HSBC Climate Partnership
HSBC has created a groundbreaking US$100 million partnership to respond to the urgent threat of climate change. The HSBC Climate Partnership brings together The Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and WWF.
About the Partnership
The HSBC Climate Partnership combats the urgent threat of climate change by inspiring individuals, businesses and governments worldwide. Launched in 2007 by HSBC with The Climate Group, Earthwatch, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF the partnership works to:
- Educate and inspire HSBC's 312,000 employees and the public to address climate change at home and at work, through volunteering and research projects.
- Work with government and corporations in China, India, the USA and UK to create cleaner, greener cities and promote them as models for the world.
- Make the Amazon, Ganges, Thames and Yangtze rivers - and the millions of people who depend on them - less vulnerable to climate change
- Help scientists' to improve their understanding of how forests interact with carbon and the climate.
- Make HSBC's employees more aware of the business implications of climate change, while also building their general capabilities, confidence and commitment to HSBC.
The Climate Group in The HSBC Climate Partnership
Cities and technology
Under the HSBC Climate Partnership, we're working in key cities to boost the use of technologies that will cut urban CO2 emissions.
LED lighting, electric vehicles and 'smart' buildings are low carbon technologies with proven potential. But we need to increase awareness of and trust in these technologies. We also need to make them more affordable.
We are helping local governments make that push in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York and Toronto - great cities whose actions influence other cities around the world.
In these cities, we are helping local governments to see the potential of these technologies and make them mainstream. We're bringing together city governments, major corporations and smaller specialist companies to look at the opportunities and obstacles for these technologies. Then, we work together to create the polices and the financing that tip the balance in their favor.
Additional focus
Global offices. Funding from the HSBC Climate Partnership has been critical to The Climate Group's expansion into China and India. It's also strengthened our capacities in Europe and North America.
Research and new initiatives. Funding also enables us conduct research and publish reports, convene private and public meetings, and help found initiatives like Forward Chicago and The Mumbai Energy Alliance.
Our recent activity within the HSBC Climate Partnership
September 2009. Climate Week NYC
The HSBC Climate Partnership is a Strategic Supporter of Climate Week NYC, a Climate Group initiative bringing together hundreds of government and business leaders from around the world for a series of high-level meetings and events focused on climate change.
September 2009. The Hong Kong International Conference on Climate Change
In September, we joined the Hong Kong Climate Change Forum in convening ICCC2009. The Conference brought together experts from various fields to explore low carbon opportunities and climate change impacts in China and the Pearl River Delta Region. HSBC and The HSBC Climate Partnership are diamond sponsors of the event. Mr. Sandy Flockhart CBE, CEO of HSBC Asia Pacific was among the keynote speakers.
September 2009. LED outdoor lighting trials launch in New York City
We've launched a ground-breaking pilot project in NYC to assess the how LED lighting can help curb urban greenhouse gas emissions and cut energy costs, while making cities brighter and safer at night. Our program to pilot LED outdoor lighting in New York and other cities is sponsored by The HSBC Climate Partnership.
August 2009. Mumbai Energy Alliance Launch 
The Climate Group through the HSBC Climate Partnership, the International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC) and others launched the Mumbai Energy Alliance, which will deliver large-scale and collaborative energy-efficient projects across the Greater Mumbai region.
August 2009. Report: China's Clean Revolution 2
Our new report, China's Clean Revolution 2, sponsored by the HSBC Climate Partnership and The British Embassy in Beijing, shows how China has taken the lead in the race to develop and commercialize a range of low carbon technologies.
