HSBC reduces energy use by 5.3 per cent per employee

HSBC Bank Malta has reduced energy use across its offices and branches by 5.3 per cent perfull-time employee over thepast year, according to itsfoundation’s report on corporate sustainability.

The foundation has planted more than 25,000 trees in Malta

The HSBC Malta Foundation has launched the first edition of its Community Investment Review, a report on its work for corporate sustainability.

Published in English andMaltese, the review showcasesthe wide-ranging and far-reaching projects in the foundation’s calendar.

Over the last decade, the foundation donated more than €3 million towards three central objectives: to improve the quality of life and education for disadvantaged children, to promote and work towards a more sustainable environment, and to preserve Malta’s rich cultural heritage.

In a major environmental initiative, HSBC Bank Malta’s premises are being fitted withthe latest energy-saving technologies as part of an €8 millionrefurbishment programme.

The foundation has planted more than 25,000 trees in Malta and Gozo and funded the Eco-Schools programme, the Xrobb l-Għaġin Nature Park and Sustainable Development Centre, and the afforestation project as part of Eco-Gozo.

Since 2001, the foundation has been co-ordinating Corporate Social Responsibility Day, bringing staff from various responsible companies together for a day of volunteer work in aid of charity homes. More recently, the concept of Volunteer Leave Day was introduced by HSBC Bank Malta, granting HSBC employees an extra paid day of leave in which to carry out voluntary work in the community.

The HSBC Malta Foundation supports various initiatives involved in caring for disadvantaged children and promoting education. The Malta Community Chest Fund and children’s homes are among the beneficiaries of continuous support for their work with children experiencing difficult life circumstances.

It also backs Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Malta and other educational initiatives which ensure that young people develop the skills and experience they require to realise their career ambitions.

Its drive to protect and enhance Malta’s heritage varies from the promotion of traditional arts and crafts, to professional restorative work on local sites of cultural and historical import.

Many embellishment projects have been carried out with councils around Malta and Gozo.

The Community Investment Review may be downloaded from the HSBC Malta website. Print copies are available in branches.