HSBC Global Markets creats a Climate Change Research Facilitation Programme (the Programme), in association with:
– Ernst & Young – Renewable Energy and Environmental Infrastructure
Advisory
– New Energy Finance,
– Risk Management Solutions (RMS),
– The UK Met Office.
As the potential impacts of Climate Change on investment portfolios are examined by fund managers globally HSBC Global Markets has brought together a number of research providers outside banking to offer highly specialist research from independent companies.
HSBC is placed to launch this initiative having already sponsored another multi party collaborative effort to help research the impact of Climate Change through the HSBC Climate Partnership; a five-year US$100 million program to provide support for: The Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF to inspire action by individuals, governments and businesses worldwide to reduce the impacts of climate change on people, water, forests and cities.
The need for this new Programme has been highlighted to HSBC through its meetings with global investment managers to discuss the HSBC Climate Change Index which was launched last September 2007 and built by HSBCs Quantitative Research Teamin consultation with Lord Nicholas Stern. This global benchmark index is designed to reflect and track the stock market performance of key companies best placed to benefit from the challenges presented by climate change. With over 390 companies captured globally the index has highlighted that significant industrial realignment has already commenced in the path to a low carbon economy and with this the further requirement for much more specialised research.
“Climate hange is set to be one of the defining investment opportunities in the years ahead,” says Samir Assaf, head of global markets, HSBC global banking and markets. “Companies are realising that they have to adapt to meet the challenges of climate change. In their investment decisions, fund managers base selection on the best research available, and HSBCs partners in this initiative are clear market leadersin their field. Fund managers gain one central resource for research and can be sure that this is the most comprehensive available.”
The Programme is open to all fund managers interested in independent research from specialist houses. The number of participants in the Programme can grow as new research becomes available.
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