Environment

HSBC has a long-standing commitment to the environment. In June 2006, we were proud to be recognized as the overall winner in the first Financial Times Sustainable Banking Awards, named ‘Sustainable bank of the year’ in recognition of our leadership in merging social, environmental and business objectives.

Since its launch in 2002, HSBC hosts the Island Watch for the Future Generation Program annually in partnership with Green Korea. The program includes research, education and conservation of the Jeju island. It helps middle school students experience and learn the island’s ecosystem, recognize the great environmental value of the island and importance of preserving environment, and understand the culture and history of the island. During the program, participants not only experience the island’s ecosystem, but also learn to care for others. Annually, about 40 students participate in a series of environmental programs such as Island Watch Program in summer, Ecological Field Trip in fall and Eco Workshop in winter.

HSBC Korea has formed an eco-partnership with Korean Federation of Environmental Movement(KFEM) for the conservation of wetlands in Korea, in particular those in DMZ(Demilitarized Zone). "Wetland Manager Training Program" is designed for the general public to increase the awareness on the importance of wetlands. Total 6 workshops and on-the-spot training sessions are organized in 5 different wetland area over the Korean peninsular, two of which are in DMZ.
Conservation of wetlands is essential for many water birds as the wetlands in Korea serve as the stopover place for many migratory birds. Among them, the globally endangered species such as the black-faced spoonbill, snipe and crane were included.

Climate change is an urgent threat affecting our forests, water, cities and the people. High summer temperatures, storms and rising sea levels will have more and more extreme impacts on our life. As a company with 312,000 employees and around 10,000 offices worldwide, HSBC launched a five-year, US$100 million programme, ‘The HSBC Climate Partnership’ in May 2007 to inspire action by individuals, businesses and governments worldwide. HSBC is joining forces with the Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute(STRI) and WWF to form the HSBC Climate partnership.
The HSBC Climate Partnership builds upon ‘Investing in Nature’, the Group’s previous US$50 million, five-year eco-partnership which concluded in 2006.

We believe climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the planet this century. As a global financial service organization, HSBC committed to be the first “carbon neutral” bank in 2005 and play an important role in encouraging the companies and projects we finance to manage climate change-related risks and opportunities. HSBC's carbon dioxide emissions come from the energy used in normal business operations, such as heating and cooling its offices, and from business travel. To neutralise these emissions and help tackle climate change, HSBC will reduce energy use, buy green electricity and offset its remaining emissions by investing in carbon credit projects, such as tree planting, and carbon allowances.

(Photo : This HSBC branch in Greece, New York, has solar panels on its roof- an example of renewable energy technology trailled by HSBC.)

Eco Business Innovation for SMEs(small and medium sized enterprises) was launched in October 2006 in partnership with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI – Business Institute for Sustainable Development) to help Korean small and mid-sized enterprises become environmentally responsible and more profitable at the same time, through improved environmental practices. This is a programme initiated by a private company for the first time in Korea for environmental management, and has inspired other Korean companies to create similar initiatives. The project has been welcomed by the participating companies as being practical since the project consists of seminars, workshops and, most importantly, on-the-spot consulting. It demonstrates HSBC Korea’s commitment to environment and SMEs.

HSBC developed an environmental reporting system to reduce our direct impact on the environment. HSBC branches and offices around the world set improvement targets to reduce energy usage and are looking for ways to achieve the target. Consolidated five-year targets to be met by 2007 are 7% reduction of energy, 8% waste production, 7% water consumption and 5% CO2 emission.

Commit to Change showcases HSBC's corporate responsibility focus on education and environment, highlighting the ways we pursue this in our business operations and wider community support.