HSBC has an ongoing commitment to the environment. Over years we have worked with non-governmental organisations and charities to maximise the donations made to combat environmental degradation and climate change.
This timeline highlights the progress HSBC has made since beginning its journey in 1992.
Our Commitment to Green Projects
- 2008 - HSBC Investment in Solar Power
- 2008 - How our Sale Saved more than money
- 2007 - The Climate Partnership
- 2005 - Carbon Investment
- 2005 - The Tropical Forest Trust
- 2005 - HSBC & Carbon Neutrality
- 2004 - Finance Guidelines
- 2004 - The Climate Group
- 2003 - The Equator Principles
- 2002 - Investing in Nature
- 2001 - United Nations Global Compact
- 1992 - United Nations Environmental Programme
2008 - HSBC UK Head Quarters invests in solar power
May sees 8 Canada Square become the tallest corporate headquarter building in Europe to feature solar panels, it is also the largest installation of photovoltaic panels on a corporate office in London.
This latest energy-saving measure is part of HSBC's Global Environmental Efficiency Programme, launched last year.
The solar panels will generate enough energy to power 20 average UK homes per year. Speaking about the panels Simon Martin, Head of Group Corporate Sustainability, HSBC Holdings plc, said: "This installation showcases innovation and demonstrates that renewable technologies of this scale can be delivered successfully. If every headquarter building around the world invested in solar panels, it would significantly accelerate the transition towards a low carbon economy and we hope to become a catalyst for this."
2007 - 2008 - How our Sale saved more than money
During our Green Sale, every time you took us up on one of our Sale or other special offers, we pledged to donate £2 to WWF to help support the flagship HSBC Rainforest Preservation Project, to help safeguard the Serra do Mar protected area within the Atlantic Rainforest which has been set up and managed by the government of Sao Paulo state, Brazil in collaboration with WWF.
2007 - The Green Option
July marked the launch of Green Option for HSBC current accounts, the UK's first environmentally-friendly range of accounts which remove as much paper as possible from banking – no cheque books, no statements and no direct mail.
back to top
2007 - Saving Planet Earth
HSBC is proud to have supported the BBC's fund-raising event, Saving Planet Earth, raising money for the BBC Wildlife Fund. We enabled people to donate to the BBC Wildlife Fund through our branch and ATM network and are delivering marketing effort to help raise awareness of the programme season and encourage donations.
back to top
2007 - The Global Environmental Efficiency Programme
Following the launch of the HSBC Climate Partnership, July 2007 saw HSBC commit to running a greener business. The Global Environmental Efficiency Programme (GEEP) will work across the bank's 10,000 offices to reduce its direct environmental footprint.
back to top
2007 - The HSBC Climate Partnership
January 2007 marked another first, as HSBC launched the UK's first ever sales event to have an environmental focus. The first Green Sale raised over £1 million for four charities.
May 2007 saw HSBC launch the Climate Partnership – a global programme to build upon the success of Investing in Nature.
The Climate Partnership Objectives are:
- To combat the urgent threat of climate change by inspiring action by individuals, businesses and governments worldwide;
- Create cleaner, greener cities in Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York and Shanghai;
- Create Climate Champions worldwide to undertake research and bring back valuable knowledge and experience to their communities;
- Conduct the largest ever field experiment on the long-term effects of climate change and how it will affect the world's forests;
- Protect some of the world's major rivers and the livelihoods of people who rely on them.
There are projects taking place on every major continent.
back to top
2007 - Green Sale
2006 - Sustainable Bank of the Year
In June of 2006 HSBC was named winner of the Financial Times Sustainable Bank of the Year in the inaugural year of the award in recognition of our social, economic and environmental leadership.
2005 - Carbon Investment
During 2005 HSBC established two new projects to promote awareness of climate change. The Carbon Neutral Schools’ Pilot was launched in association with the UK's Community Renewables Initiative and the Global HSBC Partnership for Environmental Innovation is a three-year, £650,000 collaboration with UEA and Newcastle University to research climate change.
back to top
2005 - The Tropical Forest Trust
HSBC became the first financial institution to join the Tropical Forest Trust (TFT). The trust works to conserve threatened tropical forests through sustainable management, and all members commit to sourcing wood only from TFT or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests.
back to top
2005 - HSBC & Carbon Neutrality
HSBC Group was declared carbon neutral in September 2005, the first major bank to achieve such a standard – and three months ahead of target.
back to top
2004 - Finance Guidelines
HSBC developed and launched the first in a series of sector-specific guidelines for financing projects in areas that can potentially damage the environment. The initial guideline covered Forest, Land and Forest Products and sets out good forest management practices and states how HSBC prefers to deal with clients who adhere to internationally recognised standards.
back to top
2004 - The Climate Group
The Climate Group was set up by the then UK Prime Minster, Tony Blair, and 20 leaders of some of the world’s biggest businesses, including HSBC.
back to top
2003 - The Equator Principles
In September 2003 HSBC signed up to the Equator Principles, a set of environmental and social benchmarks for managing environmental and social issues in development project finance in emerging markets.
back to top
2002 - Investing in Nature
A five year eco-partnership between HSBC, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), Earthwatch Institute and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Investing in Nature: key highlights
- Conserved or protected over 2,400 species
- Protected, managed or restored over 3m hectares of land
- Offered increased flood protection to over 8m people
- Discovered over 200 new species of flora/fauna
- Helped over 135,000 people increase their income
- Planted 13,000 trees
- Reached over 16m people through various educational and awareness programmes
2001 - United Nations Global Compact
2001 saw HSBC become a signatory of the UN Global Compact. The Global Compact outlines ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption and is the world’s largest global corporate citizenship initiative.
back to top
1992 - United Nations Environmental Programme
In 1992 HSBC became a founder signatory of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Statement by Financial Institutions on the Environment and Sustainable Development.
back to top
