National Business Initiative

Enhancing Business Resilience through Context-Based Strategy and Partnerships
2018-05-04 09:00 - 15:00 (Africa/Johannesburg)
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and Network for Business Sustainability (NBS-SA) are hosting a morning workshop to discuss how we ensure that companies and communities are resilient in the face of increasingly frequent and severe disruptions, such as the Western Cape drought? We will focus on two key dimensions: how companies are contextualising their strategy to enhance resilience and how they are partnering with municipalities and others to enhance the resilience of their companies and the communities in which they operate.

The NBI will outline the private sector’s collective response to the severe droughts that have impacted both the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, including the work undertaken to date, challenges overcome and key lessons learnt in the process.
The Embedding Project will consider why and how companies are going beyond traditional materiality assessments to ‘contextualise’ their sustainability performance. This shift helps companies to more effectively manage disruptive risks, enhance societal acceptance and set clear and credible limits to their involvement in key issues. The Embedding Project will also report on how companies are collaborating with local governments and other role players to enhance local resilience to ensure business success in the medium and long term.
Please click here to RSVP for this workshop.

Applying a Science-Based Target Methodology in the South African Context - Johannesburg
2018-04-26 10:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with WWF and We Mean Business, is hosting an exclusive seminar that will assist South African companies in implementing science based targets. The Science Based Targets initiative is a partnership between CDP, the UN Global Compact, WWF and World Resources Institute that aims to provide companies with a platform to set emissions reduction targets that are in line with the level of decarbonisation required to keep the global temperature increase below 2⁰ C. Whilst the content of this seminar will be largely technical in nature, the introduction will include a quick refresher on the rationale behind setting science based targets and the methodologies available. This is an NBI member only event. Click here if you wish to attend the Johannesburg workshop.

Applying a Science-Based Target Methodology in the South African Context - Cape Town
2018-04-24 10:00 - 13:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with WWF and We Mean Business, is hosting an exclusive seminar that will assist South African companies in implementing science based targets. The Science Based Targets initiative is a partnership between CDP, the UN Global Compact, WWF and World Resources Institute that aims to provide companies with a platform to set emissions reduction targets that are in line with the level of decarbonisation required to keep the global temperature increase below 2⁰ C. Whilst the content of this seminar will be largely technical in nature, the introduction will include a quick refresher on the rationale behind setting science based targets and the methodologies available. This is an NBI member only event. Click here if you wish to attend the Cape Town workshop .

Launch: South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, 2nd Edition – Durban
2018-04-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Member-Exxaro-logo
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Business Initiative (NBI) are launching the hardcopy launch of the 2nd Edition of the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA).
First published in 2012, the SARVA has been updated to reflect an enhanced knowledge of future climate change in South Africa and places greater emphasis on specific themes and case studies. The hard copy SARVA is complemented by an online portal, managed by the South Africa Earth Observation Network (SAEON).
The Global Risks Report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) states the need for coordinated action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, in order to address threats to economic development, development priorities such as social equality and public health and to enable food, water and energy security.
South Africa has not been spared of the impacts of climate change. The Western Cape for example continues to experience one of its worst droughts in decades, while the Free State and Northern Cape have suffered substantial depletion of livestock and crop failure. The Atlas presents findings of current research on the risk and vulnerability of key social and economic sectors to climate change. This information is essential to support informed decision-making for both the public and private sector in South Africa.
Copies of the Atlas will be available at the launch.
Kindly click here should you wish to attend then Durban Launch.

