Aligned with its global strategy focused on reducing the carbon footprint in the countries in which it operates and supporting the companies it serves in this transition, HSBC Mexico presented a few months ago the first edition of the “Leading Companies in Sustainable Innovation Award” . Companies of different sizes and industries registered their different environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.
After a review process of the more than 100 different registered strategies, an independent jury determined six winning companies and one foundation. The award ceremony took place on October 18 at the HSBC corporate tower, in the country’s capital.
During the award ceremony, Jorge Arce, president and CEO of HSBC Mexico, pointed out that the world is undergoing the most important transformation in recent years, for which the bank’s strategy is focused on continuing to advance towards its goal of achieving zero emissions. of carbon in 2030, and to inspire and support companies in this transition with financing.
“Aligning sustainable projects with financing is key: there is no way to reach the goals set as humanity if there is no tacit and concrete support from banks. For that, HSBC is a leader”, he stated during his speech. He also thanked the firm EY for joining forces with the bank in this award that contributes to giving visibility to companies that take the sustainable and social standard to the next level.
Andrés Fuentes, EY Financial Services Lead Partner in Latin America, said he is proud to share this vision with HSBC. The award ceremony, he added, consolidates the community that promotes change, with a call to action for more organizations to find solutions that generate long-term value, for people and the planet.
Leaders in sustainable innovation. The winners are…
The first winner was Grupo IMU, in the Environmental category with revenues of less than 250 million dollars (mdd). The design firm incorporates new materials in the production of urban and advertising furniture, in addition to promoting the proper disposal of disposable batteries.
For its part, in the same classification but of companies with revenues greater than 250 million dollars, Palace Resorts stood out, the hotel group with strategies that contribute to the mitigation of climate change, as well as the protection and conservation of habitats and biodiversity.
In initiatives in the Social field, Edilar won with its contribution to distance education, by training teachers during the most critical time of the pandemic. For its part, Grupo Restaurantero Gigante Alimentos led the classification of revenues of less than 250 million dollars, due to its commitment to decent work and the development of sustainable and inclusive communities. Specifically, for his work to avoid intermediaries in the coffee chain with producers in the Tacaná region, Chiapas.
Grupo Rotoplas was the winner in the Governance category. The company generates value by prioritizing its actions in four aspects: Institutionalization and governance in sustainability, Meaningful collaborative innovation, Promotion of socioeconomic development, and Protection of water as a future resource.
For the Inspiring ESG Strategy category, the award was received by Del Pacífico Seafoods, due to the environmental and social impact it generates in the fishing communities of Sinaloa, in addition to its artisanal fishing method. It was the first company in the world to obtain Fair Trade certification for wild shrimp, in 2016.
The Cáritas Puebla Food Bank received the recognition as a Foundation for combating food insecurity in vulnerable populations. Every month, it rescues nearly 1,300 tons of food suitable for human consumption and makes it reach 150,000 people in more than 250 communities. It also trains the people served on employability and self-employment issues, to achieve self-sufficiency.
An ecosystem that makes a difference in the business sector
Juan Carlos Pérez Rocha, Deputy General Director of Corporate Business Banking and Government of HSBC Mexico, in an interview, indicated that there is increasing interest from companies in incorporating sustainable initiatives into their operations. He also indicated that consumers are already beginning to make decisions about buying products or hiring services, depending on their sustainability strategy. He also commented that for a few years HSBC Mexico has made green loans available to companies to accompany their sustainable projects.
According to information from HSBC Mexico, in 2021 the bank participated in the financing of 2.4 billion dollars corresponding to projects with a green focus, with transactions related to foreign trade, issuance of sustainable bonds and thematic bonds, in addition to financing for the purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles in Mexico.
For her part, Mariuz Calvet, Director of Sustainable Finance for Corporate Banking at HSBC Mexico and Latin America, highlighted the importance of the different award categories, as they are essential in building a more sustainable business model.
