Lessons from the mainstreaming of climate change and water into business Alex McNamara, NBI 24 October 2017
Briefly introducing the NBI
www.nbi.org.za @NBISA
Examples of our longstanding engagement with business in climate change and water: We Mean Business since 2015 CDP Climate Change since 2007 CDP Water since 2011 Thought Leadership Series since 2014
What is mainstreaming, in reality?
The term mainstreaming implies the following: Key issues understood Company-wide integration in place Material aspects addressed
To achieve company-wide integration, an environmental issue needs to be meaningfully incorporated into: Governance Target setting Policies and procedures Planning Investment decision making
Key indicators of successful mainstreaming include: Clear organisational understanding of environmental risks and opportunities Senior management responsibility and associated KPIs Board oversight for all major environmental impacts Strong targets in place to reduce environmental impacts Own house in order Leadership role being played in wider region and value chain
Lesson 1: Company governance is important
South African companies continue to lead on climate change, in large part due to strong governance Source: NBI. CDP Climate Change 2016
Lesson 2: Underlying strong governance is a well articulated business case
Flagship programmes such as CDP have helped change the way corporates think about water and climate Key to the CDP process is getting companies to ask the right questions, undertake appropriate analysis and understand their risks The net result is usually a clearer business case and better senior management buy-in www.cdp.net
Lesson 3: Safe spaces for company engagement and knowledge sharing can be very valuable
For example, we have facilitated various capacity building sessions with our members on water risk, water tools and water stewardship over the past 2 years
Lesson 4: Companies are at different stages along the journey multiple entry points are required
Achieving environmental leadership is ultimately a process of maturity: Source: NBI
Lesson 5: International collaboration can be powerful
The global context: hundreds of companies and investors committing to water and climate action: www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/take-action
Lesson 6: There is a need to interlink different social, economic and environmental agendas
Interlinking strengthens the business case. Work in one area can be designed to benefit others Economic Development (e.g. AFF, Tourism) Biodiversity Job creation Human health Rural development Air quality Climate adaptation Water Source: NBI
Lesson 7: Peer pressure in transparency and action can be an important lever of change
An extract from the CDP Water 2016 League Table Source: NBI. CDP Water Executive Summary 2016. Partial Table extract only.
Lesson 8: Public education is important, but is a long play
The power of storytelling, and of celebrity Source: The Independent, 8 August 2016 Image credit: http://www.gstatic.com/tv/thumb/movieposters/161395/p161395_p_v8_aa.jpg
Lesson 9: Follow the money
There is a reason why CDP and others focus on engaging with investors
Questions?
For more information Alex McNamara Programme Manager: Climate & Water, NBI E: AlexM@nbi.org.za T: +27 11 544 6013 M: +27 79 699 3284
3rd Floor, Building D, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, 2193 PO Box 294, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa 0861 123 624 (0861 123 NBI) Tel: +27 11 544 6000 Fax: +27 86 505 5678 The National Business Initiative is a voluntary coalition of South African and multinational companies, working towards sustainable growth and development in South Africa and the shaping of a sustainable future through responsible business action. Since our inception in 1995, the NBI has made a distinct impact in the spheres of housing delivery, crime prevention, local economic development, public sector capacity building, Further Education and Training, schooling, public private partnerships, energy efficiency and climate change. The NBI is a global network partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the focal point of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Local Network in South Africa and an implementation partner of the CEO Water Mandate, We Mean Business and the CDP. www.nbi.org.za www.facebook.com/nationalbusinessinitiative @NBISA