Environmental sustainability
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'While Nedbank Group enjoys a well-established reputation for caring for the environment, we remain acutely aware that, to be truly effective, sustainability must not only deliver environmental benefits – it must also impact positively on people, communities, the economy, and the future of the country as a whole.'

Mike Brown
Chief Executive: Nedbank Group

We have a well-established reputation for environmental awareness, investment and action. But while our green credentials offer evidence of our commitment to caring for the environment, we believe that effectiveness in environmental sustainability requires an approach that also delivers positive social and economic consequences for SA and its people.

To this end we strive at all times to take an innovative and collaborative approach to environmental sustainability, thereby ensuring that we not only have a positive impact on the environment, but also remain a competent enabler and facilitator of financial and investment opportunities within the green space.

RESPONDING TO ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Currently there is an unprecedented number of risks that have the potential to impact on the future of the planet and its people:

While each of these risks, or megatrends as they are also known, is significant in and of itself, their potentially negative sustainability impacts are exacerbated by the fact that they are inextricably interconnected – forming a complex and unpredictable system in which a change in one can have an amplifying effect on the others.

The countries regarded as being most vulnerable and least prepared to deal with these risks are those with emerging and/or rural economies. This is of particular interest to us, as the majority of our business is generated in SA and we are actively expanding into the rest of Africa.

We recognise all these interconnected risks, and acknowledge our responsibility to help address them through our integrated sustainability commitment. We also understand that many risks can be transformed into opportunities, which is why our approach to mitigating the primary risks relevant to our organisation includes identifying the prospects they present for us and our stakeholders.

These risks, and the impacts and opportunities they present, are as follows:

 

ENABLING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

In an effort to stimulate green economy activity as well as to leverage the increasing number of environmentally aware investors, both locally and internationally, we are building a range of relevant products. The green products and services we offered in 2012 included:

Nedbank Green Savings Bond

The Nedbank Green Savings Bond is a fixed-term investment that offers flexible terms from 18 months up to five years, a competitive rate and guaranteed returns, while contributing to the green economy by assisting Nedbank to fund SA's renewable energy needs. The total Green Savings Bond balance at the end of 2012 was close to R1bn.

Nedbank Green Affinity

Our clients can support environmental causes through the Green Affinity simply by choosing to use Nedbank Green Affinity banking, investment or insurance products. We donate money to The WWFNedbank Green Trust on behalf of these clients at no cost to them. Nedbank Green Affinity donations to the WWF-Nedbank Green Trust increased by a 47% to more than R12,8m (2011: R8,7m).

Nedbank's BGreen Exchange-traded Fund (BGreen ETF)

Following the successful launch of the Nedbank Green Index we also launched Nedbank's BGreen ETF in December 2011. As it is based on the index, it provides a mechanism for environmentally conscious investors to access the Nedbank Green Index. The BGreen ETF had a market capitalisation of R119m at 4 December 2012.

Nedgroup Life also offers the Guaranteed Exchange-traded Fund Plan as part of its Secure Investments portfolio. As this is based on the BGreen ETF and offered through Nedbank Financial Planners, it is another way in which our clients can gain access to the exciting work we are doing in bringing environmentally driven investments to the market.

The Nedbank Green Index

The Nedbank Green Index provides an alternative equity benchmark for investors who understand the value of incorporating an environmental dimension into their investment decisions. It is consistent with the growing momentum in SA to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into this process. This is reflected in the latest amendments to the Pension Funds Act as well as the support of the Code for Responsible Investing by Institutional Investors in SA (CRISA) shown by local institutional investors.

eStatements

We continue to recommend to our clients that they convert to electronic statements (eStatements). This offering is available to clients with current accounts, cards, home loans, vehicle finance and personal loans. For every current-account client who chooses to convert to eStatements we donate 25 cents to the WWF Nedbank Green Trust. This money is earmarked for the support of projects on the trust's Climate Change Programme.

Solar Water Heater Programme

To enable clients to lead a more environmentally conscious lifestyle and to reduce demand on the overburdened electricity grid we have introduced a comprehensive solar water heater initiative, which includes the option for clients to replace burst geysers with solar geysers. The initiative was launched in 2011 and 255 Nedbank clients have used the facility to install affordable solar geysers in their homes or businesses. Nedbank is developing a similar proposition for staff to proactively replace geysers with alternative solutions.

