Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at HSBC

HSBC seeks to ensure that the financial services we provide to our customers to support economic development do not result in an unacceptable impact on people or the environment.

For more than 10 years, we have been working with our business customers to help them understand and manage their environmental and social impact. HSBC has specific sustainability risk policies covering agricultural commodities, chemicals, defence, energy, forestry, mining and metals, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Ramsar-designated wetlands. We also apply the Equator Principles when financing projects.

Community Impact and Philanthropy

HSBC is committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. In 2018, we contributed USD105 million to charities and non-profit organisations running community projects around the world. Employees gave 264,000 hours of time to volunteer during working hours.

Most of the bank’s funding goes towards programmes aligned to our global themes of supporting responsible business, and employability and financial capability. However, HSBC also earmarks roughly a quarter of funding for leaders across our network to support causes that are important to local communities. These may include projects reflecting local needs, such as environmental protection or healthcare.

As well as its ongoing community support, the bank is committed to providing financial assistance and other forms of help in response to unforeseen and sudden challenges, such as natural disasters and humanitarian crises.