Nedbank Green Economy Indaba: A celebration of the power of partnerships

Johannesburg - In a world driven by heavy industrialisation, technology and rapid innovation, the urgent need for a shift towards the green economy through the implementation of well-structured, sustainable, green energy plans and practices by many institutions in the financial sector stand as a beacon of hope to saving our planet. From the vast solar farms basking in sunlight to the graceful rotation of wind turbines against the horizon, renewable energy sources are reshaping the way we power our lives. This is not just a technological revolution; it’s a movement toward a cleaner, healthier planet.

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, financial institions, like Nedbank have not only embraced and championed solutions that solutions that prioritize environmental responsibility, but have also made this a part of their strategic objectives as a bank.

At the event, the bank showcased its commitment to its Green Economy Strategy, through which it aims to address key social and environmental challenges in the 4 key sustainable development priority areas of water, energy, waste and agriculture.

Opening the conference during the day, Kensi Nobanda, Nedbank Executive for Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs spoke passionately about a move towards a greener and more inclusinve economy. "We want to partake in an economy where sustainability is not just an option, but a neccessity for growth and success. For us, when we talk about a green economy, it is not just about solar panels or reducing the carbon footprint, it is about an entire economic system that addresses both the social and environmental challenges that we face as a country, as a continent, and the world.

"As such, our green economy strategy represents a transformative approach to solving many of the challenges that we face as society today and doing so by building an economic system that prioritises sustainability, inclusitivity, as well as resilience. But this is more than just a strategy, it is a catalyst for real change and a path that we need to take to together to overcome the issues of climate change, food and water insecurity, unemployment, as well as inequalty.

"By investing in these 4 critical development priority areas which are water, agriculture, energy as well as waste - areas we consider to be the building blocks of a sustanable future - we believe that as Nedbank, and our various sustability partners can make the greatest impact. By investing in these aresa, we are helping to create a future where economic growth, job creation and environmental stewardship are inextricably linked. This strategy also aligns with the global Sustanable Development Goals (SDGs), and reinforces our decication to a focused and deliberate CSI strategy as a way of driving positive change in South Africa."

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious 'Impact Partner of the Year Award' to Local Village, a social enterprise that has demonstrated exceptional achievement in community socioeconomic development. Local Village's comprehensive approach involves helping rural community members establish businesses and providing them with extensive training in manufacturing, business operations, and financial literacy, as well as access to markets for the products they produce.

Announcing the award, Nobanda praised Local Village for exceeding their targets, achieving a consistently high social return on investment (SROI), and being the green economy partner that employs the highest number of people, including those with disabilities.

Other notable awards during the evening recognised pioneering contributions by many of Nedbank's Green Economy Strategy partners across its 4 focus areas. These included: 

• Mishies Company in Limpopo for achievements in pollution and waste management.
• Pheko Group in Gauteng for advancing sustainable agriculture.
• Dziphatu Green Tech (Pty) Ltd in Limpopo for social innovation in waste management.
• Big Q Enterprise (Pty) Ltd and The Hill Trading in the Eastern Cape for contributions in energy and water; and
• Leano Agri Cop in Gauteng for contributions to sustainable land use.

The awards, which included cash prizes ranging from R50 000 to R200 000, represent Nedbank's ongoing commitment to supporting and scaling innovative solutions that address environmental and social challenges while promoting inclusive economic growth.

Nobanda emphasised the crucial role of partnerships in advancing the green economy agenda. "These partnerships aren't just meaningful; they're impactful", she explained. "Together, we're proving that strong partnerships can create a future that is not only environmentally responsible but also economically resilient."