CDP Climate Change and Water Workshops 2018 - Durban
2018-04-19 10:00 - 13:00
The 2018 CDP workshops will provide companies with feedback on key outcomes from the 2017 CDP reporting round and give companies an update on what to expect for 2018. The workshops will focus on: The past performance of CDP responding companies, updates on the CDP process this year, including the scoring methodology and common errors in responding, an update on Science Based Targets and TCFD requirements; and CDP’s ‘Reimagining Disclosure’ project, including the introduction of sector-based questionnaires. You are welcome to attend both the CDP Climate Change and CDP Water workshops or to attend only the CDP Programme that is most relevant to you.
Should you require further information on the workshops, please contact: Hemal Bhana

Launch: South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, 2nd Edition – Cape Town
2018-04-18 14:00 - 16:00
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Business Initiative (NBI) are launching the hardcopy launch of the 2nd Edition of the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA).
First published in 2012, the SARVA has been updated to reflect an enhanced knowledge of future climate change in South Africa and places greater emphasis on specific themes and case studies. The hard copy SARVA is complemented by an online portal, managed by the South Africa Earth Observation Network (SAEON).
The Global Risks Report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) states the need for coordinated action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, in order to address threats to economic development, development priorities such as social equality and public health and to enable food, water and energy security.
South Africa has not been spared of the impacts of climate change. The Western Cape for example continues to experience one of its worst droughts in decades, while the Free State and Northern Cape have suffered substantial depletion of livestock and crop failure. The Atlas presents findings of current research on the risk and vulnerability of key social and economic sectors to climate change. This information is essential to support informed decision-making for both the public and private sector in South Africa.
Copies of the Atlas will be available at the launch.
RSVP by clicking here.

CDP Climate Change and Water Workshops 2018 - Cape Town
2018-04-18 10:00 - 13:00
The 2018 CDP workshops will provide companies with feedback on key outcomes from the 2017 CDP reporting round and give companies an update on what to expect for 2018. The workshops will focus on: The past performance of CDP responding companies, updates on the CDP process this year, including the scoring methodology and common errors in responding, an update on Science Based Targets and TCFD requirements; and CDP’s ‘Reimagining Disclosure’ project, including the introduction of sector-based questionnaires. You are welcome to attend both the CDP Climate Change and CDP Water workshops or to attend only the CDP Programme that is most relevant to you.
Should you require further information on the workshops, please contact: Hemal Bhana.

Thought Leadership Series: The State of Transformation
2018-04-17 14:00 - 16:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) is hosting a Thought Leadership Series Dialogue on Transformation to unpack where South Africa is in addressing inequality and inequity. This Thought Leadership Series dialogue builds on the previous one that looked at businesses’ contribution in driving economic and social transformation. Our contributors will explore the journey South Africa has taken in working towards creating an equitable and inclusive society, and highlight the persisting and existing challenges that remain, looking at the key drivers and factors, as well as unpacking the data and trends. If you are an NBI Member company please RSVP by clicking here.

CDP Climate Change and Water Workshops 2018 – Johannesburg
2018-04-17 10:00 - 13:00

Thought Leadership Series: Approaches to Economic and Social Transformation - Johannesburg
2018-03-20 14:00 - 16:30 | Brian-2-1
As part of the NBI’s Transformation Programme, the Thought Leadership Series (TLS) will explore approaches to contributing towards creating an equal and just South African society. Transformation is a complex and layered issue that continues to pose a significant challenge for companies. The complexity of the issue is confounded further by the context in which organisations operate: sector, location, size etc., meaning that there are multiple and varied ways to have an impact. The purpose of this Thought Leadership dialogue is to understand approaches to changing our economy and society, and explore differing views, as well as convergences, as ultimately we are all working towards the same end. If you an NBI Member company please join us at our next TLS seminar as we tackle these key questions, by clicking here.

Thought Leadership Series: Electric Vehicles on the Rise - Johannesburg
2018-03-19 01:00 - 03:00
The electric vehicle (EV) market has also been steadily growing. In 2016, the cumulative sale of electric passenger cars and utility vans passed 1 million units, and in January 2017, the monthly sale of passenger EVs (including plug-in hybrids, all-electric cars and conventional hybrids) surpassed conventional car sales for the first time. But what does this global momentum on EVs mean for South Africa, if at all? To what extent will this affect local car manufacturers and the local market, both now and in the future? And is this a sustainable mobility solution for the country? If you an NBI Member company Join us in our next TLS seminar as we tackle these key questions by clicking here.

