Many companies continue to view sustainable transformation as a competitive advantage, and banks can play an important role as strategic partners in this process. Anja Link, Head of Sustainable Finance & Transition at HSBC Germany, explains in a guest article how a well-founded transition plan can become a decisive lever for successful transformation and how HSBC supports companies on their journey.
Sustainable transformation as a competitive advantage
Sustainability has long been more than just a trend – it is an integral part of modern business strategies and a key driver of growth and competitiveness. This is clearly shown by the latest HSBC Sustainability Pulse Survey[1] which surveyed more than 1,600 decision-makers from twelve international markets: for the majority of companies, sustainable transformation remains a key priority. 95 percent of respondents see it as an opportunity to expand their business activities. 99 percent expect that a more sustainable approach will provide particular competitive advantages in the next three years.
Companies that are committed to sustainable transformation today are not only securing a competitive edge in the market, but are also actively shaping the economy of tomorrow. Already, 90 percent are actively integrating climate technologies into their transformation strategies—a clear sign of change.
Recognizing opportunities
The opportunities are manifold: decarbonization is driving global investment in clean energy, modern grid infrastructures, and battery technologies. Companies are benefiting from innovative technologies, new products, and business models, strengthening their resilience through sustainable supply chains, and achieving long-term cost advantages through energy efficiency and circular economy concepts. Sustainability is not at odds with growth—on the contrary, it is becoming a key competitive factor.
Shaping the future
Die nachhaltige Transformation bringt für viele Unternehmen tiefgreifende Veränderungen mit sich: steigende regulatorische Anforderungen, schnelle technologische Entwicklungen und wachsende Erwartungen von Kunden, Investoren und weiteren Stakeholdern. Klimabedingte Risiken nehmen kontinuierlich zu und werden durch fortschreitenden Natur- und Biodiversitätsverlust verstärkt. Entscheidende Hebel für eine erfolgreiche Transformation sind eine ganzheitliche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie, ein fundierter Transitionsplan und die klare Verankerung von Verantwortlichkeiten im Unternehmen.
The transition plan also has another important function, as it can be used as a communication tool with banks. In addition to the sustainability goals, it should show which planned activities contribute to achieving the goals, how they are to be financed, and who in the company is responsible for managing the plan.
However, it is not only companies and consumers who are called upon to act, but also regulators and decision-makers, who must create the necessary framework conditions for effective progress. Sustainable transformation is a joint task.
Banks as strategic partners
Strategic partnerships are becoming increasingly important. In addition to consulting and technological expertise, the provision of financial resources is essential to enable investment in new technologies, infrastructure, and business models. Banks and financial institutions play an important role in this: they act as capital providers and risk managers, supporting companies in reducing their CO2 emissions and promoting innovation and growth in climate technologies. Financing projects can be an important part of their own net-zero ambitions.
HSBC has set itself the goal of becoming a leading international bank in the field of sustainable finance and transition and supports companies worldwide on their path to a sustainable future. We provide in-depth market and technology expertise, scale innovative climate tech solutions, and connect pioneers and corporate clients in rapidly growing ecosystems. Our expertise and global network enable us to efficiently implement transformation projects and tap into new growth opportunities.
Conclusion: Sustainability as a growth driver
Today, sustainability is more of a growth driver than a risk factor. Sustainable transformation opens up new business areas, helps to achieve competitive advantages, manage risks, and supports the achievement of net-zero ambitions. Despite a challenging environment, sustainability remains a key issue for many companies and is developing into a decisive growth engine, not least thanks to innovation drivers such as climate technologies.
The author
Anja Link has been responsible for Sustainable Finance & Transition at HSBC Germany since mid-2023. An experienced banker and management consultant, she supports companies in their sustainable transformation. She has been working in the banking industry and management consulting for more than 25 years, previously working for UniCredit Group, among others, where she was responsible for financing large corporations and managing digitalization projects.
[1] Quelle: https://www.business.hsbc.com/en-gb/insights/sustainability/sustainability-pulse-survey
