Case Studies

In 2004, HSBC began a three-year, US$1.2 million collaboration with the British universities of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and East Anglia (UEA) to create the HSBC Partnership in Environmental Innovation. This programme is researching climate change and other major forms of global environmental damage, and society's awareness of the issues. The partnership aims to have a global impact and, while technically a research project, there will be a focus on real-life problems and creating appropriate solutions.

Newcastle University's contribution will be in the field of environmental technologies. The university's Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability (IRES) will:

• Establish the HSBC Chair in Environmental Technologies & Geothermal Energy;
• Develop the HSBC Programme of Minewater Remediation work in India, focusing on environmentally sustainable management of water in the coalfields;
• Develop new community-based, ceramic drinking-water purification technologies in Bangladesh;
• Establish HSBC masters scholarships and PhD studentships covering environmental engineering for developing countries, clean technology for China and international water governance;
• Establish core support for IRES linked to the new flagship building.

UEA's contribution will be in verifying carbon reduction technologies and techniques, and examining the different ways of achieving significant CO₂ reduction through combining technological acceptance and human behaviour. The university's Carbon Reduction programme (CRed) will establish the HSBC Low Carbon Innovation Centre which will:

• Provide research into climate change strategies, focusing on economics, environmental management, and methods of public engagement and decision-making;
• Facilitate direct involvement in low-carbon technology and exposure to businesses developing low-carbon technology.

In November 2005, the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne's research team, sponsored by HSBC, won The Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for a pioneering project to clean up contaminated water flowing from an abandoned mine.

In addition to the research partnership, the entities get involved in other areas of the environmental community. During National Science Week in March 2006, the University of East Anglia monitored pledges made on the BA's (British Association for the Advancement of Science) website to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced during the week. The university will evaluate the impact on the environment of the pledges made.

This revolutionary heating and cooling scheme in Tokyo is up to 40% more efficient than conventional systems. © Harry Gruyaert/Magnum Photos