Investing in communities
HSBC supports the economies in which we operate by providing employment, making tax contributions, payments to suppliers, and investments in local businesses. We also make a direct contribution to communities through donations of both time and money.
We recognise that a thriving society is critical to our future success as bank. That is why we focus our community investment activity on education and the environment - the fundamental building blocks for the development of communities. We aim to allocate around 75% of our donations to these two themes.
In 2008, HSBC spent US$102.4 million on community investment activities. In addition, employees spent 406,000 hours in company time on volunteering for charities.
Our approach is not to give money and walk away. We partner with world class charities that are making a difference, and we remain involved in the decisions about how the money is spent. We employ people that drive our community programmes at a strategic level. We encourage our employees to get involved in their local communities, and we know that this motivates and engages our people.
Our educational support focuses on:
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Disadvantaged children
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Financial and business literacy
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Environmental education and understanding
Future First
Our flagship educational programme for disadvantaged children is Future First. Launched in 2006, this five year US$ 10 million programme provides access to education and teaches life skills to deprived and excluded children, whether on the streets, orphaned or in care.
Through Future First, HSBC supports a wide range of programmes from scholarships, teacher training, supporting school equipment, family support programmes and vocational training.
The programme currently supports 177 projects in 43 countries benefiting over 192,000 children worldwide.
Related case studies:
JA More than Money™
Our global financial education programme, JA More than Money™, teaches students about earning, spending, sharing, and saving money, and potential careers.
JA More than Money™ is run in partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide and is facilitated by HSBC volunteers. As Dollars and $ense, it was one of JA Worldwide's most successful youth financial literacy programmes in the United States. Results of an independent survey in 2007 showed that the seven to 11 year old students who participated in this initiative demonstrated a much better understanding of financial concepts than others of the same age.
Through HSBC's US$3.4 million commitment, JA Worldwide has taken the programme to 15 countries across five continents in the year 2008–2009.
HSBC and JA Worldwide have a long-standing relationship, having collaborated for 65 years in the United States and more than 25 years in the United Kingdom, where JA Worldwide operates as Young Enterprise.
Our environmental support focuses on:
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Climate change
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Freshwater, e.g. rivers
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Biodiversity, e.g. natural habitats.
HSBC Climate Partnership
HSBC's key environmental programme is The HSBC Climate Partnership, which brings together world renowned charities to tackle the causes and impacts of climate change. The HSBC Climate Partnership aims to combat the urgent threat of climate change by inspiring individuals, businesses and governments worldwide. Launched in 2007, HSBC is working with The Climate Group, Earthwatch, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF to:
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Engage individuals. Educate and inspire employees and public to address climate change at home and at work, by engaging them in volunteering and research projects
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Engage decision-makers. Work with government and corporations in China, India, USA and UK to create cleaner, greener cities and promote them as models for the world.
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Protect major rivers. Make the Amazon, Ganges, Thames and Yangtze - and the millions of people who depend on them - less vulnerable to climate change
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Improve understanding of forests. Help combat climate change by enabling scientists' to improve their understanding of how forests interact with carbon and the climate.
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Make our business more sustainable. Make our employees more aware of the business implications of climate change. Help build their general capabilities, confidence and commitment to HSBC.
HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative
The HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative is a new, flagship environmental education programme for the Group, announced in 2009. In partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Education, the programme encourages all stakeholders in a school, including students, staff and parents to assess the institution’s infrastructure and curriculum. Trained HSBC volunteers will support the school in reducing carbon emissions and adapting to the likely effects of climate change. The first year pilot includes Brazil, China, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Malta, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and the USA.
