The HSBC Climate Partnership
The HSBC Climate Partnership' is a five-year programme on climate change to inspire action by individuals, businesses and governments.
From 2007, the five partners, HSBC, Earthwatch, The Climate Group, The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF, will work together to:
- create cleaner, greener cities in London, New York and Shanghai, which we will promote as models for the world.
- protect some of the world's major rivers and the livelihoods of people who rely on them.
- conduct the largest ever field experiment on the long-term effects of climate change and how it will affect the world's forests.
- create ‘climate champions' worldwide who will undertake research and bring back valuable knowledge and experience to their workplace and communities.
The HSBC Climate Partnership builds upon the Investing in Nature programme, which concluded in 2006.
What is Earthwatch's role in the HSBC Climate Partnership?
Research
Earthwatch is undertaking a comprehensive programme of forest research to determine how temperate and tropical forests are being affected by climate change. This research will help us to decide how forests should be managed for the benefit of the people, plants and animals that depend on them.
As part of The HSBC Climate Partnership we are opening Regional Climate Centres in China, India, Brazil, USA and UK, where we will bring together international scientists, local community members, students and HSBC employees to conduct leading scientific field research.
Each forest site has been selected because it has been, and continues to be, heavily impacted by humans. Our research will address the relationship between human impacts on ecosystems and their ability to adapt to changing conditions, providing results that will be critical for international forest managers, local communities, NGOs, scientists and business.
Employee Engagement
Earthwatch is working with HSBC to give their global workforce the opportunity to learn more about climate change. Through an interactive online programme and a network local volunteering projects worldwide, Earthwatch will engage a diverse range of HSBC employees.
Over 2,000 employees will also have the unique opportunity to take part in scientific field research and environmental learning sessions at their nearest Regional Climate Centre, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to become Climate Champions within the bank.