Carbon financing

Carbon markets have been through a particularly turbulent time because of continued uncertainty surrounding the long-term international carbon commitments. Given our commitment to driving the green economy our Carbon Finance Unit will monitor developments in this area and respond appropriately.

Greenbacks 'green stream'

Our Greenbacks loyalty programme includes a 'green stream' that allows members to redeem loyalty points for goods that are environmentally friendly. To date 473 green products have been redeemed, with a rand value of over R180 000. The Nedbank Greenbacks Programme has grown by 15% year-on-year since inception in 2009 and will introduce small-business redemption offers in 2013 – a perfect platform on which to promote our Nedbank Greening your Business Programme, in partnership with BDFM.

LEADING THROUGH COLLABORATION

As one of Southern Africa's largest banking groups, we know we have the opportunity and the responsibility to use our influence to encourage others to maximise their positive impact. We therefore work closely with selected partners and interested stakeholders to build a more sustainable business and society. Key partnerships include:

World Wide Fund for Nature SA

Since we first partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature SA (WWF-SA) in 1990 to establish The Green Trust, we have enjoyed a close working relationship with the organisation that has unlocked numerous mutual benefits and helped to enhance our contribution to environmental sustainability.

In recent years this partnership approach has again been strengthened through our support of two significant WWF-SA projects:

  • In 2011 we committed to a R9m investment, over five years, in support of the WWF Water Balance Programme. The initiative is aimed at clearing alien vegetation at key water catchment areas around the country, thereby ensuring maximum water flow into these vital resource collection areas. A successful 2012 saw the clearing of 131 ha of invasive alien plants, the release of 271 000 kℓ of water back into the ecosystem and the creation of 12 366 workdays.
  • In 2012 we built on our growing portfolio of food security commitments with an R8,3m investment into the WWF-SA Sustainable Agriculture Programme. The project takes a partnership approach to enabling and equipping the country's farmers to become more actively involved in sustainable agriculture practices and more aware of their role as custodians of some of SA's most essential natural resources. In addition, the partnership sees WWF-SA working with our agriculture team for a better understanding of the social and environmental risks and opportunities in this challenging sector.

Renewable-energy Independent Power Producers Programme

In 2012 we continued our involvement in and commitment to the Department of Energy's Renewable-energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP). In 2011 Nedbank Capital provided the funding for 33% of the more than 1 200 mW of energy capacity represented by all the bids submitted in the first phase of the REIPPP.

In 2012 phase 2 of the programme was launched and Nedbank Capital was mandated to provide funding and technical input for 39% of the allocated megawatt capacity in this phase.

These projects are predominantly in the solar and wind power categories with one small hydropower project.

Our close involvement with so many participants in the bidding process places us in the privileged position of being able to contribute significantly to the development of SA's renewable-energy future and ensure that it unlocks many environmental, social and economic benefits for the country.

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

We were the first SA bank to join the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) in February 2004. The initiative is a unique global partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the global financial sector. UNEP FI works with some 200 financial institutions that are signatories to the UNEP FI Statements, as well as a range of partner organisations, to develop and promote linkages between sustainbility and financial performance.

In 2012 we continued as a member of the African Task Force and co-chair of the UNEP FI Water and Finance Workstream with a work programme focused on water risk identification, management, monitoring and reporting. We also remain involved in the Global UNEP FI Steering Committee and The Banking Association SA, and we are a member of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Workstream.

Further details about UNEP FI and copies of its various publications can be found at www.unepfi.org.

The Nedbank Green Affinity and the Wwf Nedbank Green Trust

The WWF Nedbank Green Trust's mission is to bring together environmental and social sustainability so that people can live and work in harmony with nature. After more than 20 years in existence the WWF Nedbank Green Trust has proved that a strong people focus is imperative for achieving environmental sustainability and for protecting the planet's natural heritage.

The trust funds projects in climate change, freshwater conservation, marine conservation, the preservation of outstanding places, the conservation of species of special concern and conservation leadership.

Since The Green Trust's inception, Nedbank, through the Nedbank Green Affinity Programme, has donated more than R130m in support of nearly 190 environmental projects throughout SA.

In 2012 we implemented the Nedbank Green Affinity Revitalisation marketing and sales campaign aimed at raising awareness of the Nedbank Green Affinity Programme. As a direct result more than 150 000 Nedbank clients were added to the programme during the year, and Nedbank Green Affinity donations to the WWF Nedbank Green Trust.

