability
Asia Pacific Region
