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4th Annual Climate Summit

Advertorial:
4th Annual Climate Summit:

Standard Bank Group is gearing up to host the fourth instalment of its highly anticipated Climate Summit.

The Summit, which will be held in Johannesburg next month, is one of the cornerstones of Standard Bank Group’s sustainability strategy. Standard Bank Group has committed to mobilise a cumulative amount of ZAR 250 billion in sustainable finance by the end of 2026.

The Group has managed to reach ZAR 129.6 billion of this funding thus far and is well on track to meet its target. The Group is also aiming to achieve net-zero across our lending and investing activities by 2050, and in our direct operations by 2030 for newly built facilities, and by 2040 for existing facilities.

“This summit is more than just a gathering; it’s a call to action that adds to our dedicated focus which we have lent to sustainability issues,” explains Luvuyo Masinda, Chief Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Group.

“As we confront the realities of climate change, we must ensure that Africa’s path to a low-carbon future is one that also promotes economic growth, energy access and social equity. Standard Bank is committed to leading this charge, leveraging our expertise, resources, and partnerships to support sustainable development across the continent through products such as green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and specialised advisory services”.

The Summit will feature a series of dynamic panel discussions exploring critical themes at the heart of Africa’s energy transition. In the session covering “Africa’s Energy Transition Paradox,” experts will grapple with the complex challenge of balancing carbon emission reduction with the urgent need to provide energy access to millions of Africans. This discussion will set the stage for an in-depth conversation on “Powering Africa’s Energy Transition,” in which industry leaders will share innovative approaches to harnessing the continent’s vast renewable energy potential while debating the role of carbon-based fuels in the energy mix.

Building on these insights, the third panel discussion will explore the topic of “Geopolitics and the Just Energy Transition”. Panellists will delve into the regional dynamics influencing the prioritisation of the transition in political agendas and investment decisions, and what this means to drive meaningful progress.

“Standard Bank refuses to merely be an observer of this pivotal moment for the African continent; we are committed to actively co-creating solutions, fostering partnerships and channelling investment into the projects and innovations that will define Africa’s sustainable future.

It is our responsibility, our commitment, and our opportunity to make a lasting difference – and we look forward to this Climate Summit 2024 being an opportunity to engage with individuals and organisations that share our passion,” concludes Masinda.

– MyZA

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The Wilds: Rebirth

The “rebirth” of The Wilds is one of the most heartening community success stories in modern Johannesburg history. It was spearheaded by local artist James Delaney and a dedicated group of volunteers starting around 2013. Delaney began by simply clearing dead wood and trimming overgrown paths on his own, but the project soon evolved into a massive public-private partnership. The most iconic addition to the park during this revival was the installation of over 100 laser-cut steel sculptures of animals. These brightly colored owls, giraffes, antelopes, and monkeys are perched in the trees and tucked behind rocks, turning a walk through the reserve into a scavenger hunt for “industrial wildlife.”

Today, The Wilds is a thriving, safe, and dog-friendly space that hosts yoga classes, art exhibitions, and thousands of visitors every weekend. It has become a symbol of “active citizenship”—the idea that the residents of Johannesburg don’t have to wait for the government to fix their city; they can take ownership of their own neighborhoods. The park is also a critical ecological corridor; in a city that is increasingly paved over, The Wilds provides a habitat for indigenous birdlife and insects that would otherwise struggle to survive in the “concrete jungle.”