What is ESG?
Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG, is a set of criteria that can be applied to how a company operates. When we talk about ESG investing, we're referring to the use of these criteria as factors impacting investment decisions and evaluating potential companies to add to your financial portfolio.
Sustainability is the cornerstone of ESG investing. The global economy is putting a spotlight on responsible investment, an approach to developing sustainable investment solutions that are focused on longer term wins shaped by ESG principles. HSBC has spent the last over 150 years serving the needs of a constantly evolving globalised world. We are committed to the ultimate cause of sustainability because we're dedicated to the communities and societies in which we operate, and to that cause, we champion building a better tomorrow for future generations to come.
Today, our sustainability strategy focuses on 3 main areas:
- Sustainable finance
- Sustainable supply chains
- Employability and financial capability
Ways to invest
Unit trusts
Why does ESG matter?
The financial world is getting increasingly plugged in to ESG development and as a result, we're seeing more and more companies incorporating ESG principles into their operations, instead of purely focusing on profitability. On an individual level, integrating ESG into your investment decisions creates a more resilient portfolio that will stand the tides of time. When individual investors, corporates and societies place ESG principles at the forefront, it's a win on all fronts that aims at building a better world and making sure the resources we have today will still be around tomorrow, all while unearthing great opportunities in the process.
We've been seeing tremendous growth in responsible investment, a clear sign that investors and companies are seeing the value of striving for social and environmental responsibility, in a bid to build a more sustainable future. The numbers speak for themselves.

Source: HSBC Global Asset Management, "Global Sustainable Investment Review", 2016
Examples of common ESG issues

Environmental
- Climate change
- Air and water pollution
- Waste management
- Energy efficiency
- Water scarcity

Social
- Human rights
- Consumer privacy
- Gender equality
- Data security
- Health and safety

