Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1364335
2 NEWS 22.4.2021 HSBC Bank Malta and The Malta Chamber recently organised a webi- nar titled 'Business Plan for the Plan- et', which explored the importance of adopting sustainable practices in business operations. The webinar referred to HSBC's bold and ambitious plan to become the leading bank for the transition to a net-zero economy. HSBC Group is aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 and aims to help its clients reach this target by 2050 in line with the Paris Climate Action Agreement. All panellists agreed that sustain- able and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices are no longer an option but a must, and have to meet the demands and interest of various stakeholders. A sustainable change can start with small steps and be the driver for the success and growth of business in the long term. Perit David Xuereb noted how crit- ical climate change issues are in pro- viding a framework for a sustainable future. "Such initiatives provide hope in ensuring that the opportunities arising from tackling climate change are taken on a serious note to enrich our future, on both a local and inter- national level. As a nation, the tangible actions that are needed to be champi- oned to drive this change should be prioritised to make a real impact with the aim of a 'greener' tomorrow" said Xuereb. He also added that: "The Mal- ta Chamber has always been proactive in promoting business re-engineer- ing on all fronts to not only reap the benefits from a professional point of view, but also on a personal level as well. 'Climate restoration' although a matter of international importance, should be driven by ethical business morals first and foremost". Joyce Grech, Head of Commercial Banking, said: "HSBC Malta is em- barking on a dialogue with the busi- ness community on increasing cor- porate sustainability. We believe that the planetary ESG challenges will be solved when we make business part of the solution, not the problem. Busi- ness has the skills, operating systems and resources to make the changes we all need. Together, businesses and their networks around the world can mobilise to create the largest plane- tary change programme. At HSBC we have started this journey, we are now calling on our partners everywhere to get involved." A recording of the webinar may be found on the HSBC Malta YouTube page - https://youtu.be/FCMid- cuNSZE - and the Malta Chamber YouTube page - https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=f9kx9oSd8Gw The webinar was addressed by Per- it David Xuereb, former President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, Joyce Grech, Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Malta p.l.c., Sabrin Rahman, Head of Sustainability, Europe, Middle East and North Africa at HSBC Bank Mid- dle East Limited, Sibel Sirmagul, Head of Product and Propositions Europe, Global Trade and Receivables Finance at HSBC Bank plc and Hugh R Black- lock, Senior Manager of Transaction Risk Management also at HSBC Bank plc. APS Bank has added the 'APS Green Finance' facility to its portfolio of loan products. It follows the agreement signed last December 2020 with the European Investment Fund (EIF) marking its participation in the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy investment scheme. Under this scheme, the Bank had announced that it would be offering new products al- lowing customers, both retail and commercial, to invest in technology or devices to manage and reduce their car- bon footprint. e 'APS Green Finance' contains features such as longer loan repayment terms, subsidised interest rates, discount- ed fees, reduced collateral requirements and advisory ser- vices provided by European Investment Bank members. e loan will cover installations such as PV panels, green roof gardens, solar water collectors, space heating, efficient lighting systems and hot water or cooling gener- ation amongst others. Liana DeBattista, Head of Strategy and Proposition at APS Bank commented that, "In a world dominated by a pandemic that has increased vulnerability to hundreds of millions, the need to understand what is happening to our planet has never been greater. is is our opportunity to help make a difference by encouraging and facilitating further investment in projects that help create a more sus- tainable world." To learn more about 'APS Green Finance' please visit apsbank.com.mt/green-finance 'Business Plan for the Planet' webinar examines HSBC's bold and ambitious plans The 'APS Green Finance' is launched