HSBC and UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development at Tongji University jointly launched the "Tongji-HSBC Leadership Program: Environment for Sustainable Development" on May 24th, 2010. With the theme of Shanghai Expo and Urban Sustainable Development, more than 40 governmental officials who are involved in environment affairs from 12 provinces and autonomous regions attended this 4-day’s Leadership Program. Meanwhile, renowned scholars were invited to deliver the lectures and media representatives actively participated in the discussion during this program.

"Tongji-HSBC Leadership Program: Environment for Sustainable Development", with the sponsorship of HSBC China, was initially launched in 2006. It aims to increase the awareness and cognition of environmental protection and sustainable development for the potential leaders to support the environmental protection in China. The Leadership Program, with the duration of four days, is annually held. Until now, we have successfully held 8 sessions of workshop, enrolling more than 250 participants from multi-sectors, including nationwide environment bureaus, non-governmental organizations, enterprises and media societies, etc.

On the opening ceremony of TONGJI- HSBC Leadership Program, Mr. Yisong XU, Vice Director of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Land Resources and Prof. Yunsheng SU, the representative of Mr. Zhiqiang WU, Chief Designer of Shanghai World Expo Park were invited to deliver the keynote speeches. They indicated that low-carbon economy is an indispensible choice for China. Great importance should be attached to environmental protection and urban sustainable development.
This year, the program is focusing on the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and providing the platform to discuss the practice and development of low-carbon cities. It will also conduct a field trip to Urban Best Practice Area in the Shanghai World Expo Park.
Meanwhile, Tongji University has officially announced the launch of Tongji-HSBC Project on Strategic Research on Shanghai Low Carbon City Development. The project, also sponsored by HSBC China, aims to analyze the low-carbon development in Shanghai, so as to provide the blueprint for low-carbon sustainable development in Chinese urban areas.