金融機構匯豐銀行30日宣佈一項為時5年、耗資1億美元的夥伴計畫,這項計畫是為了因應全世界氣候變遷的緊急威脅。氣候組織、看守地球、史密森尼熱帶研究中心及世界自然基金會這4個夥伴機構,將共同接受這筆基金。
匯豐集團總裁格林(Stephen Green)上午在倫敦新聞中心舉行活動開幕時說:「與這4個世界上最受尊敬的環境組織合作,並且動員全世界數千名員工成立綠色工作團隊,我們相信我們可以解決氣候變遷的成因及衝擊。」
廣播及製片家安特波若爵士(Sir David Attenborough )說:「現在若採取共同、果斷的行動,我們將能有所作為,可以有效地減少氣候變遷的成因,並大幅增加保護下一代地球生命的多樣性的機會。」
匯豐為這個夥伴關係所作的捐獻,將是這些機構收過最多的捐獻,這也是英國公司有史以來金額最高的捐贈紀錄。透過與氣候組織的合作,匯豐氣候夥伴關係將會協助5個世界上最大的城市:香港、倫敦、孟買、紐約及上海,來面對氣候變遷的挑戰。
氣候組織總裁霍華(Steve Howard)說:「氣候變遷是一個日益嚴重的都市問題。夏日的高溫、風暴以及海平面升高,都將會對城市生活有更極端的衝擊。我們只剩一點時間來採取行動。有許多解決之道其實就在城市本身,如首都、決策者、幕僚及人民的投入。」
匯豐集團的夥伴計畫設定4個目標,提供參與的環境組織各式協助。這些捐款將協助紓解逐漸增加的負擔,幫助慈善機構擴張這個活動至新的國家及研究基地,並且影響更多的人們。
The financial institution HSBC today announced a five year, US$100 million partnership to respond to the "urgent threat" of climate change worldwide. Four partner organizations will share in the funding - The Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF.
At the London news conference held to launch the event this morning, HSBC Group Chairman Stephen Green said, “by working with four of the world's most respected environmental organizations and creating a green task force of thousands of HSBC employees worldwide, we believe we can tackle the causes and impacts of climate change."
Broadcaster and filmmaker Sir David Attenborough said "We are not powerless if we act now, collectively and decisively, We can significantly reduce the causes of climate change and greatly improve the chances of safeguarding for future generations the spectacular diversity of life on Earth."
To initiate the partnerhip, HSBC will make the largest donations ever to each of these organizations and the largest donation ever made by a British company. Through its work with The Climate Group, the HSBC Climate Partnership will help five of the world's largest cities – Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York and Shanghai - respond to the challenge of climate change.
Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group said, "Climate change is an increasingly urban issue. High summer temperatures, storms and rising sea levels will have more extreme impacts on city life. We have a short period of time left to take action. Many of the solutions lie in cities - concentrations of capital, decision makers, opinion formers and population."
HSBC's Climate Partnership program sets forth targets and offers transformational support for the environmental organizations involved. The donations will help to deliver increased capacity, help the charities to expand across new countries and research sites, and increase their access to more people.
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