Sustainable Banking Services | Net Zero Emissions

The journey to net zero

The climate crisis has reached a turning point. That’s why countries around the world have pledged towards one single, common objective aimed at preventing the damaging effects of climate change from affecting our future.

We’re playing a leading role in mobilizing the transition to a global net zero economy, not just by financing it, but by helping to shape and influence the global policy agenda. It’s a pillar of our ambitions and of our strategy as a business.

Here are a few ways that we’ve committed as a group to building a net zero future:

By becoming a net zero bank by 2030
By supporting our customers as they transition to a low carbon future – especially in carbon-challenged countries
By accelerating new climate solutions
By inspiring our customers to invest to support positive change

Everyday steps to a sustainable future

The first step towards sustainability is to reduce the carbon footprint of your everyday activities. We looked at our customer journey and introduced measures to reduce the carbon footprint of our everyday services, while making our banking experience even more convenient.

Introducing you to our services

From your very first contact with HSBC, we've incorporated sustainability into the process. Here's how we transformed the process of introducing new customers to our banking services while supporting our sustainability goals.
Then	Now
Use of pamphlets and brochures as sales materials resulting in paper usage	Equipped our sales agents with electronic tablets to avoid unnecessary printing and paper waste. We are also shifting heavily towards digital marketing where most of our sales campaigns are online

From your very first contact with HSBC, we've incorporated sustainability into the process. Here's how we transformed the process of introducing new customers to our banking services while supporting our sustainability goals.
Then	Use of pamphlets and brochures as sales materials resulting in paper usage
Now	Equipped our sales agents with electronic tablets to avoid unnecessary printing and paper waste. We are also shifting heavily towards digital marketing where most of our sales campaigns are online

How you sign up for HSBC

Signing up for bank services is an essential part of the customer's experience. Here's how we've reduced the carbon impact of this process while simultaneously making it more convenient and accessible through significant investments in technology.
Then	Now
Signing up for a credit card requires you to fill in lengthy application forms and visit our branches for in-person verification.	Fully online sign-up process which completely eliminates the use of paper and reduces CO2 emission from having to travel to the bank or bank staff having to meet customers in person.
Signing up for a new account requires a visit to the bank and more paper documentation.	Sign up online via our state-of-the-art customer verification tool and the investments we have made in technology such as Adobe Live Sign, eKYC and Smart Forms have made us roll out a paperless onboarding journey. This further eliminates the need for unnecessary visits to the bank or wastage of paper.

Signing up for bank services is an essential part of the customer's experience. Here's how we've reduced the carbon impact of this process while simultaneously making it more convenient and accessible through significant investments in technology.
Then	Signing up for a credit card requires you to fill in lengthy application forms and visit our branches for in-person verification.
Now	Fully online sign-up process which completely eliminates the use of paper and reduces CO2 emission from having to travel to the bank or bank staff having to meet customers in person.

Then	Signing up for a new account requires a visit to the bank and more paper documentation.
Now	Sign up online via our state-of-the-art customer verification tool and the investments we have made in technology such as Adobe Live Sign, eKYC and Smart Forms have made us roll out a paperless onboarding journey. This further eliminates the need for unnecessary visits to the bank or wastage of paper.

Getting started with sustainable banking

From the moment you join HSBC, you will find that our services have been redesigned with sustainability at their core. Here's how we've used design innovation and paperless approaches to lower our carbon footprint.
Then	Now
Welcome kits containing printed brochures is couriered to customers. This results in paper waste and fuel usage by postage and courier services increasing carbon emissions.	Digital welcome kits are shared via email when the registration process is completed.
Debit and Credit Cards issued by the bank are made of single-use plastics which are difficult to recycle.	All cards issued by the bank are made from 85% recycled plastic, which is less harmful to the environment. HSBC Sri Lanka was the second market to introduce the rPVC cards globally, and the first bank in Sri Lanka with a recycled plastic card. Globally, the move from HSBC to switch to recycled plastic cards helps CO2 emissions reduce by 161 tonnes per year and plastic waste reduce by 73 tonnes per year.

From the moment you join HSBC, you will find that our services have been redesigned with sustainability at their core. Here's how we've used design innovation and paperless approaches to lower our carbon footprint.
Then	Welcome kits containing printed brochures is couriered to customers. This results in paper waste and fuel usage by postage and courier services increasing carbon emissions.
Now	Digital welcome kits are shared via email when the registration process is completed.

Then	Debit and Credit Cards issued by the bank are made of single-use plastics which are difficult to recycle.
Now	All cards issued by the bank are made from 85% recycled plastic, which is less harmful to the environment. HSBC Sri Lanka was the second market to introduce the rPVC cards globally, and the first bank in Sri Lanka with a recycled plastic card. Globally, the move from HSBC to switch to recycled plastic cards helps CO2 emissions reduce by 161 tonnes per year and plastic waste reduce by 73 tonnes per year.

Get your recycled plastic HSBC Credit Card

Digital banking that puts sustainability first

Fulfill your everyday banking needs while having the lowest carbon impact with our robust digital banking facilities.
Then	Now
Most banking transactions conducted in-person via visits to bank branches. This results in carbon emissions through fuel usage and paper / electricity consumption for processing transactions.	Digital banking services such as HSBC Online Banking and Mobile Banking services allow our customers to enjoy greater convenience while simultaneously avoiding unnecessary wastages. 85% of our transactions are through digital channels with a click of a button.
Bank statements sent via post or courier at the end of every month. This contributes to fuel wastage and unnecessary printing of paper.	We encourage customers to sign up for e-statements to reduce carbon emissions caused by printing and distribution of physical statements. 70% of our customers have signed up for e-statements.
Announcements, offers, and correspondence sent via post.	Most communications have been shifted to digital channels such as email, SMS and social media. This has minimized paper and fuel wastage.

Fulfill your everyday banking needs while having the lowest carbon impact with our robust digital banking facilities.
Then	Most banking transactions conducted in-person via visits to bank branches. This results in carbon emissions through fuel usage and paper / electricity consumption for processing transactions.
Now	Digital banking services such as HSBC Online Banking and Mobile Banking services allow our customers to enjoy greater convenience while simultaneously avoiding unnecessary wastages. 85% of our transactions are through digital channels with a click of a button.

Then	Bank statements sent via post or courier at the end of every month. This contributes to fuel wastage and unnecessary printing of paper.
Now	We encourage customers to sign up for e-statements to reduce carbon emissions caused by printing and distribution of physical statements. 70% of our customers have signed up for e-statements.

Then	Announcements, offers, and correspondence sent via post.
Now	Most communications have been shifted to digital channels such as email, SMS and social media. This has minimized paper and fuel wastage.

Learn more about HSBC Online Banking

Sustainability in your everyday life

Learn about how you can improve your own carbon footprint by making little changes to your lifestyle and making environmentally-conscious purchasing decisions.

How to make your home energy efficient

How to save money on energy

How to save money on groceries and waste less

Recycled cards: a more sustainable way to pay

10 ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save money

Environment Partnerships

Find out how HSBC Sri Lanka is helping working with groups to support the transition to net zero.

Find out more (PDF, 471KB) view environment partnerships terms and conditions Download link

Global strategy

As a leading global bank, HSBC is committed to reaching net zero by 2030, and has taken a step beyond just focusing on our network by shaping global policy agendas and influencing clients and partners to commit to lower carbon emissions.