Number of loans for energy projects by HSBC worldwide 2016-2019, by sector

In 2019, the share of loans to renewable energy projects accounted for 100 percent of loans to power companies and 38 percent of total loans and lending made by the bank to the energy sector.

Since 2003, HSBC has applied the Equator Principles, which according to the sources disclosures "ensures that projects are developed and operate in accordance with good international environmental and social standards." Following an update in 2013, financial institutions that have signed up to the Equator Principles are now required to apply the standards to project-related corporate loans and project-related bridge loans, as well as advisory mandates.

The Equator Principles (EPs) is a risk management framework, adopted by financial institutions, for determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risk in projects and is primarily intended to provide a minimum standard for due diligence and monitoring to support responsible risk decision-making.