Uncharted: Investment in research and development related to the environment should be seriously boosted in SA to match its status as the world’s third-most biodiverse country, the writer says. Picture: FLICKR
“The banks, the lenders, private equity, international financing institutions are all now asking questions about projects,” said ERM CEO Keryn James. In SA, banks have adopted a firm stance on addressing climate change, with Standard Bank putting a resolution on the issue for its shareholders to vote on in June.
“They are using their financial muscle to try to influence the kinds of decisions that businesses are making.” “There are a lot more ESG investors now who fully get it. There’s a lot more financial institutions who make sure that when they give you a loan, at least you tick the boxes where it matters,” said Goldfields' vice-president of corporate affairs, Sven Lunsche.