Governance
- Board structures
- Company ownership
- Financial reporting
- Business ethics and culture
- Executive remuneration
Reasons to consider ESG factors when investing
- Mitigate risks: ESG issues can affect a company's value and financial performance, as well as influence share prices1
- Enhance potential returns: Companies with strong ESG metrics are more likely to outperform others2
- Provide greater opportunities: Companies that are robust at adapting to changing consumer needs and regulatory requirements are more likely to benefit from competitive advantages in the longer term3
Ways to invest
Fund Name |
Fund Code | Currency | Distribution |
Risk level | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAEUC | USD | Cash Dividend | 2 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAEUR | USD | Accumulation | 2 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAERC | CNY | Cash Dividend | 3 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAERR | CNY | Accumulation | 3 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAEAC | AUD | Cash Dividend | 3 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAEAR | AUD | Accumulation | 3 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAEGC | GBP | Cash Dividend | 3 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAEGR | GBP | Accumulation | 3 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAESC | SGD | Cash Dividend | 2 | Click here |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond | HAESR | SGD | Accumulation | 2 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
HECCS |
SGD |
Accumulation | 4 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
HECUC |
USD |
Cash Dividend | 4 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change | HECUR |
USD |
Unit Dividend | 4 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
HECCA |
AUD |
Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
HECCE |
EUR |
Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
HECCG |
GBP |
Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
HECCH |
HKD |
Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
HGSHU | USD | Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
HGSHS | SGD | Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
HGSHE | EUR | Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
HGSHA | AUD | Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
HGSHG | GBP | Accumulation | 5 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCBAU | USD | Accumulation | 2 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCBAS | SGD | Accumulation | 2 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCBSC | SGD | Cash Dividend | 2 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCBSR | SGD | Unit Dividend | 2 |
Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCBUC | USD | Cash Dividend | 2 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCBDR | USD | Unit Dividend | 2 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Equity |
HCEAU | USD | Accumulation | 4 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Equity |
HCEAS | SGD | Accumulation | 4 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCBSH |
SGD |
Cash Dividend |
2 | Click here |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
HCSHR |
SGD |
Accumulation |
2 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSEUA | USD | Accumulation |
4 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSESA | SGD | Accumulation |
4 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSEEA | EUR | Accumulation |
5 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSEAA | AUD | Accumulation |
5 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSEGA | GBP | Accumulation |
5 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSEHA | HKD | Accumulation |
5 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSENA | NZD | Accumulation | 5 | Click here |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
BSECA | CNY | Accumulation | 5 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Climate Change Equity | SGCCU | USD | Accumulation |
4 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Climate Change Equity | SGCCS | SGD | Accumulation |
4 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income | SSMEA | EUR | Accumulation |
2 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income | SSMEC | EUR | Cash Dividend | 2 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income | SSMSA | SGD | Accumulation |
2 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income | SSMSC | SGD | Cash Dividend | 2 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income | SSMUA | USD | Unit Dividend |
3 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income | SSMUC | USD | Cash Dividend | 3 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
SSMAA |
AUD |
Accumulation |
4 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
SSMAC |
AUD |
Cash Dividend |
4 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund | SGSGU | USD | Accumulation | 5 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund | SGSGE | EUR | Accumulation | 5 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund | SGSGS | SGD | Accumulation | 5 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund | SGSGO | SGD | Accumulation | 5 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Energy Transition Fund | SGETU | USD | Accumulation | 4 | Click here |
Schroder ISF Global Energy Transition Fund | SGETS | SGD | Accumulation | 4 | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
---|---|
Fund Code | HAEUC |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 2 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAEUR |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 2 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAERC |
Currency | CNY |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 3 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAERR |
Currency | CNY |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 3 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAEAC |
Currency | AUD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 3 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAEAR |
Currency | AUD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 3 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAEGC |
Currency | GBP |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 3 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAEGR |
Currency | GBP |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 3 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAESC |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 2 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Asia ESG Bond |
Fund Code | HAESR |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 2 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
Fund Code |
HECCS |
Currency |
SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
Fund Code |
HECUC |
Currency |
USD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
Fund Code |
HECUR |
Currency |
USD |
Distribution |
Unit Dividend |
Risk level |
4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
Fund Code |
HECCA |
Currency |
AUD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
Fund Code |
HECCE |
Currency |
EUR |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
Fund Code |
HECCG |
Currency |
GBP |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Equity Climate Change |
Fund Code |
HECCH |
Currency |
HKD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
Fund Code | HGSHU |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
Fund Code | HGSHS |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
Fund Code | HGSHE |
Currency | EUR |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
Fund Code | HGSHA |
Currency | AUD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF Global Equity Sustainable Healthcare |
Fund Code | HGSHG |
Currency | GBP |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code | HCBAU |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code | HCBAS |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level |
2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code | HCBSC |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level |
2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code | HCBSR |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Unit Dividend |
Risk level |
2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code | HCBUC |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code | HCBDR |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Unit Dividend |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Equity |
Fund Code | HCEAU |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Equity |
Fund Code | HCEAS |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code |
HCBSH |
Currency |
SGD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
HGIF - Global Lower Carbon Bond |
Fund Code |
HCSHR |
Currency |
SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSEUA |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSESA |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSEEA |
Currency | EUR |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSEAA |
Currency | AUD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSEGA |
Currency | GBP |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSEHA |
Currency | HKD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSENA |
Currency | NZD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
BGF Sustainable Energy Fund |
Fund Code | BSECA |
Currency | CNY |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Climate Change Equity |
Fund Code | SGCCU |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Climate Change Equity |
Fund Code | SGCCS |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code | SSMEA |
Currency | EUR |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code | SSMEC |
Currency | EUR |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code | SSMSA |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code | SSMSC |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 2 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code | SSMUA |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Unit Dividend |
Risk level | 3 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code | SSMUC |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 3 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code |
SSMAA |
Currency |
AUD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Sustainable Multi Asset Income |
Fund Code |
SSMAC |
Currency |
AUD |
Distribution |
Cash Dividend |
Risk level | 4 |
Details |
Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund |
Fund Code | SGSGU |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund |
Fund Code | SGSGE |
Currency | EUR |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund |
Fund Code | SGSGS |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Sustainable Growth Fund |
Fund Code | SGSGO |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 5 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Energy Transition Fund |
Fund Code | SGETU |
Currency | USD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details | Click here |
Fund Name |
Schroder ISF Global Energy Transition Fund |
Fund Code | SGETS |
Currency | SGD |
Distribution |
Accumulation |
Risk level | 4 |
Details | Click here |
Structured products
Structured products5 are investment products where returns are linked to an underlying asset with pre-defined features such as tenor, currency and payout calculation.
The underlying assets of structured products can include equities, interest rates, commodities, mutual funds and foreign currencies, among others. These underlying assets can be linked to ESG-related strategies.
For more information on the availability of these structures, please contact your Relationship Manager.
Green bonds
A green bond is a bond6 that uses its proceeds solely for the financing or re-financing of green projects. The issuer must also declare the bond to be green and commit to a level of transparency on how the bond's proceeds are used.
A green bond should be put together in line with the Green Bond Principles (GBPs), a set of voluntary guidelines created by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). According to these GBPs, a company does not have to be green to issue a green bond, but all of the bond proceeds have to go towards green or environmental projects.
For more information on our range of green bonds, please contact your Relationship Manager.
FAQs
Sustainability at HSBC
We're invested in the communities and societies we operate in, and committed to serving the needs of a changing world. This is why we recognise that economic development has to be sustainable so we can start building a better tomorrow today.
Our commitment:
- Provide USD100bil of sustainable financing and investment by 2025
- Source 100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with an interim target of 90% by 2025
- Establish a Centre for Sustainable Finance to provide thought leadership on climate change and the role of the financial services sector
- Reduce our exposure to thermal coal and actively manage the transition path for other high-carbon sectors
- Adopt the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures to improve transparency
Awards and recognition:
- 'Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Asia, Middle East and Western Europe' (Euromoney, Jul 2020)
- 'World's Best Bank for Sustainable Finance' (Euromoney, Jul 2019)
- 'Asia's Best Bank for Sustainable Finance' (Euromoney, Jul 2018)
- Three 'Lead Manager of the Year' awards across social, sustainable and green bond categories (Environmental Finance, Apr 2019)
- Number one for 'Integrated Provider of Climate Change' for fifth consecutive year (Extel, Jun 2018)
- 'Most Impressive Financial Institution Green/SRI Bond Issuer' (GlobalCapital, Sep 2018)
We publish regular updated information on our ESG performance. You can find more information about how we do business and how we approach ESG issues and events by visiting https://www.hsbc.com/investors/esg-investors.
More resources

