Climate Confidence Monitor 2009

• 22 per cent of Hong Kong respondents ranked climate change as their top concern in their lives after pandemic diseases and global economic stability respectively. Hong Kong has higher concern levels on climate change with a significant increase of nine percentage points to 45 per cent as compared to a 12-country average of 34 per cent, ahead of those in China (39 per cent) and India (42%).
• Despite an overall drop in the levels of concern on climate change among other participating economies, Hong Kong respondents showed increased concern for climate change amidst economic turbulence. 75 per cent of Hong Kong respondents agreed that addressing climate change is at least as important, if not more important than supporting the economy during downturn, this figure is higher than in France (74 per cent), China (72 per cent), the UK (58%) and the USA (52 per cent).
• Unlike the downward trends in other economies, Hong Kong is the only market where a biggest increase in confidence in what leaders and organisations are doing can be seen (up 10% in the last year) making it the second-most confident market behind China, compared to the global average of just 19 per cent.
• Whilst there is a growing commitment among Hong Kong respondents to low-carbon lifestyle choices, 67 per cent of those polled in Hong Kong say they would purchase an environmentally responsible financial product if it did not cost extra, it made a positive difference or when given choice. This figure is lower than other economies such as China (91 per cent), India (83 per cent), the USA (76 per cent) and the UK (72 per cent).
  
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The Climate Confidence Monitor 2009 sends a clear message to governments preparing to attend the UN climate change summit in December to agree on a policy framework to tackle climate change.

• 65% of global population demand governments commit to a climate deal. A stronger desire for action in emerging economies than in the developed world. In Brazil, 86 per cent and in China 75 per cent believe it is very important that a deal in Copenhagen is reached.
• 79 per cent want to see a commitment to 'meet or significantly exceed' a 50-80 per cent cut in emissions by 2050.
• Concern for climate change amidst economic turbulence: Seven in 10 people (69 per cent) agreed that addressing climate change is at least as important, if not more important than supporting their national economy during the downturn.
• Climate Change vs other global issues: 34 per cent believe climate change is one of the biggest issues they worry about today.
• Personal commitment to low-carbon choices: Commitment to reduce personal impact on climate change by adapting lifestyle choices rose four percentage points from 2008 to 36 per cent this year.
• Popular low-carbon choices reducing carbon footprint: recycling, turning off electronic equipment and using energy-saving light bulbs. People living in China, Hong Kong, India and France claimed to be most active in making low-carbon lifestyle choices.

• The Climate Confidence Monitor is part of the HSBC Climate Partnership's aim to raise awareness of climate change issues and to facilitate action to address them. For more information on the results of the research, visit www.hsbc.com/climateconfidencemonitor.

• The HSBC Climate Partnership is a five-year partnership between HSBC, The Climate Group, Earthwatch, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF. The partnership aims to combat the urgent threat of climate change by inspiring individuals, businesses and governments worldwide to tackle its impacts on people, forests, water and cities. Learn more