Our Commitment

Equator Principles

The Equator Priniciples are a set of nine voluntary principles developed to address the environmental and social issues that arise in financing projects. The Equator Principles help us to categorise the degree of environmental and social impact of commercial proposals.

HSBC adopted the Equator Principles in September 2003 as part of daily business practices. HSBC evaluates all project finance requests under the Equator Principles and will not provide loans directly to businesses which cannot comply with these principles.

Read more about the Equator Principles and HSBC's commitment to them.

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)

HSBC is a signatory and participant in this initiative, which aims to support countries with rich resources. When countries with natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals do not retain tight control over those resources, they can become the scene of international struggle and the victims of poverty as other governments or organisations exploit the resources at the expense of the country. EITI aims to support these countries by improving accountancy transparency; this helps to inform all parties of the assets available and how they are being used.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

The Forest Stewardship Council was established in 1993 to facilitate discussion and solutions about the problem of sustainable forestry. HSBC prefers to work with clients who are certified by the FSC.

Read more about HSBC's relationship with the FSC.

Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

Since 1990, the area under cultivation for the production of palm oil has increased by 43%, mostly in Malaysia and Indonesia. As the demand for palm oil continues to grow and the industry expands, there is increasing concern over the sustainability of the methods used for production. The Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil officially began in 2003 in an attempt to monitor the sustainability of production as well as to encourage and support companies, enabling them to produce in a sustainable manner. HSBC has been an executive board member since September 2004 and has also co-funded research.

Tropical Forest Trust (TFT)

HSBC was the first financial institution to join the Tropical Forest Trust, committing in May 2005. The TFT helps forest managers achieve Forest Stewardship Council certification as well as helping businesses manage their supply chains to ensure that they know where their products are coming from and that the products are produced in a sustainable manner.

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

HSBC was a founding member of UNEP FI. This is an environmental partnership between the United Nations and some 160 financial institutions. There is a forum for discussion as well as projects which are member driven. While these focus on the environment and sustainable business, there is also a focus on how to do this while still increasing the success of businesses. HSBC is a member of the Climate Change and Asset Management working groups of UNEP FI.

United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI)

HSBC Group Investment Businesses have signed the UN PRI. Launched in April 2006 by UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, the Principles provide a framework that helps investors to incorporate environmental, social and corporate governance issues into their investment activities. In signing the Principles, HSBC committed to a number of areas including investment analysis and decision making, active ownership, transparency, collaboration and wider promotion of the Principles.