WWF vyzval finanční instituce k podpoře životního prostředí

30.5.2005
LONDÝN [WWF]
Autor: Amy Sims, tel: +44 148 341 2383

WWF is calling on financial institutions to be more socially and environmentally responsible, following the launch of freshwater guidelines by one of the world's largest banks.

According to WWF, HSBC is the first global commercial bank to release a Freshwater Infrastructure Sector Guideline, which follows its Forest Land and Forest Products Sector Guideline released last year.

HSBC’s latest guideline includes a recognition of the global importance of maintaining freshwater resources, uses the World Commission on Dams framework as a standard for good practice in the sector, and promotes the conservation of globally-important wetlands, such as Ramsar sites.

The guideline is published as the world faces a global freshwater crisis. More than 1 billion people do not have access to safe and sustainable water supplies and freshwater habitats and species are being destroyed or damaged even faster than forests or oceans.

“The banking sector has a responsibility to ensure that appropriate social and environmental standards are applied to projects receiving investment," said Robert Napier, Chief Executive of WWF-UK.

"HSBC has taken steps to manage its business footprint with the involvement of WWF, by developing responsible lending policies.”

While WWF feels that the launch of the Freshwater Infrastructure Sector Guideline by HSBC is a sign of a broader appreciation of corporate responsibility in the financial services sector, much more needs to be done by business to help conserve the earth’s resources for people and nature.

WWF will continue to work closely with HSBC to ensure the implementation and effectiveness of their freshwater guideline and urge other major banks and financial institutions to adopt similar policies.

NOTES:
• The purpose of HSBC’s Freshwater Infrastructure Sector Guideline is to ensure that the Group’s involvement in this area does not give rise to adverse reputational impacts, given the high sustainability (environmental and social) risks inherent in this sector. The policy outlines the engagements that the Group is prepared to support and those where an involvement may be prohibited. The guideline applies to direct lending or other forms of financial assistance to projects only.

• HSBC has invested US$50 million in a five-year partnership with WWF, Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), and Earthwatch. Launched in February 2002, Investing in Nature focuses on restoring freshwater, providing long-term education, and influencing policy on freshwater management in Brazil, China, the UK and the United States. The programme aims to restore two million hectares of river basin habitat, protect 20,000 plant species from extinction, and send scientists and HSBC fieldworkers around the world.

• HSBC will follow the World Bank General Environment Guidelines, the International Finance Corporation General Health & Safety Guideline in respect of freshwater sector. In respect of facilities involving dams, HSBC will also follow the World Commission on Dams (WCD) Policy Framework.

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