First SA bank to align itself with United Nations Global Impact initiative on water Nedbank,
Africa's first carbon neutral financial organisation, has also become the first South African bank to become a signatory to "The CEO Water Mandate." This programme is fostered by the United Nations Global Compact, the world's biggest corporate responsibility initiative.
The CEO Water Mandate is a public-private partnership mainly focused on developing strategies and solutions to contribute positively to the emerging global water crisis. Endorsed by CEOs – in Nedbank's case, Chief Executive Mike Brown - it seeks to engage a critical mass of companies from around the world that are willing to undertake serious efforts , in partnership with other stakeholders, to address this challenge.
Six key areas are covered by The CEO Water Mandate: Direct Operations; Supply Chain and Watershed Management; Collective Action; Public Policy; Community Engagement; and Transparency. In each of these areas, chief executives pledge to undertake certain actions which are designed to assist companies to develop a comprehensive approach to water management.
Having become Africa's first carbon neutral financial organisation in 2010,
Nedbank is also committed to environmental sustainability across its operations. Nedbank is playing a leadership role in promoting practices in vital areas such as water management and conservation.
Significantly, in its 2010 integrated report to be issued at the end of March, the group reveals that its water intensity reduction target of 5% by 2010 (from 2005% levels) was met by the end of 2009. A new target of a further 10% reduction by end of 2011(from 2009 levels) is now in place and and a number of initiatives are already resulting in a meaningful reduction in water consumption. Between 2008 and 2010, Nedbank's water consumption at its campus sites fell from 373, 935 kilolitres to 263, 876 kilolitres, a decrease of 29.4%.
Demonstrating its commitment to water issues,
Nedbank was one of the key sponsors of the South African Water and Energy Forum 2011 which took place in Sandton on February 14 and 15. This event attracted top local and international speakers and recognised academics and authorities who examined a the nexus of water, energy and food security and the challenges facing South Africa now and in years to come.
"The supply and quality of water are prerequisites for industry and for sustainability viability," said Brigitte Burnett, Head of Sustainability at Nedbank.
"South Africa is largely a semi-arid and water-stressed country. It is vital that urgent and ongoing attention is given to developing policies leading to action that will adequately manage water as a scarce resource," says Burnett.
The Green Trust, co-founded by Nedbank and WWF-South Africa in 1990, continues to be involved in a range of water conservation and water-related biodiversity projects throughout South Africa.
"As a recognised leader in the green space, Nedbank aims to be at the forefront of efforts to improve South Africa's water outlook for current and future generations," added Burnett.
Nedbank Group's commitment to Sustainability
In 2009, Nedbank Group became the first financial services organisation on the African continent to achieve carbon neutrality. Not only did this achievement cement the group's reputation as a bank committed to environmental issues, it also signaled the beginning of the next stage of Nedbank Group's ongoing sustainability journey.
While its 'green' commitment is a core element of this journey, the group takes an integrated approach that combines the four pillars of environmental, social, economic and cultural sustainability to ensure that its sustainability efforts deliver the broadest possible benefits for its stakeholders, the environment, and the communities in which it operates. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated and enhanced by the many awards earned by the group as well as its inclusion and participation in an array of indices and environmental initiatives, including:
Issued by: Nedbank Group Communications
Sizwekazi Jekwa
Senior Communications Manager
011294 1306
Sizwekazij@nedbank.co.za
Africa's first carbon neutral financial organisation, has also become the first South African bank to become a signatory to "The CEO Water Mandate." This programme is fostered by the United Nations Global Compact, the world's biggest corporate responsibility initiative.
The CEO Water Mandate is a public-private partnership mainly focused on developing strategies and solutions to contribute positively to the emerging global water crisis. Endorsed by CEOs – in Nedbank's case, Chief Executive Mike Brown - it seeks to engage a critical mass of companies from around the world that are willing to undertake serious efforts , in partnership with other stakeholders, to address this challenge.