For more information on the WWF Nedbank Green Trust go to www.nedbankgreen.co.za.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

A significant part of our commitment to preserving the environment involves assisting and enabling other South Africans whether individuals or organisations to achieve, and contribute to, environmental sustainability in their home and work environments. As such we choose collaboration partnerships very carefully to ensure that whatever we undertake empowers stakeholders with the knowledge or the tools to make a conscious change to become more sustainable.

Initiatives in 2012 included offering the Nedbank/ BDFM Greening Your Business course to small and medium businesses, the quarterly Nedbank Sustainability Outlook that provides cutting-edge thinking in terms of sustainability to our clients and investment analysts, and easy-to-understand SANS10400 energy usage guidelines for homeowners, developers and architects.

Initiatives in 2012 included:

110% Green

This initiative of the Western Cape Government is aimed at mobilising citizens and businesses in the province to commit to environmental sustainability and take practical action to have a positive impact on the Western Cape's environmental and economic growth. As part of our support of the initiative we committed to giving small and medium businesses in the Western Cape free access to our online Greening Your Business training, hosting sustainability workshops and erecting vegetable tunnels at a minimum of 10 Western Cape schools.

South African National Standard Guidelines

A vital component of the emerging green economy is the compliance of residential and commercial buildings with the revised South African National Building Regulations (South African National Standard) relating to energy usage. As a leader in the financing and development of green buildings, we developed a series of guidelines to simplify and explain these complex regulations for the benefit of homeowners, architects and property developers.

Thought Leadership sessions

In 2012 we hosted quarterly Thought Leadership sessions, with presentations by various sustainability thought leaders. These sessions offered key staff and other stakeholders an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and thinking in sustainability, with topics covering everything from the green revolution and the role of cities in driving a low-carbon economy to the concept of breakthrough capitalism as a means of ensuring a more prosperous long-term outlook for all.

BANKSETA Sustainability Training

In 2012 we partnered with The Banking Association SA and BANKSETA to develop social and environmental risk and sustainability training for the financial sector. The object of this training is to provide material for banks on their sustainability policies, social and environmental risks and resource management.

The Nedbank Sustainability Outlook

Researched by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership, this sustainability publication is distributed to more than 100 000 readers with the aim of encouraging debate around various sustainability issues.

The Financial Mail Green Business Guide

We sponsor this popular guide, which recognises organisations that have a measureable commitment to environmental conservation.

WWF Earth Hour

We again participated in the WWF Earth Hour campaign on 31 March 2012 between 20:30 and 21:30. Earth Hour is the world's biggest mass action initiative aimed at addressing climate change. In the spirit of green collaboration, in addition to our own efforts to switch off as many lights as possible in our buildings, we also dared the SA public to show their support for Earth Hour by opening or linking their banking to a Green Affinity account.

Nedbank Green Wine Awards

For the second year in a row we partnered with Getaway Magazine to host the 2012 Nedbank Green Wine Awards. The main purpose of the awards is to recognise the quality of wines made from organically grown grapes and honour those wine producers that strive to put the sustainability of the planet first.

In 2012 we expanded the awards by introducing a WWF Biodiversity and Wine Initiative wine category to recognise the massive strides made in conserving our environment and natural resources, while producing greener and better wines. A total of 190 wines were judged by a distinguished panel of experts led by internationally renowned wine judge Fiona McDonald.

The winners for 2012 were:

  • Wines made from Organically Grown Grapes
    • Best wine overall: Reyneke Reserve Red 2009;
    • Best red: Reyneke Reserve Red 2009;
    • Best white: Reyneke Chenin Blanc 2011;
    • Best value: Stellar Winery Live-a-Little Really Ravishing Red;
    • Bloggers' choice: Green Shebeen Cabernet Sauvignon 2010.
  • Best Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Wines
    • Best wine overall: Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2012;
    • Best red: Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2011;
    • Best white: Gabriëlskloof Magdalena 2010;
    • Best value: Wedderwill 12ºC 2010;
    • Bloggers' choice: Gabriëlskloof Magdalena 2010.
  • Best Conservation and Environmental Good Practice Awards
    • Overall winner: Innovative Leader in Conservation and Environmental Good Practice Award: Spier;
    • Runners-up: La Motte, Cloof/ Burgherspost and Waverley Hills (tied);
    • Best Contribution to Water Management: Waverley Hills;
    • Best Contribution to Energy Efficiency: Bartinney;
    • Best Contribution to Cape Winelands Eco-Tourism and Conservation: Cloof/ Burgherspost;
    • Best Contribution to Environmental Initiatives and Awareness Programmes: Spier.

