Our Approach
The term 'sustainability' for HSBC is about running our business for the long term. It is about investing in customer relationships; ensuring that our governance is robust; and that our risk appetite is prudently managed. This approach allows us to contribute to socio-economic development and environmental protection in a number of ways.
Through our day-to-day business activities we support individuals and organisations in achieving their financial goals; we provide employment for around 300,000 colleagues; we pay taxes in the countries where we operate; and we invest directly in communities, through our education and environment programmes.
At HSBC sustainability teams work at a Group, regional and country level to shape the bank's approach to managing environmental and social risk, our community investment programmes, new business opportunities in the emerging 'climate business' sector and the companies' own footprint. Throughout the group's operations, many other employees are responsible for the implementation of these programmes for example in credit risk, purchasing, information technology and relationship management teams.
We have Heads of Corporate Sustainability in each of the Group's five main regions, who have joint reporting lines to their local Chairman or Chief Executive, and to the Group Head of Corporate Sustainability. The Group Head of Human Resources is responsible for sustainability on behalf of the Group Chief Executive and the HSBC Holdings Board.
How we manage sustainability
Sustainability at HSBC is overseen by the Corporate Sustainability Committee, a sub-committee of the HSBC Holdings Board. The Corporate Sustainability Committee is responsible for advising the HSBC Holdings Board, committees of the Board and executive management on sustainability policies, including environmental, social and ethical issues. You can find out about the Committee's Terms of Reference in the Annual Report and Accounts here.
Policies and operational procedures are in place for countering reputational risks that might arise in any part of HSBC. They cover many aspects, ranging from money laundering deterrence and counter-terrorism financing to anti-corruption measures, information security, social and environmental impacts and employee relations. Reputational risk management forms an integral part of the internal controls system and is communicated through manuals and statements of policy, internal communications channels and a variety of training methods. Find out more about the Group Reputational Risk Committee in the Annual Report and Accounts.
International Commitments
We have voluntarily agreed to abide by a number of external codes of conduct, some of which are listed here:
UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
HSBC has expressed its support for the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights since 2004.
UNEP Finance Initiative
HSBC is one of the founder signatories of the UNEP Finance Initiative, a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector working to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations on financial performance.
UN Global Compact
HSBC is a corporate supporter of The Global Compact. The Compact challenges companies to demonstrate progress in supporting and advancing key principles in four fields: labour standards, human rights, environmental responsibility and anti-corruption. Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, a non-executive Director on the Board of HSBC Holdings plc, is a co-vice-chair of the Global Compact Board.
Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS
Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) is a coalition of more than 220 companies united to keep the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria a global priority.
Global Sullivan Principles
HSBC is a corporate supporter of The Global Sullivan Principles. The principles address economic, social and political justice issues, such as human rights and equal opportunities in employment.
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
HSBC follows the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which promote business conduct in the area of sustainability.
Equator Principles
The Equator Principles are a set of voluntary guidelines which provide a common framework to address the environmental and social issues that arise in financing projects.
Video - Developing Sustainable Communities
List of external websites
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- UNEP Finance Initiative
- The UN Global Compact
- Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC)
- The Global Sullivan Principles
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
HSBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
