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The Green Bank named as principal sponsor for GBCSA’s “Inspire Better Buildings” Convention

 

Furthering its commitment to greener, more sustainable South African buildings, Property Finance at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (NCIB), will again be the principal sponsor of the Green Building Convention hosted by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).

The annual Green Building Convention is leading the sustainability journey in the South African property industry by bringing the country’s significant property players together around inspirational thought and action for our built environment.

This important event has built a formidable reputation for helping move South Africa towards more innovation and future-orientated thinking to “Inspire Better Buildings”.

Property Finance at NCIB has long been a strong supporter of the convention and the efforts of the GBCSA. It has sponsored the convention since its inception eight years ago. This strong partnership is helping to create healthier and more productive environments for people and communities.

Widely recognised as South Africa’s ‘green bank’, Nedbank has achieved an impressive sustainability journey of its own, which includes an array of notable firsts in the industry.

Its head office on 135 Rivonia Road was awarded South Africa’s first ever Green Star SA rating issued by the GBCSA in 2009. Today, Nedbank owns and occupies five Green Star SA rated buildings including the Menlyn Maine Nedbank Falcon building, which has just become the first building in the country to achieve a 4-Star Office v1 Design, 5-Star Office v1 As Built, as well as a 4-Star EBP Pilot Green Star SA ratings.

Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the GBCSA says Nedbank’s continued support and sponsorship of the Green Building Convention further reinforces its green leadership.

“The support and primary sponsorship by Nedbank over the past eight years has elevated the stature of the Green Building Convention to a platform for serious change,” notes Wilkinson.

He adds: “Nedbank has also taken its commitment beyond this and plays a leading role in mitigating climate change by walking the talk and being extensively involved in financing and occupying a number of Green Star SA rated buildings.”

In addition to a solid commitment to the Green Building Convention and the wider green building movement, Nedbank’s sustainability journey has broadened even further through its Fair Share 2030 strategy. This ensures that a carefully calculated flow of money is allocated each year to invest in future-proofing the environment and society.

Managing Executive of Nedbank Property Finance at NCIB, Robin Lockhart-Ross explains: “Nedbank remains a truly green bank and continues to play its part in mitigating the risks of climate change, while also tapping into the opportunities it brings. Our sponsorship of the 2015 Green Building Convention reflects our belief that green building inspires innovation for a better future. To that end, we are extremely proud of the number of firsts we’ve achieved along our own journey in supporting green initiatives, particularly at our Nedbank Menlyn Maine office building, which epitomises our ability to walk the green talk.”

The GBCSA’s annual Green Building Convention will be held from 2 to 6 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. This year’s programme promises a host of top-notch speakers and thought-provoking topics as well as outstanding networking opportunities with key decision-makers and industry professionals.