Environment

HSBC has a long standing commitment to the environment. We manage our impact on the environment by operating as efficiently as possible and by making wise lending decisions. We also understand that we can do much more. As one of the leading financial institutions, we can invest and profit from projects that advance the transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Climate change represents the single largest environmental, social and economic challenge of this century and will impact HSBC's customers, employees, and shareholders. It is, therefore, a key focus of HSBC's sustainability strategy.

HSBC Climate Partnership

As communities become more urbanised, the natural environment around us suffers. Unique species of flora and fauna are in danger of being lost to us forever. How can we manage the impacts to protect our environment, and what is HSBC doing about it?

To motivate environmental action, HSBC launched a groundbreaking HSBC Climate Partnership, a US$100 million, five-year programme in 2007 bringing together four leading environmental organisations: The Climate Group, Earthwatch, The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF to inspire action by individuals, businesses and governments worldwide to fight climate change impacts.

The aim of HSBC Climate Champion Programme is to encourage HSBC staff to learn more about climatic changes, how they are affecting our environment and how the conservation of our environment can be linked to the bank's goals and objectives. Staff get the unique opportunity to travel to one of the five centres of Earthwatch around the world and return to lead an environmental project linked with business objectives.

Saving Mauritius Fody

The population of this endemic bird existed only in a small area of the National Park. As a matter of fact, from 1974 to 2003, the Mauritius Fody population declined from 260 pairs to 93. In order to save this specie from extinction, it was necessary to establish a second sub-population in another location.

Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) started the Mauritius Fody (Foudia rubra) Recovery Project in 2004 and HSBC Mauritius came on board the same year. With a better understanding of the species' behaviour and biology, the scientists of the MWF developed management protocols that can now be used for other conservation projects.
As a result, the total Fody sub-population has increased to 154. It is worth mentioning, that with the introduction of the Fody on Ile aux Aigrettes, the eco tourism value of the region has been enhanced, thus contributing to sustainable living and development of the economic activity in this region.

Environment Care Association

Established in 2006, Environment Care Association works for the conservation of natural resources and for the protection of the environment, with much emphasis on sensitisation and educational awareness on subjects such as problems linked to climate change, how one can contribute and moderate its impacts.

Co-sponsored by HSBC Mauritius and UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, this project consists of:

• The delivery of about 300 talks/presentations to primary schools, colleges, youth organisations, women organisations so as to sensitise them on various topics related to the protection of the environment and the conservation of natural resources with emphasis on the problems of climate change.
• The dissemination of about 10,000 copies of the booklet entitled "We Care For Our Climate" launched by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and for distribution during the talks.

TREASURE HUNT

HSBC in collaboration with The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and The National Parks and Conservation Services of the Ministry of Agriculture have organised a treasure hunt in the pristine area of Pigeon Wood, Mare Longue. From now onwards, we plan to have such activities on a regular basis.

The participants were HSBC's corporate clients and HSBC employees. The objective of the Treasure Hunt was to further reinforce our relationship with them as well as engage them towards one of our Corporate Sustainability projects. In the same breath, we also gave all customers the opportunity to discover Mauritius's threatened endemic flora and fauna.