Case Studies

In 2004, HSBC became a founder member of The Climate Group. The Climate Group is a collaboration of businesses and government entities working together for open discussion of new solutions to climate change problems. The approach focuses on positive solutions, ones that will support economic growth and business development, while increasing the positive impact on the environment.

In 2005, HSBC was a principal sponsor of The Climate Group's NorthSouthEastWest book and exhibition. The exhibition is a collection of photographs taken by renowned photographers, giving real examples of our changing climate and its effects, shown in many countries through images of extreme weather events; trends in arctic ice cap thickness; observed glacier retreats; poor urban air quality; environmental refugees; lack of available water; and impacts on biodiversity. The exhibition also looks at energy efficiency; renewable energy; fuel cell technology; combined heat and power plants; effective public transport systems; carbon capture and storage; carbon offsetting; and emissions trading. Finally, it looks at people – the faces and voices that are making a difference to our changing climate.

To raise awareness globally of these changes, the exhibition was toured by the British Council under its ZeroCarbonCity initiative to 65 cities throughout the world in 2005 and 2006.