CASE STUDY

MENLYN MAINE: THIRD GREEN-STAR RATED BUILDING OCCUPIED BY NEDBANK

In July 2012, Nedbank officially opened its Menlyn Maine building, bringing to three the number of Nedbank occupied buildings that have received a 4-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of SA.

The building, which serves as Nedbank's regional headoffice in Pretoria, forms part of the Menlyn Maine development – SA's first ever 'green' precinct and one of only 16 areas worldwide to be listed in the Clinton Climate Initiative as a green city development.

Measuring 16 400 square metres, Nedbank Menlyn Maine allowed the group to consolidate the 16 premises it previously occupied across the city of Tshwane, thereby significantly lowering the carbon impact of its operations in this region.

In keeping with Nedbank's aspiration to be a 'green' leader in SA, the bank was integrally involved in the design of the building to ensure that its construction and operation would have as little impact on the environment as possible. Green principles were diligently applied throughout in an effort to not only create a great place to work, but one in which a culture of living harmoniously with the environment could be fostered.

As a result, the Nedbank Menlyn Maine building boasts a vast array of green design and construction features, ranging from intelligent, energy efficient lighting and automated air quality monitoring systems that deliver fresh air without the need for mechanical air-conditioning to low-flow taps, dual flush toilets and various innovative water collection, storage, and distribution systems.

To encourage greener living and working, there is also a dedicated recycling centre in the precinct, which is fed by sort-at-source recycling bins throughout the building. Designated parking bays for hybrid vehicles and full bicycle facilities encourage the use of low-carbon transport options by staff.

Even the construction of the building was planet friendly, with all materials used either being fully recyclable or made from recycled material. Wherever possible, these materials were also sourced from suppliers within a 400km radius of the building site to further minimise carbon emissions related to its construction.

Managing our impact

Carbon Neutrality

When we achieved carbon neutrality in 2010, not only were we the first financial services organisation in Africa to do so, but it also had the effect of propelling us into the next important phase of our environmental sustainability journey. The achievement also propelled us towards our vision of becoming a leader and driver of sustainability in SA and further afield.

In the years since we achieved carbon neutrality we have been able to leverage this position to enhance our client value proposition, contribute to the development of SA's green economy, and unlock numerous synergies and partnerships through close collaboration with like-minded organisations.

Importantly, our annual approach to carbon neutrality is to reduce first and then offset. Footprint reductions are achieved through internal behavioural changes and clearly defined reduction targets in terms of paper, water, electricity, waste, travel and carbon emissions.

We obtained the carbon credits required to offset our 2012 footprint from projects throughout Africa that are delivering benefits for the continent's natural resources as well as its people and communities. These include:

  • The Rukinga Project;
  • The Kibale National Park (Uganda) Natural High Forest Rehabilitation Project;
  • Reliance Compost;
  • eThekwini Landfill Methane Project; and
  • Hout Bay Recycling Centre.

It is important to note that there are very few projects with verifiable carbon credits and social upliftment benefits. This has limited the types of projects that we have been able to invest in, particularly within SA.

The Rukinga Project

The Rukinga Project in Kenya's Kasigau Corridor was the world's first Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) project to issue carbon credits. In 2012 we continued our association with and support of this project, which is helping to prevent the deforestation of this eco-sensitive region while delivering massive economic and social upliftment benefits to local communities.

Natural High Forest Rehabilitation Project

As one of the last remaining tropical forests in Uganda, Kibale National Park hosts the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa. It is also home to at least 350 tree species. Quantifying and valuing carbon emissions that are avoided as a result of the project enable revenue generation through the sale of voluntary carbon units (VCUs). Our support of this project facilitates the work of reforesting approximately 10 000 ha of the park, thereby restoring its biodiversity and increasing carbon stocks. The project also educates local communities, promotes appropriate land management and creates employment.

