HSBC pledges $100bn climate change investment

HSBC has pledged to provide $100bn in financing and investment by 2025 to help combat climate change.  

HSBC said it will facilitate financial flows to help boost support for clean energy and lower carbon technologies.

"This will involve direct lending, bonds and project finance, alongside new products in asset management," an HSBC spokesman said.

Over recent years, HSBC has helped develop standards for issuers of green bonds and has issued its own $580m green bond.

The bank has in recent years been keen to boost its green and ethical credentials with involvement in partnerships such as WaterAid, focused on the provision of safe water and sanitation in remote areas.

However, the bank has also faced criticism from environmental campaigners over this time with regard to financial support of logging companies in countries including Malaysia.

The board were forced to answer questions on this subject back in 2013 and how these loans fitted in with the banks sustainability commitment.