One of the world’s largest financial services organizations is donating $50million (£35m) over five years to fund conservation projects around the world.
HSBC, which made pre-tax profits last year of $8billion, will give up to $18m to each of three charities – WWF, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and Earthwatch. The donations are the largest ever received by any of the charities.
The charities will use the money to help:
tackle pollution in three of the world’s major rivers – the Amazon in Brazil, the Yangtze in China and the Rio Grande in the US
save 20,000 rare plant species from extinction
train 200 scientists to work on conservation research projects worldwide.
HSBC chairman Sir John Bond said the donation showed HSBC’s conviction that ‘companies as well as individuals have a responsibility for the stewardship of this planet’. In addition to the cash, HSBC will allow 2000 of its staff to take part in fieldwork on conservation projects and become ‘environmental champions’ within the group.