Thought Leadership Series: The 4th Industrial Revolution and The Future of Work in South Africa - Johannesurg
2018-03-14 14:00 - 16:30
The NBI and Adcorp are hosting the first in a thought leadership series that will explore the “4th Industrial Revolution” from the perspective of what it might mean for our economy and how we can engage with it to create new opportunities and jobs that support the vision of the National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals. Click to ACCEPT if you are a NBI Member.

Thought Leadership Series: Carbon Regulation in South Africa - Johannesburg
2018-03-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Teams
The regulation of carbon emissions in South Africa has become increasingly advanced and multi-faceted. This includes the publication of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Regulations in April 2017, the publication of the Pollution Prevention Plans Regulations in July 2017 (and the associated declaration of greenhouse gases as priority pollutants), and more recently, the release of the Carbon Tax Bill for public comment in December 2017. Linked to these existing efforts to manage domestic carbon emissions is the associated process of agreeing carbon budgets for specific companies, as well as further plans to introduce dedicated climate change legislation in South Africa. This TLS seminar will focus on assisting member companies to understand the current state of domestic carbon regulation, focusing on the key salient points in each of the major regulations or initiatives underway. Click here should you wish to attend this session.

Kopano Ya Metsi 2nd Expert Roundtable: Water Infrastructure Financing In South Africa - Johannesburg
2018-02-27 09:30 - 13:00 | Teams
Kopano Ya Metsi 2nd Expert Roundtable: Water Infrastructure Financing In South Africa At this expert roundtable we will focus on how the water sector can meaningfully attract investment and address the water financing gap, which now stands at R890 billion. Please click here to RSVP.

Launch: South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA), 2nd Edition - Johannesburg
2018-02-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Kopano ya metsi
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Business Initiative (NBI) are hosting a hardcopy launch of the 2nd Edition of the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA). First published in 2012, the SARVA has been updated to reflect an enhanced knowledge of future climate change in South Africa and places greater emphasis on specific themes and case studies. The hard copy SARVA is complemented by an online portal, managed by the South Africa Earth Observation Network (SAEON).

Please click here if you wish to attend the launch.

A visual display of the South African CDP Water Report 2017
2017-12-06 16:00 - 18:00
Join us at the launch of the NBI’s 2017 CDP South Africa Water report, where we will consider the status of corporate water resilience in South Africa in the context of significant national water security challenges

Water scarcity is a global challenge, but the implications for South Africa are significant. In South Africa it is estimated that by 2030 water demand will exceed supply. Companies have already felt water impacts on their business in a variety of provinces, with last year’s CDP results listing higher operating costs and production disruptions as the leading impacts to businesses from water-related issues. We will also use CDP data to track the development of South African companies with respect to water risk management, governance and resilience. We will report on the progress of South African responding companies in the context of global CDP findings and we will also recognise South African companies forming part of the global CDP A List. Please RSVP here should you wish to attend this launch.

Thought Leadership Series: Contextualising Science Based Targets - Johannesburg
2017-11-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Kopano ya metsi
The National Business Initiative (NBI) is hosting a practical seminar where we will explore case studies of international businesses that have set Science Based Targets (SBTs).
Setting a Science Based Target for greenhouse gases is the most important thing businesses can do this year. The way that companies approach setting targets needs to be scientific and aligned with a climate-safe path. SBTs provide business with approaches for setting industry appropriate and meaningful corporate GHG reduction targets that are consistent with the Paris Agreement and the goal of limiting climate change to well below 2°C.
Speakers:

John Newton: Associate Director: Certification and Assurance, The Carbon Trust

Joining us from London for the seminar, John provides advisory services to businesses in areas including Science Based Targets (SBTs), the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Supply Chain, the GHG Protocol, the GHG Protocol Product Standard, ISO14064, PAS2050, PAS2060, ISO50001, ISAE3000 and Climate Bonds.

