In 2018, HSBC initiated a partnership with Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab and Earthwatch Australia, to develop a ‘citizen science’ program to engage its staff and partners in tackling climate change. The 2-year program sought to empower HSBC staff to value nature and make smart financial decisions regarding investments that impact the environment.

The program focussed on coastal ‘blue carbon’ wetlands– which have been recognised as one of the world’s most effective carbon sinks. Research on these ecosystems has been limited by (i) knowledge gaps on their value, (ii) lack of awareness about their importance, and (iii) lack of integration between science, policy and practice. The HSBC Citizen Science Program sought to directly address these issues through a multi-sector R&D program whereby industry gets physically involved in coastal wetland research. While HSBC empowers its staff on climate change and green finance, Deakin’s BCL advances its research. High-level executive staff collect critical data to inform decision making and new markets based on coastal ecosystem services (specifically carbon sequestration via ‘blue carbon’).

HSBC staff manage $100bn sustainable finance. In an era of environmental degradation, water crisis and species extinctions it is critical that ALL corporate decisions are environmentally-savvy. By educating Australia’s high-level executives into climate-literacy, this program facilitated sustainable changes within organisations and empowered financial decisions that lead to a sustainable future.