Reliance Compost (Pty) Ltd

This SA company has been operating a composting organic waste process for a number of years. Since it registered a carbon project for the business activities, income from sales of carbon credits has enhanced the financial performance of the company and allowed it to continue providing employment opportunities and contributing to education, environmental awareness and the other local community projects it supports.

eThekwini Landfill Methane Project

In 2012 we were pleased to be able to include emission offsets generated by renewable-energy power generation using gas harvested from a landfill. Not only does this support demonstrate our commitment to working with municipal and provincial governments and the national government in promoting renewable energy, but it is also an example of our ongoing financial commitment to SA projects aimed at combating climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Hout Bay Recycling Co-op

This SA cooperative is responsible for managing waste collection, sorting waste and remunerating 'waste-pickers' active at its site in Hout Bay's Imizamo Yethu community. This project is under the mentorship of Thrive (formerly the 3Rs) and Trashback. The income generated goes towards improving the livelihood of employees, acquiring essential equipment, enhancing business efficiency and promoting project awareness.

REDUCTION TARGETS

We recognise reduction targets as an effective and accurate way to measure and manage our carbon emissions as well as our impact on other vital resources. The clearly defined targets also ensure full transparency in our reporting on our reduction efforts and overall greenhouse gases (GHG).

The reduction targets – particularly those aimed at carbon intensity management – are integral to the assessment of our performance during each financial period. Performance against these targets is monitored and documented on a monthly basis by a dedicated task team. This team also uses the results of its target performance measurement to raise awareness and promote ways of accelerating target achievement.

DEVELOPMENTS AROUND TARGETS IN 2012

During the 2012 financial year we achieved the following in terms of our intensity reduction efforts:

Carbon Emissions

Our total GHG emissions increased by 3,83% for the year under review. The emission rate per FTE also increased by 1,8% from 7,74 tCO2e per FTE to 7,89 tCO2e per FTE, but decreased by 3,84% based on floor space to 0,34 tCO2e/m2. The increase per FTE was the result of the continued organic growth and our continuing efforts to expand the scope of our GHG reporting while simultaneously reducing our environmental impact. The positive impact of this approach can be seen in our reduction in electricity consumption per FTE by 0,67% to 5 801 kWh for 2012.

Energy

Approximately 73% of our carbon footprint is the result of electricity usage. We therefore make every effort to reduce our energy consumption through active intervention, staff education and focused investment. In 2012 we achieved an overall energy usage reduction of 0,67% per FTE and a year-on-year reduction of 1,5% at the campus sites owned by us. From this it can be deduced that buildings owned and managed by us are outperforming leased space from an energy intensity reduction point of view.

During 2012 we invested a total of R8,4m into specific initiatives aimed at reducing electricity usage. These included the continued use and rollout of occupancy sensors to regulate the use of lighting within office spaces, upgrading of light fittings to energy-saving units and regulated usage of decentralised airconditioning systems.

Waste and Recycling

Waste and Recycling

In addition to our paper recycling activity, we continue to encourage and enable employees to dispose safely of compact fluorescent lamps, batteries and printer cartridges by placing accessible collection boxes at all campus sites. As a result of these initiatives, and the continued recycling drive across the group, general waste sent to landfills in 2012 amounted to 372P tonnes or 21 kg per FTE, which is down from the 23 kg per FTE recorded in 2011.

Nedbank Group Property Services continues to drive cost savings through the effective use of recycling practices, the implementation of food waste disposal units and the use of vegetable gardens and worm farms at staff canteens and kitchens at a number of campus sites.

In 2012, 60% of all our waste was recycled (2012: 557 tonnesP), which amounted to an increase of 5,4% at campus sites. An overall mass balance exercise will be undertaken in 2013 to investigate whether recycling can be expected to decrease in the future years as less material enters our buildings.

Water

Water

In 2012 we added more campus sites to our water consumption assessments, while various other buildings were consolidated into many of those campus sites. The result is that total water consumption on campus sites increased from 266 316kℓ in 2011 to 292 325kℓP in 2012. Noncampus water usage, however, decreased because of the consolidation of facilities.

Our water usage per FTE increased from 15,97kℓ per FTE in 2011 to 16,52 kℓ per FTE in 2012 – as these campus sites are not fully occupied yet. However, if we compare 2011 campus water usage with the same sites in 2012, an absolute reduction of 2,2% was achieved.