Robbie Louw: Director, Promethium Carbon

If you are an NBI Member Company and would lie to attend this event please click on ACCEPT.

CDP Climate Change 2017 Launch - Johannesburg
2017-10-24 16:00 - 18:00
CDP CLIMATE CHANGE 2017 LAUNCH NBI’s 2017 CDP South Africa report will use CDP data to track the potential for South African companies to maintain their leading momentum and hear from new voices on economic transition. At the launch, we will report on the progress of South African responding companies in the context of global CDP findings as well as recognise South African companies who have been profiled on the CDP A-List. Kindly click on ACCEPT should you wish to attend this launch. Enquiries can be directed to: Naseema Elias

Thought Leadership Series – Unpacking the Business & Climate Summit, World Water Week Stockholm and Climate Week New York - Cape Town
2017-10-18 11:00 - 13:00
Business and Climate Summit, World Water Week and Climate Week New York represent the three major global dialogues on sustainability held annually. Join us as we discuss the key issues raised at each event and their relevance for South African company thinking and practice. Joanne Yawitch, Alex McNamara and Steve Nicholls, who attended the Business & Climate Summit, World Water Week and Climate Week respectively, will provide feedback on the key messages and main actions emerging from these global conferences to NBI member companies. RSVP as follows: ACCEPT: Cape Town (PwC), 18 October 2017.

Thought Leadership Series – Unpacking the Business & Climate Summit, World Water Week Stockholm and Climate Week New York - Durban
2017-10-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Teams
The Business and Climate Summit, World Water Week and Climate Week New York represent the three major global dialogues on sustainability held annually. Join us as we discuss the key issues raised at each event and their relevance for South African company thinking and practice. Joanne Yawitch, Alex McNamara and Steve Nicholls, who attended the Business & Climate Summit, World Water Week and Climate Week respectively, will provide feedback on the key messages and main actions emerging from these global conferences to NBI member companies. RSVP as follows: ACCEPT: Durban (Grindrod), 17 October 2017.

Connecting Research and Practice for Sustainable Business - Johannesburg
2017-10-13 09:00 - 13:00
Managers and researchers are collaborating to address knowledge needs associated with sustainable business. What are we learning from these partnerships, and how do we make them more effective?
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS-SA) are hosting a morning workshop to discuss what we are learning from and about partnerships between researchers and managers. Such partnerships are becoming increasingly prominent as managers face important questions when integrating sustainability into business strategies and practices.
Please click ACCEPT should you wish to attend this session.

NBI/NBS-SA Workshop: Connecting Research and Practice for Sustainable Business
2017-10-13 09:00 - 13:00
Managers and researchers are collaborating to address knowledge needs associated with sustainable business. What are we learning from these partnerships, and how do we make them more effective? The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS-SA) are hosting a morning workshop to discuss what we are learning from and about partnerships between researchers and managers. Such partnerships are becoming increasingly prominent as managers face important questions when integrating sustainability into business strategies and practices. Kindly click here if you wish to attend this session.

Thought Leadership Series – Unpacking the Business & Climate Summit, World Water Week Stockholm and Climate Week New York - Johannesburg
2017-10-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Kopano ya metsi
The Business and Climate Summit, World Water Week and Climate Week New York represent the three major global dialogues on sustainability held annually. Join us as we discuss the key issues raised at each event and their relevance for South African company thinking and practice. Joanne Yawitch, Alex McNamara and Steve Nicholls, who attended the Business & Climate Summit, World Water Week and Climate Week respectively, will provide feedback on the key messages and main actions emerging from these global conferences to NBI member companies. RSVP as follows: ACCEPT: Johannesburg (Rosebank Crowne Plaza Hotel), 6 October 2017.