Six key areas are covered by The CEO Water Mandate: Direct Operations; Supply Chain and Watershed Management; Collective Action; Public Policy; Community Engagement; and Transparency. In each of these areas, chief executives pledge to undertake certain actions which are designed to assist companies to develop a comprehensive approach to water management.
Having become Africa's first carbon neutral financial organisation in 2010,
Nedbank is also committed to environmental sustainability across its operations. Nedbank is playing a leadership role in promoting practices in vital areas such as water management and conservation.
Significantly, in its 2010 integrated report to be issued at the end of March, the group reveals that its water intensity reduction target of 5% by 2010 (from 2005% levels) was met by the end of 2009. A new target of a further 10% reduction by end of 2011(from 2009 levels) is now in place and and a number of initiatives are already resulting in a meaningful reduction in water consumption. Between 2008 and 2010, Nedbank's water consumption at its campus sites fell from 373, 935 kilolitres to 263, 876 kilolitres, a decrease of 29.4%.
Demonstrating its commitment to water issues,
Nedbank was one of the key sponsors of the South African Water and Energy Forum 2011 which took place in Sandton on February 14 and 15. This event attracted top local and international speakers and recognised academics and authorities who examined a the nexus of water, energy and food security and the challenges facing South Africa now and in years to come.
"The supply and quality of water are prerequisites for industry and for sustainability viability," said Brigitte Burnett, Head of Sustainability at Nedbank.
"South Africa is largely a semi-arid and water-stressed country. It is vital that urgent and ongoing attention is given to developing policies leading to action that will adequately manage water as a scarce resource," says Burnett.
The Green Trust, co-founded by Nedbank and WWF-South Africa in 1990, continues to be involved in a range of water conservation and water-related biodiversity projects throughout South Africa.
"As a recognised leader in the green space, Nedbank aims to be at the forefront of efforts to improve South Africa's water outlook for current and future generations," added Burnett.
Nedbank Group's commitment to Sustainability
In 2009, Nedbank Group became the first financial services organisation on the African continent to achieve carbon neutrality. Not only did this achievement cement the group's reputation as a bank committed to environmental issues, it also signaled the beginning of the next stage of Nedbank Group's ongoing sustainability journey.
While its 'green' commitment is a core element of this journey, the group takes an integrated approach that combines the four pillars of environmental, social, economic and cultural sustainability to ensure that its sustainability efforts deliver the broadest possible benefits for its stakeholders, the environment, and the communities in which it operates. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated and enhanced by the many awards earned by the group as well as its inclusion and participation in an array of indices and environmental initiatives, including:
- Equator Principles – first African financial services signatory.
- Financial Times Sustainability Awards - Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year for Middle East and Africa in 2010
- The Dow Jones Sustainability Index – one of only 25 banks worldwide and three companies with JSE primary listings included.
- Global 1000 Sustainable Performance Leaders Index –third highest ranked South African company.
- UNEP FI – signatory to the official statement on Climate Change and participant in various sub-committees
Ends
- The JSE SRI Index
- South African Carbon Disclosure Project Leadership Index
- Ernst & Young Excellence in Sustainability Reporting
- Carbon Disclosure Project
- WWF Conservation Partnership
- The Prince's Rainforests Project
- The Climate Neutral Network
- United Nations Global Compact – Caring for Climate Programme
- National Business Initiative Climate Change Working Group
- National Energy Efficiency Accord
- Banking Association of South Africa: Sustainable Finance Committee UNISA Climate Change Advisory Committee
- Nedbank also donates funds on behalf of its Green Affinity clients to the Green Trust- 20 year partnership between Nedbank and WWF- South Africa. This donation is made without incurring any additional costs to clients.
Issued by: Nedbank Group Communications
Sizwekazi Jekwa
Senior Communications Manager
011294 1306
Sizwekazij@nedbank.co.za
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