HSBC Climate Partnership

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The HSBC Climate Partnership

The HSBC Climate Partnership (2007-2011) was an innovative programme between HSBC, Earthwatch, the Climate Group, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF, to inspire action by individuals, businesses and governments on climate change.

Forest Research
Supported by HSBC employees, Earthwatch undertook a five-year global programme of forest research to determine how temperate and tropical forests are being affected by changes in climate and other human-related activities such as logging. Regional Climate Centres were set up in China, India, Latin America, North America and Europe, where our scientists, supported by local community members and HSBC employees, carried out field research to establish the health of the forests. Results from this programme will enable forest managers, conservationists, and communities worldwide to understand how forests are responding to climate change and how they can better manage them.

HSBC Climate Partnership, Credit: Yifei

In the largest-ever employee engagement programme focused on sustainability, Earthwatch engaged and motivated more than a third of HSBC's global workforce to take action on climate change issues.

Involving People
Earthwatch worked with HSBC to help their employees learn more about climate change, what it means to the business and what they can do to combat it.

HSBC Climate Champions

Earthwatch engaged more than 100,000 HSBC staff, of whom 2,267 employees from 65 countries completed the ‘Climate Champion’ programme, where HSBC employees spent two weeks at a Regional Climate Centre working with scientists to monitor the health of the forests. Climate Champions also took part in discussions to further their understanding of climate change. Upon their return to work, Climate Champions delivered 700 environmental projects that furthered HSBC's commitment to sustainability.

Additionally, 63,000 employees volunteered to take part in environmental projects in their community, gaining practical experience of tackling climate change locally.

2,200 participants in the programme were surveyed by Ashridge Business School. Among HSBC Climate Champions:

93% said it increased commitment to taking action on climate change and sustainability
96% said it increased knowledge of climate change and sustainability issues
98% would recommend it to a colleague.

Participants also reported a range of professional development benefits such as greater confidence and improved leadership, team working and influencing skills.

In 2011 Earthwatch was awarded an International Green Award for its work in engaging HSBC employees in sustainability. The HSBC Climate Partnership also won a Business Charity Award in 2012.

Useful Resources:

HSBC Climate Partnership – Notes from a five year journey is a book containing stunning images, produced by HSBC to celebrate the achievements of the Partnership
Banking on Sustainability is a short film showcasing Earthwatch’s contribution to the HSBC Climate partnership
Forests in a Changing Climate is a film by Indian producer Mike Pandy, focusing on Earthwatch’s forest research in the Western Ghats region of India.