Sustainability, the HSBC way
See how we're doing our part to build a sustainable future.

Your quick guide to sustainable investing
Learn more about responsible investment and the opportunities it can create.

Pick up our latest ESG insights
Get our take on the world of ESG and sustainable investing.
1 Source: HSBC, Sustainable Investments Introduction Guide, 2020
2 Source: Eccles G.R., Ioannou I. Serafeim G., "The impact of a Corporate Culture of Sustainability on Corporate Behaviour and Performance", Harvard Business School, November 2011
3 Source: International Institute for Sustainable Development, 24 September 2019
4 Please note that HSBC relies on the environmental, social and governance impact measurement criteria reported by third party fund managers and does not conduct its own due diligence in relation to such criteria.
5 Structured products are available only to Accredited Investors. Other eligibility criteria apply, please visit https://www.hsbc.com.sg/wealth/investments/products/structured-products/ for more details.
6 Bonds are available only to Accredited Investors. Other eligibility criteria apply, please visit https://www.hsbc.com.sg/wealth/investments/products/bonds/ for more details.
7 Source: HSBC Global Research, "ESG Playbook", October 2018
Disclaimer
Please note that there is no guarantee that:
(a) the nature of the ESG impact of an investment will be aligned with any particular investor's ESG impact goals;
(b) the stated level or target level of ESG impact of an investment will be achieved; or
(c) an investment approach which considers ESG factors will produce returns similar to those which don't consider these factors. Investments which consider ESG factors may diverge from traditional market benchmarks.
This document is for information only and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. The mention of any investment product or class of investment products ("product") should not be construed as representing a recommendation to buy or sell that product, nor does it represent a forecast on future performance of the product. The information contained on this web site is intended for Singapore residents only and should not be construed as a distribution, an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any product in any jurisdiction where such activities would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction, in particular the United States of America and Canada. The specific investment objectives, personal situation and particular needs of any person have not been taken in consideration. You should therefore not rely on it as investment advice. Any transaction that you decide to make will be one of your own choice and at your own risk.