NBI: What does it take for Companies to Host Graduates from Technical And Vocational Education Training Colleges For Workplace-Based Learning?
2017-10-04 12:00 - 14:00 | Teams
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator on behalf of the Construction Industry Partnership (CIP) are hosting a discussion on the findings of the evaluation of a demonstration project in the construction sector aimed at providing workplace-based learning for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) college graduates. Please contact Shavilla Harpal.

NBI Member Companies: Business and Government COP23 Partnership: Opportunity to Showcase Company Initiatives
2017-09-28 13:00 - 15:00
The South African government and participating NBI member companies are hosting an exhibition at COP23 taking place in Bonn, Germany in November 2017. This showcase will demonstrate world-class climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts undertaken by South African business. As an NBI Member Company, we would like for you to be part of this significant opportunity by featuring your company’s climate action successes in the high-level video of the South African story that will be played at our exhibition space in Bonn. Please contact Naseema Elias should you wish to attend this meeting or should your company like to participate in the video.

Launch: Unlocking Water Investment in South Africa
2017-09-06 16:30 - 18:00 | COP27-South-Africa-Pavilion-Events
The National Business Initiative (NBI) is pleased to announce the launch of a new project entitled Kopano ya Metsi (‘meeting for water’ in Sesotho). Kopano ya Metsi aims to analyse the current and potential role of private sector investment (specifically Public Private Partnerships) as one of the solutions to the water sector funding gap.
The project, which is to be implemented over two years, will take an inclusive, bottom up approach through engagement with key experts in the water, municipal and finance sector, in order to understand the challenges and identify possible solutions to the factors hindering private investment.
Please click here to RSVP to attend this launch.

Thought Leadership Series: Achieving Gender Equality in South Africa’s Corporate Sector
2017-08-30 12:00 - 14:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Global Compact Network SA are hosting a Thought Leadership Session on Gender Equality in the corporate sector.
Gender inequality in the workplace mirrors inequalities in society more broadly, and in complex ways intersect with issues of power relations, race, and class with black women often at the lowest end of the hierarchies.
As part of the NBI’s work with companies on social and economic transformation, the upcoming session will begin an action-focused conversation with companies to:

Create understanding on the extent to which complex societal power relations converge to undermine gender equality in the economic sector and how companies can be more deliberate in driving transformative change.
Understand best practice and the various practical ways that companies can contribute to gender equality.
Identify appropriate tools, methodologies and guidelines that can assist companies to diagnose gaps, implement action in key areas and strengthen their performance.
Identify a core group of companies interested in championing and piloting available tools and mechanisms to enhance gender performance.

Please click ACCEPT should you wish to attend this session.

Adaptation Consultation Session with Government - Johannesburg
2017-08-23 11:00 - 14:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Water and Sanitation, is hosting a government consultation session for the monitoring and evaluation of climate resilience within the water sector.
The purpose of the consultation is for the private sector to be informed of the work that government is doing and to discuss the suitability of the proposed indicators.
Please contact Naseema Elias should you require any further information.

NBI Thought Leadership Series: The Business Role in a Circular Economy
2017-08-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Kopano ya metsi
The circular economy provides a sustainable development model that maintains resources at their true value, reduces wastage and pollution while allowing for growth. Inherently, such an approach can additionally support business reductions in carbon emissions.
This high-level National Business Initiative (NBI) workshop will offer insights into understanding the barriers and enablers that businesses encounter while attempting to transition their business model to fit within the circular economy.
Please click ACCEPT should you be an NBI Member Company and wish to attend this TLS.

Business and Government COP 23 Partnership: Showcasing South African Business Leadership And Good Practice
2017-08-03 13:30 - 15:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI) invites you to pursue the opportunity of having your company’s climate stewardship promoted at COP 23 in Bonn, Germany. In South Africa, the NBI and member companies Exxaro, Sasol and Eskom would like you to participate and contribute towards setting up an exhibition at COP 23 that will demonstrate and promote the world-class climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts undertaken by South African business. Please contact Naseema Elias for further details regarding the exhibition or RSVP for the information session by clicking here.
