HSBC announced Monday that it had invested $100m as an anchor partner in Breakthrough Energy Catalyst (Catalyst), a groundbreaking programme that leverages private-public capital to accelerate the development of clean technologies that will help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Catalyst is an initiative within the larger Breakthrough Energy network founded by Bill Gates, which is designed to support decarbonisation of high-carbon sectors via investments in four climate critical technologies – direct air capture, clean hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, and sustainable aviation fuel. These technologies will be crucial to the future of areas such as power generation, transport and heavy industry – all of which must be addressed to progress towards net zero.
With estimates that half the technologies that are needed to achieve climate goals either do not exist yet or are too expensive for much of the world to afford, Catalyst brings together businesses, governments, philanthropists, and individuals to invest in the clean technologies that are needed to eliminate emissions. Catalyst funds actual projects, not companies, focusing on what it will take to drive down costs and rapidly grow the adoption of climate-smart technologies.
Catalyst also focuses on bringing down the cost of production for products, such as clean hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel, thereby reducing the ‘Green Premium’ on these products and making them more accessible. HSBC’s $100m investment will accelerate the global net zero pathway and supports HSBC’s goal of achieving net-zero climate impact by 2050.
In addition to its $100m investment, HSBC will join the leadership council for Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, providing an expert view on the transition opportunities in some of its biggest markets, notably in Asia and the Middle East.
“To reach net zero, we need to reduce the cost of clean technologies so they can be deployed at scale and become more affordable and accessible for all,” said Bill Gates, Founder, Breakthrough Energy. “The only way to achieve this is through deep collaboration across public and private sectors – no country, company, or individual can halt the progress of climate change alone.”
Noel Quinn, HSBC’s Group Chief Executive, commented: “A small number of green technologies will reshape the industrial landscape of the world over the next 5 to 10 years. I am grateful for the opportunity for HSBC to be part of Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to accelerate their development and make them scalable. I genuinely believe this groundbreaking partnership can help bring these much-needed clean solutions to market and build a more sustainable world.”
Jonah Goldman, Managing Director, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, said: “By joining Catalyst, HSBC and our other partners are demonstrating they are taking real action and willing to make meaningful investments in climate critical technologies. These organisations are truly leading the way and the investments they are making will have a positive impact on global emissions for decades to come.”
Group Chief Sustainability Officer, HSBC, Celine Herweijer, added: “Brilliant green tech innovations that could transform heavy carbon emitting industries and transform the power sector already exist. They just need investment like this to become reality. That is why we’re backing Breakthrough Energy Catalyst. Our unique international footprint makes us well placed to advise on the global challenges and opportunities presented by the net zero transition, especially in Asia and the Middle East. We look forward to making a major contribution to the net zero journey as part of the Catalyst family.”
