Executive head of sustainability at Nedbank, Brigitte Burnett.
The Nedbank Group will offset its Scope 2 emissions across 26 branches in five provinces – by taking up Growthpoint Properties renewable energy certificates (RECs). The branches, in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, North West and Western Cape, span over 8,200 square metres of retail space and sets a new benchmark for corporate decarbonisation in South Africa.
ESG Global reached out to Brigitte Burnett, executive head of sustainability at Nedbank, to ask her three clever questions on sustainability practices at home, climate challenges and Scope 2 carbon emissions in corporate real estate.
What is the next toughest climate risk or regulatory sustainability challenge you are prioritising right now to ensure the 2050 net-zero target is met?
Nedbank is reducing fossil fuel exposure while scaling up sustainable finance. We will stop financing new thermal coal mines outside South Africa from 2025. We aim for zero fossil fuel exposure by 2045.
The challenge is balancing this transition with inclusive growth in a low-growth, high-inequality economy. We are developing structured finance tools to help high-emission sectors shift. We are also calling for clear, consistent regulation to avoid delays.
Our strategy supports South Africa’s Just Transition goals. We want decarbonisation to reduce inequality, not deepen it.
IFRS S1 and S2, along with South Africa’s NDCs, will change how clients report sustainability and climate risks. This will affect their access to capital, regulatory standing, and long-term planning. As their bank, we must adjust our approach. Their shift is our shift.
What sustainability practices have you adopted at home this year?
I made clear choices to avoid hypocrisy. I’ve been vegetarian for years and select seasonal and local produce where possible. My home runs on solar and uses water-saving tools. I’ve banned fast fashion in my household. I also used Nedbank’s staff offering on Avo to install solar and water efficiency solutions at a discounted rate. These choices reflect the values we promote at Nedbank.
How are Scope 2 carbon emissions reduction managed and measured in Nedbank’s reduced corporate real estate footprint?
We track electricity use across our buildings and apply a consistent grid emission factor to calculate Scope 2 emissions. In 2024, we stayed below 97,000 MWh. We met our 30% energy reduction target two years early.
We offset emissions in leased spaces using renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Growthpoint Properties. Nedbank has 26 branches that are net zero for Scope 2 emissions. These branches are in Growthpoint-owned malls and offices across five provinces. They use RECs to offset electricity emissions from coal-fired national supply.
All offsets are auditable and tracked via blockchain. Nedbank has been operationally carbon-neutral since 2010.
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