Climate Action 2011-2012

esponsible investment in this country,” Simpson explains,
“which is why we took it upon ourselves to develop an
index that specifically addresses the environmental factors
that underpin listed companies with a clear commitment
to green.”
Through this index, Simpson says that Nedbank is
demonstrating that green investment principles are far more
than just feel-good factors or compliance requirements
for businesses. Instead, they have the ability to position
organisations to adapt effectively to the fast changing business
environment which, according to the results of the bank’s
back-testing of the companies that have initially made it into
the index, generally results in outperformance against common
local benchmarks of organisations without a green focus.
“Ultimately, the point this index makes about
environmentally responsible investment is the same one
Nedbank has been making for a number of years through
its green products, finance and its well established support
of renewable energy initiatives,” Simpson explains, “that
environmental responsibility does not merely imply cost; it
can, and should, also deliver significant opportunity.”
GreeN GoalS
This philosophy of seeking out ways of investing in green
for the benefit of both the planet and the bottom line is one
that informs Nedbank’s view of the many environmental
sustainability challenges that now face South Africa as it
moves, inevitably, towards a fully functional green economy.
According to Whitfield and Simpson, this green
goal requires significant investment into infrastructural
development, renewable energy, and green industries. But
rather than, seeing these as costs, Nedbank is looking deeper in
an effort to identify and unlock the opportunities they present.
In fact, Nedbank is so committed to delivering viable,
performance-driven green investment and financial solutions
that it has an entire team of people dedicated specifically to
this cause. The Nedbank Capital Innovation Team has as one
of its key mandates to challenge conventional thinking and
Game Rangers working on the Rukinga
Project to protect the forest and game
and to work with the local communities.
develop customised solutions that meet the requirements of
Nedbank’s clients.
Comprising highly skilled and experienced professionals
from a diverse range of backgrounds, the Innovation
Team combines fresh thinking with established expertise
to deliver truly unique funding and investment solutions.
And while it is not exclusively focused on green innovation,
environmental sustainability considerations play a key role in
the team’s approach.
By combining this kind of innovative thinking with
bespoke products and solutions, and its established expertise
in the carbon and renewable financing markets, Nedbank
is well positioned to identify green opportunities and pass
them on to its clients, partners and investors in a way that
rewards their environmental commitment while, at the same
time, delivering sustainable benefits for the planet.
Jacoleen Simpson is Senior Transactor, Global
Markets, Innovation Team. She has been with
Nedbank Capital for more than six years, during which
time she was head of OTC Sales: Equity Derivatives
before joining the Innovation Team in 2009. Jacoleen
recently designed South Africa’s first Green Index, the Nedbank Green
Index, as well as designing green investment products.
Rukinga Project, Kenya – this
project recently became the
world’s first REDD project to
issue carbon credits.
It is preventing deforestation
of the Kasigau Corridor and
delivering significant benefits
to the local community.
Kevin Whitfield is Head of African Treasuries,
Carbon and Financial Products Unit, Nedbank
Capital. The business unit is responsible for the
identification, creation and management of new
business opportunities. Since 2006 it has been
pursuing the commercial development of CDM and voluntary
carbon project activities. In 2009 the unit gained responsibility for
the acquisition of carbon offsets that enabled Nedbank to become
Africa’s first financial institution to become carbon neutral.
Nedbank
135 Rivonia Road, Sandown
Sandton, 2196
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)11 294 4444
Web: www.nedbankcapital.co.za
www.nedbankgroup.co.za
79 climateactionprogramme.org