Over in Asia, megabank HSBC has come up with yet another way to get more people to use more credit cards: with a feel-good green message.

The card itself will be made of PET G, a chlorine-free material, and the welcome pack for new cardholders and monthly statements will be delivered electronically to save a few trees. Cardholders will also enjoy discounts when using the card at designated merchants that offer environmentally friendly products or services.

HSBC also plans to donate the equivalent of 0.1 percent of cardholder spending to a program to install environmentally friendly green roofs at a number of Hong Kong schools. Leonardo DiCaprio was a guest at the card's official launch and commented, "What if every time we used our credit cards we did something good for the environment? HSBC's new green card allows people to do just that by leaving... a green mark every time they use the card.

"It is heartening to know that HSBC, as one of the leading banks in the world, is doing something for the future of our planet."

Sounds like he had some help from the bank's PR department when he said that.

Cynicism aside, I should note that HSBC claims it was the first major bank to achieve carbon neutrality in late 2005, and in May 2007 the bank launched a five-year, $100 million HSBC Climate Partnership with several organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund, to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Take a look. The program is actually quite impressive.