Connections are key for the transition

In some areas of the net zero transition, progress is racing ahead of expectations. That’s especially true in the adoption of ever more affordable renewables, battery storage and electric vehicles.

But other goals – decarbonisation of heavy-emitting industries, for example, and development of clean fuels – have been harder than anticipated to realise.

The global policy and economic backdrop, too, is also increasingly uncertain.

Yet our research suggests that businesses’ commitment to the energy transition remains strong.

Some 78% of global corporate business leaders surveyed in our Sustainability Pulse Survey (opens in new window) (opens in new window) (opens in new window) (opens in new window) say they will accelerate their transition over the next three years.

The survey findings, which gathered insight from more than 1,600 business leaders and 500 institutional investors across 12 markets, also suggest the climate transition will be important for competitive advantage – and I believe connections will be key.

Forging connections

At HSBC, we’re focused on being our customers’ most trusted international financial partner through the transition, creating long-term value for them and our shareholders.

The breadth of companies that we work with means that we’re in a strong position to help forge connections for our clients and help them build the right partnerships.

With our global network, reach across value chains and trade corridors, and expertise in infrastructure and project finance, we can help finance the transition where it has the biggest impact.

Our customer base covers the full energy system optimisation value chain, from early-stage tech innovators and suppliers to project developers, grid operators, energy users, and investors – and our goal is to support these fast-growing ecosystems.

International connectivity

In the global built environment sector, too, we serve a wealth of clients who are working to decarbonise construction and to enable commercial and residential retrofitting in a way that makes commercial sense.

Our network means we can link up major real estate clients, for example, with the innovators working on solutions that could help them cut costs and reduce their carbon footprints.

And our international capabilities – including strong roots in Asia, which brings a different perspective on emerging innovation – position us to help transfer emerging knowledge between regions.

These connections are key in supporting the transition and helping clients to decarbonise and make the most of the opportunities this brings.

Read more from Tim on the Innovation Zero World Congress website (opens in new window) (opens in new window) (opens in new window) (opens in new window) (opens in new window).