Our Commitment

HSBC has implemented many environmentally-friendly practices and is encouraging the development of many more. In addition to this, HSBC takes responsibility for fostering dialogue about the different policies both among internal employees and managers and externally with other companies, organisations, and governments.

In June 2005, HSBC held its first environmental conference. Representatives from across the Group came together to discuss specific issues such as climate change and to learn about larger HSBC initiatives. The implementation of the HSBC environmental action plan was also a major objective of the conference. The action plan covers four areas including:

Direct impacts: Sustainable development, Purchasing, IT

Group Sustainable Development is responsible for monitoring the direct impacts of our operations including in terms of water, waste, CO₂ and energy. In 2003, the reporting system only covered 67% of HSBC's global work force. The objective, by Jan 2005, was to cover 90% of the workforce with good reliability so that rigorous targets could be set at the Group level and for individual regions. Currently, HSBC reports on 32 countries covering 94% of its staff.

Indirect impacts: Lending - CIBM (Corporate Investment Banking and Markets)/CMB (Commercial Banking), Credit and Risk

Lending can have many negative impacts on the environment when financial support is given to companies who do not act in an environmentally responsible manner.

Read more about HSBC's lending policies.

Indirect impacts: Socially responsible investment - Asset management

HSBC currently has about US$400 billion under management. Half of this is invested through HSBC Investments, the other half through HSBC Private Bank. Asset management has an indirect effect on the environment as shares may be bought in companies with a poor environmental record. Socially responsible investment (SRI) funds are currently growing in popularity, encouraging responsible investment.

Internal: Staff learning and development

HSBC employs Group-wide policies to ensure environmentally responsible behaviour; in order to fully implement these, it is necessary to inform staff of the policies and train them in how to use them.

As well as discussing internal communications at the environmental conference, external speakers from some of HSBC's partners were brought in, including WWF, the Tropical Trust, and The Climate Group.