Climate change a top concern
Thursday, 3 September 2009
FE Report
Global research results released by the HSBC Climate Partnership reveal that Hong Kong consumers rank climate change as a top priority in their lives, second only to global economic stability.
The HSBC Climate Confidence Monitor surveyed 12,000 respondents via the Internet across 12 economies (1,000 respondents per market).
Now in its second year, the Monitor asked respondents about their attitudes toward climate change, who should be doing more to tackle it and what initiatives should be taken to reduce carbon emissions. The survey was staged amidst the worst of the recent global financial turmoil. The Climate Confidence Monitor is part of the HSBC Climate Partnership, a five-year programme promoting environmental awareness and good practices worldwide.
In summary the global results found the economic situation has not dampened enthusiasm for government action towards climate change. Forty-three per cent of people chose climate change ahead of the global economy when asked about their current concerns, despite the turmoil in the financial markets taking place at the time.
The global results said in a clear call for resolution to the debate on emission targets, 77 per cent of people surveyed worldwide want to see their government cutting carbon emissions by their national 'fair share'1or more to allow less developed economies to grow.
"Twice as many people say that governments should invest in renewable energy (55 per cent) than participate in international negotiations on climate change (27 per cent)," the global results said.
Francis Sullivan, Deputy Head of Group Corporate Sustainability Adviser on the Environment, said: "Finding the solutions to climate change requires a concerted international effort involving governments, NGOs, intergovernmental institutions, the public and, of course, the business community.
The HSBC Climate Partnership is an example of how different types of organisations can work together and has already been a catalyst for change in how we do business."
The launch of the Climate Confidence Monitor is part of HSBC's broader strategy to tackle climate change. Alongside the HSBC Climate Partnership, initiatives include the Global Environmental Efficiency Programme, a US$90 million commitment by HSBC to reduce its own direct environmental impacts; the Climate Change Centre of Excellence which assesses the financial implications of climate change and the Climate Change Research Facilitation Programme which provides fund managers access to climate change research from a number of specialist providers.
Global research results released by the HSBC Climate Partnership reveal that Hong Kong consumers rank climate change as a top priority in their lives, second only to global economic stability.
The HSBC Climate Confidence Monitor surveyed 12,000 respondents via the Internet across 12 economies (1,000 respondents per market).
Now in its second year, the Monitor asked respondents about their attitudes toward climate change, who should be doing more to tackle it and what initiatives should be taken to reduce carbon emissions. The survey was staged amidst the worst of the recent global financial turmoil. The Climate Confidence Monitor is part of the HSBC Climate Partnership, a five-year programme promoting environmental awareness and good practices worldwide.
In summary the global results found the economic situation has not dampened enthusiasm for government action towards climate change. Forty-three per cent of people chose climate change ahead of the global economy when asked about their current concerns, despite the turmoil in the financial markets taking place at the time.
The global results said in a clear call for resolution to the debate on emission targets, 77 per cent of people surveyed worldwide want to see their government cutting carbon emissions by their national 'fair share'1or more to allow less developed economies to grow.
"Twice as many people say that governments should invest in renewable energy (55 per cent) than participate in international negotiations on climate change (27 per cent)," the global results said.
Francis Sullivan, Deputy Head of Group Corporate Sustainability Adviser on the Environment, said: "Finding the solutions to climate change requires a concerted international effort involving governments, NGOs, intergovernmental institutions, the public and, of course, the business community.
The HSBC Climate Partnership is an example of how different types of organisations can work together and has already been a catalyst for change in how we do business."
The launch of the Climate Confidence Monitor is part of HSBC's broader strategy to tackle climate change. Alongside the HSBC Climate Partnership, initiatives include the Global Environmental Efficiency Programme, a US$90 million commitment by HSBC to reduce its own direct environmental impacts; the Climate Change Centre of Excellence which assesses the financial implications of climate change and the Climate Change Research Facilitation Programme which provides fund managers access to climate change research from a number of specialist providers.