• Global Research
    • General Research Insights
    • Understand ESG

HSBC Sustainability Sentiment Survey

  • Article

Global approaches dominate

What are investors thinking about sustainability now? Our latest HSBC Sustainability Survey was conducted by Survation from 15 October to 19 November 2025, with a sample size of 267 professionals working in the financial services industry across the globe in roles related to sustainability decision-making. The respondents represent USD5.5trn in AUM across 243 institutions.

Global approaches to sustainability continue to dominate: Our latest sustainability survey results indicate that the majority of respondents incorporate sustainability into investment decisions on a global firm-wide approach, adopting a framework in which to also take local circumstances and markets into consideration. In addition, support for global standards in disclosures has risen even as calls for greater flexibility continue. Incorporation approaches highlight that integration and engagement are top among methods. We believe this is crucial when applying issues at all stages of the investment process.

Views on regulations and disclosures are divided: Our survey finds that investors want more oversight for corporates across sustainability integrity and better disclosures. In contrast, they find regulated corporate disclosures to be of less importance to investment processes, potentially due to the regulatory burden and the call for rule simplification (and it’s worth noting that, in Europe, we observe a decrease in those finding new rules ‘not helpful’, perhaps suggesting that stakeholders welcome recent simplifications). Regarding voluntary initiatives on sustainability reporting, a greater share of investors are finding them ‘not helpful’ to the investment process, notably due to developing compliance regulations.

On corporate engagement, results highlight that this has increased at the top end, with more respondents executing engagement activities than previous surveys. As scrutiny over sustainability issues intensifies and regulations develop, engagement is of ever-growing importance, in our view.

Sustainability funding is expected to accelerate: Over the next 12 months, the majority of investors believe funding for the low carbon transition will accelerate or remain stable as economies continue to prioritise developments and finance becomes an increasingly focused topic in climate discussions. Investors are looking to governments, development finance institutions, and private market investment to provide this funding, our survey suggests. Indeed, we observe growth in capacity for non-listed securities when it comes to sustainability-related instruments, indicating success in capacity building and the interest to do so.

Regional focal points vary: We observe clear divisions on sustainability approaches when analysing regional results, as Asia continues to focus on incorporation and North America deprioritises sustainability as a primary objective. Indeed, Asia ranked highest on incorporating sustainability into investment decision-making as well as having more funds with sustainability as a primary objective. In North America, by contrast, respondents say sustainability is less incorporated and corporate engagement on sustainability issues is reducing; indeed, respondents in this region tend to operate within one region with no global firm-wide approach to sustainability, potentially due to the diverging sustainability landscape in the region.

UK investors believe financing the transition is key: Our survey results find that UK investors believe financing the transition is the most material factor for driving the transition. Indeed, we observe that respondents based in the UK, alongside Asia, are the most likely to see sustainability as a primary objective and to prioritise incorporation of sustainability issues.

Gamechangers: Giant leaps for humankind

Most investors are taking a global approach to sustainability, with integration and engagement a favoured practice.

Find out more

For more information on gaining access to Global Research, ASK Research using the button below.