Nedbank’s Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) division is posing a critical question to South Africa’s business community through an innovative, moving billboard located on the corner of Sandton Drive and William Nicol in Sandton, Johannesburg. “Do you want a bank that talks sustainable growth? Or a bank that walks sustainable growth?”
The advertisement forms part of a new brand campaign launched in November 2021, focused on calling on stakeholders to partner with the bank in pursuit of sustainable outcomes. “A hybrid solar energy system has been utilised to light up the billboard at night and drive its “wind turbines” around the clock,” says Pepe Marais, Group Chief Creative Officer, at Joe Public, the agency behind the ad’s creative concept. “Ultimately, the aim of the design is to prompt corporates and society at large to rethink what growth should be about, and what kind of financial institution they want to partner with in achieving it.”
Explains, Tebogo Motsepe, Nedbank’s Corporate and Investment Bank head of brand and client insights, “Having been recognised as the ‘Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in Africa for 2021’, we wanted to further solidify our commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the targets set at COP26 and delivering on our purpose to use our financial expertise to do good. We then approached Joe Public to assist us in highlighting the next phase of our journey to a greener economy – going beyond just talking about sustainability in a narrow sense of the word and focusing on real, actionable, sustainable growth.”
Nedbank is proud to be a part of the winds of change, by leading the industry in green financing solutions. The institution was the first bank in South Africa to list a Renewable Energy Bond on the green segment of the JSE, providing extensive financial support for solar and wind renewable energy projects. The bank also introduced the first green additional tier 1 instrument in Africa, which is currently being used to support the financing of new green infrastructure projects in South Africa.
In addition, Nedbank has set several ambitious and stringent goals – particularly when it comes to a just energy transition- aiming to stop the funding of new thermal coal mines from 2025, and to exit all exposure to fossil fuel-related activity by 2045.
“There is no doubt that a post-pandemic economy has brought the power and influence of financial institutions and green financing to the fore”, adds Motsepe. “We will continue to raise awareness around the value of investing in instruments that support technologies or infrastructure that can help build a more climate resilient future. We are well on our way to ensuring that by 2050, all of our lending and investment will support a net-zero carbon economy.”