This achievement was driven primarily through continued staff awareness of our water stewardship responsibilities, the installation of more watersaving devices such as hydrotaps and aerators, and the collection and use of rainwater and recycled water for non-potable water requirements. For more information on our water activities with the WWF refer to page 22.

Environmental Expenditure

In the 2012 financial year we invested R80,2m (2011: R61,2m) in a vast range of environmental initiatives, the most significant of which were carbon credit offsets (2012: R16,5m; 2011: R15m), energy efficiency initiatives, marketing associated with revitalising The Green Trust and investment in the WWF Agricultural Programme.

Business Travel

We have a detailed Business Travel Policy that includes comprehensive green travel guidelines to limit business travel and promote the use of teleand videoconferencing.

In 2012 overall business travel increased by 61% based on GHG emissions. It is important to note that the majority of this increase can be attributed to an increase in staff travel claims related to own-vehicle use. Particular focus is now being placed on ensuring that staff travel claims are captured accurately.

 

Nedbank Intoduces ECO wask car cleaning facilities

With more than 28 000 employees across the country, many of whom use their personal vehicles to get to work, Nedbank Group's onsite carwash facilities are well supported. However, traditional car-cleaning processes are typically very water and chemical intensive. So as part of our greater focus on water stewardship and environmental sustainability, Nedbank Group introduced an innovative and water-wise carwash system at two of our buildings in 2012.

The Eco Wash system combines innovative car washing and waxing technology with biodegradable cleaning products to deliver a worldclass vehicle-cleaning process that is environmentally friendly and uses less than one litre of water per wash. The pilot proved an instant hit with over 980 vehicles cleaned at just one site in just 6 months and a huge amount of water saved.

Based on the popularity and success of the Eco Wash pilot, a tender process is currently under way for the introduction of similar water-wise vehicle-washing systems at other Nedbank offices across the country.

CARBON FOOTPRINT MEASUREMENT

In absolute terms our overall reported GHG emissions increased by 3,83% year-on-year from 2011 to 2012. Carbon emissions per FTE increased year-on-year by 1,8% to 7,89 tCO2e per annum, but emissions per m2 of office space decreased by 3,84% to 0,34 tCO2e per annum.

The GHG increases can be attributed to our continued efforts to expand our overall GHG reporting scope and boundary, while simultaneously focusing efforts on reducing our environmental impact. As in 2011, there was a continued increase in reporting detail in 2012 for our SA and non-SA facilities and operations. In 2012 we also undertook a big drive to increase the accuracy of non-SA business-reported electricity as well as SA staff travel claims.

 

 

Scope 1 emissions

Reported scope 1 emissions from refrigerants increased by 26% year-on-year. This was mainly due to maintenance requirements and the addition of new campus sites. We continue our efforts to ensure that as little refrigerant gas as possible is used and/or replaced. Emissions from all scope 1 activities remained below 0,5% of total emissions. It is also important to note that, for ease of interpretation, the refrigerants previously accounted for as Non-Kyoto Protocol GHG emissions were moved to scope 1 emissions.

Diesel used in generators decreased by 1% despite more campus sites and retail facilities being introduced.

Scope 2 emissions

Approximately 73% of the total GHG emissions reported for 2012 are from purchases of third-party electricity generation. This is in line with what was reported in previous years.

We continue to target reduced energy consumption and are pleased to report a year-on-year reduction of 4,75%* in the total energy consumed by our SA regional and headoffice sites. This is on an adjusted baseline that includes Phase II. These sites are owned by us, which implies that more advanced and costly technologies can be implemented than would be the case with leased properties, where as a tenant we have less leeway in terms of alterations.
* This compares the 2011 campus sites with the same campus sites in 2012. It is acknowledged that in 2012 additional campus sites were added.

Scope 3 emissions

Approximately 27% of the total 2012 GHG emissions arose from reported scope 3 activities, but more than 18% was from staff commuting. Going forward scope 3 staff commuting emissions will be highlighted separately, as these are not under our direct control. Approximately 7% of the scope 3 emissions originated from staff business travel with 1,6% from third-party manufacturing of office paper.

 

 

GREENING OUR SUPPLY CHAIN

In 2012 our various procurement functions across Nedbank Group continued to work closely with our suppliers to promote and enable greater environmental sustainability across our supply chain. The tendering and engagement sessions started in 2011 continued, with a particular focus on influencing suppliers to incorporate greater levels of environmental sustainability into their strategies and operations. At these sessions our representatives shared our sustainability journey, learnings and benefits to encourage similar actions and behaviours among suppliers.

