Sustainability risk

HSBC has sustainability risk policies covering agricultural commodities, energy, forestry, mining and metals, thermal coal and UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Ramsar-designated wetlands. We also apply the Equator Principles when financing relevant projects.

Our sustainability risk policies help to set out our appetite for financing and advisory activities in certain sectors. They form part of our broader risk management framework and are important mechanisms for managing risks, including delivering our net zero ambition. They focus on mitigating reputational, credit, legal and other risks related to our customers’ environmental and social impacts.

For customers in scope of our sustainability risk policies, we will look to take actions as outlined in our policies, which, as appropriate, may include applying enhanced due diligence or financing restrictions. Such instances may require additional review and approval, including by our sustainability risk specialists and risk committees.

You can also find further information on areas such as our approach to the environment, climate change, human rights and modern slavery, including our sustainability risk policies, on the ESG reporting centre page.

Equator Principles

Find out more about our application of the Equator Principles.