HSBC "suspends executive over climate remarks" - RTHK
A A A
Temperature Humidity
News Archive Can search within past 12 months

HSBC "suspends executive over climate remarks"

2022-05-23 HKT 06:11
Share this story facebook
  • HSBC's Hong Kong headquarters. The bank says it's committed to fighting climate change. File image: Shutterstock
    HSBC's Hong Kong headquarters. The bank says it's committed to fighting climate change. File image: Shutterstock
HSBC Holdings has suspended its head of responsible investing pending an internal investigation after he said central bank policymakers and other global authorities are exaggerating the financial risks of climate change, the Financial Times reported on Sunday citing people with knowledge of the process.

An HSBC spokesperson said the company could not comment on individual employees.

HSBC senior banker Stuart Kirk made the comments at a conference hosted by the FT on Thursday, drawing criticism from climate activists.

According to the FT, the title of the presentation – "Why investors need not worry about climate risk" – had been set two months earlier and had been posted ahead of the event on the conference's website.

HSBC CEO Noel Quinn said in a LinkedIn post on Saturday that his bank will not be distracted from its ambition to lead the global economy in the transition to net zero. (Reuters)

HSBC "suspends executive over climate remarks"