Students tackle climate change

HSBC has partnered with the Ministry of Environmental Protection's Center for Environmental Education and Communications (CEEC) to deliver environmental education to more than 700 Green Schools in China over the next three years.

The groups are working together as part of the HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative, launched by HSBC Holdings plc and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international non-profit organization, to teach children aged 5-18 about the environment.

Green Schools are assessed by CEEC in line with criteria involving green building, energy usage and environmental education.

"The partnership between HSBC and CEEC is guided by FEE and aims to inspire China's youth to proactively tackle climate change," said CEEC Director Jiao Zhiyan.

The HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative, backed by a financial commitment from HSBC of $2.5 million over three years (2009-2011), will empower students to make decisions about how their school addresses issues associated with climate change, and enable schools to enhance their local surroundings, save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

It will involve HSBC employees, initially in 11 countries, who will volunteer time to help schools address a variety of environmental themes ranging from energy, transport and waste to water and biodiversity.

The partnership is expected to involve more than 400 HSBC China employees.

Students will join an eco-committee and help conduct an audit to assess the environmental performance of their school. Through consultation with the school and the wider community, pupils will decide which environmental themes to address and how to measure and monitor progress. The program will culminate each year with the HSBC Eco-Code Climate Competition to encourage sharing of the best practices and celebration of achievements with other schools around the world.

"Tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face. It is important that we equip our children with the skills they need to make informed decisions about protecting the environment," said Richard Yorke, group general manager, president and CEO of HSBC Bank (China).

(China Daily 04/27/2009 page10)