Our Commitment

HSBC uses a variety of recognised tools and standards when designing new or refurbishing existing buildings.

BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Model

BREEAM is a UK assessment tool which rates the performance of buildings based on their environmental impact or measures taken to avoid impacts. A building is rated on management, energy use, health and well-being, pollution (air and water), transport, land use, ecology, water consumption and efficiency, and materials. Buildings are certified as pass, good, very good, or excellent.

HSBC is adopting this benchmark when building or refurbishing so as to ensure a high standard of environmental credibility in its buildings. The HSBC headquarters building in Canary Wharf, UK received a BREEAM Excellent rating for management and operations in December 2005.

EEAS - Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme

The EEAS is the UK's only independent award for achievements in reducing energy use. It is overseen by the Carbon Trust and has so far given over two hundred accreditations. The EEAS accreditation is only valid for three years; therefore businesses must continue with their environmental achievements to receive reaccreditation.

Energy Performance in Building Directive

European Community research has indicated that 40% of energy demand comes from buildings; if energy efficiency is improved, carbon emissions could be reduced by as much as 22%. The Energy Performance in Building Directive aims to improve existing structures and create higher standards for new structures in order to reduce carbon emissions. This will be accomplished by applying cost-effective and energy-saving measures, routinely monitoring progress, and employing standard measurement tools. While HSBC has already gone carbon neutral, these initiatives will support that commitment.

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

The LEED green building rating system was originally developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a recognised standard for the construction industry to assess the environmental sustainability of building designs. LEED promotes integrated, whole-building design, with the overall aim of reducing a building's environmental impact. LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals, and a point-based rating system. HSBC has applied the standard to buildings in Mexico, the US and India.

Toner Suppliers

HSBC partners with Planet Ark and Hewlett Packard across Asia-Pacific to divert used toner cartridges from landfills. In Australia, 100% has been diverted from landfills since July 2003 and approximately 4,000 toner cartridges have been recycled as at 30 June 2005. In Hong Kong more than 20,000 empty toner and ink jet cartridges were collected for recycling in 2004. A locally-appointed recycled toner supplier collects the cartridges for re-manufacturing purposes.