Investing in Nature 2002

21 February 2002

HSBC, one of the world's largest financial services organisations, is creating a US$50 million eco-partnership over five years to fund conservation projects around the world. By making the largest ever single donations to three charities, WWF, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and Earthwatch, the new Investing in Nature programme will:

• clean up three of the world's major rivers, benefiting 50 million people who depend upon them;
• help save 20,000 rare plant species from extinction;
• train 200 scientists and send 2,000 staff to work on vital conservation research projects worldwide.

"Companies as well as individuals have a responsibility for the stewardship of this planet, which we hold in trust for the future," said HSBC Chairman Sir John Bond, at the launch of Investing in Nature today in London. "If we don't act now, by 2025 over 60 per cent of the world's population could face a water shortage. We are also facing a global extinction crisis with thousands of species and habitats under threat.

"With WWF, BGCI and Earthwatch, Investing in Nature will breathe new life into rivers, protect endangered species, and fund conservation research and education around the world. Our investment is not simply financial - 2,000 staff will take part in fieldwork and become environmental champions within the Group."

Over five years, the partnership will:

Resuscitate three of the world's major rivers

With HSBC's US$18.4 million funding, WWF will restore 2 million hectares of river basin habitats in the Amazon in Brazil, the Yangtze in China and the Rio Grande in the US, returning the natural flow of rivers, protecting fish and other freshwater species, and securing fresh drinking water for millions. In the UK, WWF will work to protect and restore freshwater habitats in line with new EU legislation and create a public awareness programme about water and water usage.

Help to halt global plant extinction

A US$11.6 million donation to Botanic Gardens Conservation International will fund a living gene bank in botanic gardens around the world to protect 20,000 endangered plant species. BGCI will also raise public awareness of the value of plants through its 500 member gardens in 111 countries, revitalising conservation in 16 major gardens in Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and the Middle East, and funding education programmes in Canada, China, Japan, the UK and the US.

Deliver a 'century' of environmental research

Some 2,000 HSBC staff will work alongside Earthwatch scientists on conservation projects worldwide, yielding the equivalent of 100 'man years' of critical research. This will create a network of environmental ambassadors in the Group, who will be given grants for local conservation projects when they return to their communities. The US$16 million donation will also be used to train 200 scientists in developing countries.

"WWF believes that, globally, freshwater is a critical environmental issue with perhaps the greatest risk of conflict between peoples. Over 1.2 billion of the world's poorest people don't have access to safe drinking water. We want to help turn this around, and with HSBC's support we can embark on a major new programme to stem the decline in three of the world's key freshwater systems," said Dr Garo Batmanian, Chief Executive of WWF Brazil.

Dr Peter Wyse Jackson, Secretary General of BGCI, said: "Botanic gardens are like a 'Noah's Ark' for endangered plant life. Our partnership with HSBC will help fill this ark with 20,000 of the rarest plants, helping reverse the current extinction crisis and protecting the world's greatest renewable natural resource for the future. At the same time, this project will raise international awareness of the value of plants and the threats they face in a way never before attempted."

Dr Robert Barrington, Chief Executive of Earthwatch Europe said: "This donation provides the people and the funds to help us continue our long term support of environmental field research, whilst providing a unique opportunity for HSBC employees to get directly involved in conservation issues. We are delighted that HSBC is making such a significant environmental investment and believe that this programme will demonstrate the positive impacts of corporate and NGO partnerships in contributing to a sustainable future for our planet."