Firms should stay the course on sustainability despite policy shifts: HSBC

Transitioning to a more sustainable future is a long-term journey, and companies in the region must stay the course despite shifting policies and sentiment, said HSBC's chief sustainability officer Julian Wentzel.

- Sue-Ann Tan

Speaking to The Straits Times, he noted that Asia is in fact accelerating its sustainability efforts, with banks like HSBC maintaining their commitment even as some US counterparts pull back.

In May, the bank launched the Future Industries Partnership – a three-year philanthropic programme to help climate-related start-ups access capital for sectors that find it harder to reduce their carbon emissions, such as chemicals, cement and mining.

The programme aims to help these sectors find solutions for safe, sustainable operations.

Mr Wentzel, who took up the role of HSBC chief sustainability officer in February, said: "No matter what is happening, we're an organisation that has been in existence for 160 years, and we're thinking about the next 160 years. And that is why we remain so committed to net zero by 2050."

He added that companies should avoid being influenced by "policy whiplash".

"You need to hold your path. You need to sustain what you believe in. And we believe this is important for our customers, for the societies in which we operate and critical for creating wealth for our shareholders because we see a real growth opportunity."

HSBC is doubling down on that resolve even after the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement earlier in 2025, when President Donald Trump took office.