News Release
27 May 2021

HSBC PARTNERS WITH WRI AND WWF TO SCALE NEXT
GENERATION SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE
The US$100m global initiative aims to accelerate efforts to build a net zero global economy,forms part of HSBC’s climate strategy.
In Japan, HSBC is partnering with The Nature Conservation Society of Japan on forest
management to foster an improved environment for carbon storage

HSBC, in partnership with World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF, today unveils
their Climate Solutions Partnership to unlock barriers to finance for companies andprojects that tackle climate change. The partnership’s three workstreams focus on
start-up firms developing carbon-cutting technologies, projects that protect and restore
biodiversity, and initiatives to help transition energy growth to renewables in Asia.
The global initiative is backed by US$100 million of philanthropic funding over five
years from HSBC to support the projects. It forms part of HSBC’s ambitious climate
strategy, first announced in October 2020. HSBC aims to align its provision offinance to net zero by 2050 or sooner, in line with the Paris Agreement goals, andexpects to provide between US$750 billion and US$1 trillion of finance andinvestment by 2030 to support its customers in the net zero transition. HSBC has
also pledged to work across the financial sector and beyond to accelerate solutions
that will help avoid catastrophic climate change.
Recognising the urgency of the climate challenge, the Climate Solutions Partnershipaims to accelerate change in the short term, to help realise the Paris Agreement
goals in the longer term. By bringing new solutions to commercial viability and scale,it aims to increase the rate of progress towards a 1.5 degree pathway to net zero.
The partnership will combine HSBCs financial expertise with the knowledge andexperience of WRI, WWF and a network of local partners in scaling climate solutions.
Together, the partners will collaborate to identify future business opportunities forsustainable innovations, and unlock net zero benefits by mobilising finance andharnessing supply-and-demand forces in commercial markets.
In Japan, HSBC is collaborating with The Nature Conservation Society of Japan onforest management to foster an improved environment for carbon storage.
The Climate Solutions Partnership will work to remove barriers and create incentives
in three focus areas:
Energy transition: Work with our partners to support the shift towards
renewables, and scale efficiency initiatives in key sectors - such as healthcare,textiles, and apparel.

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Nature-based solutions: Supporting more than 20 projects globally to protect
and revitalise wetlands, mangroves and forests, and to promote sustainableagriculture. Working with a network of local partners, these projects willcontribute to net zero goals by better enabling natural CO2 capture, while
increasing social and environmental resilience in markets most at risk fromclimate change.

Business innovation: Start-up firms and next-generation technologies offer thepotential to develop new approaches to cutting carbon emissions, but often facechallenges to access the finance and business mentoring needed to scale.
Utilising WWF’s Impactio collaboration platform, the partnership will help support
business innovations to scale, in collaboration with leading universities, research
institutes, incubators and accelerators. The first pilot challenge, involving 18
start-ups from 5 markets, has just been completed, and the first live challengecommences later this year.

Edward Weeks, President and Chief Executive Office, HSBC Japan said:“We are proud to be playing our part in the fight against climate change by partneringwith The Nature Conservation Society of Japan to develop more resilient forests. By
protecting and restoring the natural biodiverse ecosystem in the Akaya forest area inGunma Prefecture, we will not only help promote climate mitigation efforts, but also
the conservation of endangered wildlife in the area. Over the next five years, theAkaya project will enhance the carbon sequestration of our ecosystem while
supporting a more sustainable local economy.”
Dr. Akira Kameyama, Board of Directors Representative, The Nature
Conservation Society of Japan said:“As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, The Nature Conservation Society of Japan isdelighted to be working with HSBC to develop a local project that will help drive
greater adoption of ‘nature-based solutions'. This ground-breaking initiative will allow
us to better scientifically understand carbon sequestration t through the restoration ofplanted forests into natural forests in Japan and its impact on the value of
biodiversity and climate action. As part of this project, we aim to create a circular
economy for wood products for the local communities and improve the breeding
habitat for golden eagles which are facing extinction in Japan and number fewer than
500 nationwide.”
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HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. HSBC
serves customers worldwide from offices in 64 countries and territories in our geographical regions:
Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and North Africa. With assets of
US$2,959bn at 31 March 2021, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial servicesorganisations.

World Resources Institute (WRI)WRI is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with international offices in
Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa)
and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey
and the United Kingdom. Our more than 1,400 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexusof environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. More information at www.wri.org
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, active in nearly 100
countries. Our supporters – more than five million of them – are helping us to restore nature and totackle the main causes of nature’s decline, particularly the food system and climate change. We’refighting to ensure a world with thriving habitats and species, and to change hearts and minds so it
becomes unacceptable to overuse our planet’s resources.
WWF. For your world. For wildlife, for people, for nature. www.wwf.org.uk
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan
Under the slogan “A New Path for Tomorrow, With The Power of Nature,” The Nature Conservation
Society of Japan is an NGO who aims to value the diversity of life which supports all life including
people, culture in Japan and to promote its conservation, in order to realize a society in harmony withnature.
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