During the year under review we also continued to build on the foundations that were laid in 2011 in terms of making sustainability considerations part of procurement decisions and processes. This requires that vendors demonstrate more than mere environmental sustainability awareness, but that they are able to show compliance with, or commitment to, the entrenchment of environmental considerations and practices in their business models.

In 2012 sustainability assessments of the top 300 Nedbank Group suppliers (representing approximately 85% of total group spend) showed that 15% have formal environmental policies in place and 31% are actively recycling. In 2013 we will be actively working with these suppliers to improve the commitment demonstrated by them to environmental sustainability. Further detail on specific work undertaken with specific suppliers is available in the supplementary information online.

The success in terms of sustainability partnering achieved with international information technology suppliers in past years was extended to local suppliers during 2011 and accelerated during 2012. We have concentrated on relationships with manufacturing and services vendors, and success has been achieved with vendors contracted for the construction and establishment of new branches and lobbies, as well as the upgrading of existing branches.

Each commodity specialist within the Group Procurement Division now has sustainability as an integral element of his or her performance scorecards, prompting careful consideration of environmental factors in all supplier engagements.

The 2012 procurement and supplier initiatives aimed at greening our supply chain included:

Furniture and buildings

All new desks purchased in 2012 were manufactured using Forestry Stewardship Councilaccredited wood. The majority of chairs and carpets acquired are made from recyclable materials. The newly introduced 'link chairs' are 98% recyclable, which is the highest recyclable product level achieved by any supplier to us thus far.

All tenants in Nedbank Group-owned buildings are required to agree and adhere to our environmental approach in terms of water, electricity and waste management.

Hotels

We continue to partner with hotels used by our staff traveling for business in an effort to encourage sound environmental practices and policies, particularly water usage reduction initiatives. Another outcome of these partnerships has been a number of hotel sustainability initiatives such as the planting of organic gardens and greater use of local food suppliers.

Car rental

In 2012 we introduced a third preferred car rental supplier. All three suppliers are encouraged to introduce more efficient vehicles into their fleets. During the year under review a pilot initiative to introduce group G vehicles proved very successful, delivering cost savings through fuel economy and enabling us to cut carbon emissions by more than 40% when compared to group B vehicle use.

Group G vehicles have now been included in the catalogue of vehicles that employees may hire for business travel and our staffmembers are encouraged to select these vehicles wherever possible.

Air travel

We continue to engage with the airlines we use in an effort to help them reduce their, and our, carbon footprint. Airlines provide us with regular progress reports on fuel reductions achieved and other improved processes that might deliver carbon reductions. Our booking process deliberately includes information on the environmental impact of employee travel to encourage more sustainable travel decisions.

Computer consumables

All our suppliers of computer consumables are ISO-accredited. The new management information system introduced in 2011 continues to provide improved data on toner and printer usage, enabling effective management and cost savings for us.

Paper

We continue to monitor the usage of paper across the organisation. In 2012 a decision was taken to limit our usage of recycled paper owing to incidents of poor supply reliability and the still high environmental impact of the production process – particularly concerning the importing of pulp.

A decision to insource the shredding of confidential documents at our major campus sites has enabled us to partner with Nampak to recycle this paper into toilet rolls, which are now in use across the group.

We have also implemented a print management solution for a better understanding of our paper usage in the printing of brochures, posters and forms. The outcomes of this initiative will inform future printing decisions.

Couriers

UTI Mounties and Skynet remain our preferred courier service suppliers thanks to their clear environmental and carbon reduction commitments. In 2012 we investigated the possible use of bicycle couriers for short deliveries in and around our headoffice building in Sandton. The findings of this investigation are still being discussed; however, there are a number of challenges that might prove limiting, not least of which are weather, security and safety considerations.

Cleaning and hygiene services

We use biodegradable cleaning liquids and processes at all our main campus sites and branches. A pilot project at our Killarney branch saw the introduction of new green chemicals and cleaning equipment supplied by SA Fine Industrial Chemicals (SAFIC), which has a strong focus on the environment, has ISO accreditation and has signed a public commitment to responsible care. Based on the success of this pilot, the products and services will be rolled out to other Nedbank campus sites in 2013.

   
   
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