HSBC CLIMATE PARTNERSHIP(Old)

The HSBC Climate Partnership is a five-year US$100 million programme on climate change to inspire action by individuals, governments and businesses worldwide. Formed in 2007 the partnership brings together HSBC, The Climate Group, Earthwatch, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF to tackle the urgent threat of climate change on people, water, forests and cities. By working with these partners, and engaging its staff members worldwide, HSBC hopes to inspire action by individuals, businesses and governments worldwide.

On Climate Prep you can join the HSBC Climate Partners via regular blog updates as they explore the links between sustainable business practices, climate change, and on the ground adaptation projects.

Partners:

WWF

Earthwatch

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

The Climate Group

Check out the videos below, brought to us in part by the HSBC Climate Partnership.

“The Story So Far” highlights some of the successes of the HSBC Climate Partnership achieved thus far. As part of the Partnership, WWF is leading global initiatives to reduce the impacts of climate change on people and livelihoods in and around some of the world’s major cities and river basins, including the Amazon, Ganges, Thames, and Yangtze.

“Rivers on the Edge” highlights the beauty and challenges facing the chalk streams of southern England and northern France. Such small freshwater systems are critical to greater ecosystem functioning and act as crucial reservoirs of biodiversity. Unfortunately, being a small system means that not only are they often overlooked in conservation efforts, but they are also more vulnerable than large ecosystems. The majority of these streams are under immense pressure as they are in the greater London area. Near the end of the video, climate change adaptation in the form of water use efficiency is discussed. The adaptive methods that they discuss can be implemented everywhere. Keeping water in rivers by decreasing society’s excessive use of water gives these small systems a little bit more time to adjust to a shifting climate.

“At the Water’s Edge” discusses one of the greatest challenges of the 21st Century, water management. Some thirst for water. Others waste it. The world’s population continues to increase. Agriculture, industry and energy demand more and more water. The impacts of climate change are looming. Pressure on freshwater supplies has never been greater. The result is a threat to the world’s economy, the environment and one of our world’s most precious resources.