HSBC is a major global bank that has systematically weakened its climate commitments while continuing heavy fossil fuel financing that dwarfs its green lending. A 2022 ASA ruling found the bank guilty of greenwashing; it exited SBTi validation, delayed net-zero targets by 20 years, and lobbies against climate policy. Operational emissions reporting is competent; financed emissions accountability is nearly absent.
Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (7/10, 6/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Targets & Commitments (2/10, 2/10).
23 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
16 of 23 sources are third-party verified or public record.
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Among the 29 major financial services / banking brands we've scored, HSBC Holdings plc sits 22nd of 29.
Score history begins 8 February 2026.
As HSBC Holdings plc's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.
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HSBC Holdings plc is a multinational banking and financial services group headquartered in London with ~220,000 employees and $62.4bn revenue (FY2024). It operates across ~60 countries in retail, commercial, and investment banking, with a multi-trillion-dollar asset base. Founded 1865.
Major UK retail and investment bank with comparable fossil fuel financing and climate commitment trajectory concerns.
View breakdown →Global systemically important bank with high fossil fuel financing volumes and similar financed emissions disclosure gaps.
View breakdown →HSBC peer: Asia-focused bank that also exited SBTi and weakened climate targets in similar timeframe.
View breakdown →Major US bank with extensive fossil fuel financing, greenwashing concerns, and ongoing climate policy advocacy disputes.
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