National Business Initiative

Thought Leadership Series: Achieving Gender Equality in South Africa’s Corporate Sector
2017-08-30 12:00 - 14:00 (Africa/Johannesburg)
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.

A Study on Work Integrated Learning: Dissemination of the Findings - KwaZulu-Natal
2017-08-01 12:00 - 14:00
In July 2016, the National Business Initiative (NBI) on behalf of the Education and Skills Task Team, which forms part of the Presidential Business Working Group, conducted research into the opportunities and blockages relating to the implementation of effective workplace-based learning (WBL) across the South African economy. Having already taken place in Johannesburg and Cape Town, the NBI invites you or the appropriate person in your organisation to take part in a Thought Leadership and Dialogue Discussion to discuss the findings of the research, in KwaZulu-Natal. Please contact Shavilla Harpal on 011 544 6000 or e-mail: ShavillaH@nbi.org.za.

Thought Leadership Session on Business Opportunities Through the Sustainable Development Goals
2017-07-26 16:00 - 18:00
The National Business Initiative and Investec are hosting an afternoon session on opportunities for business to use the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to further their core business interests and support development. A report by the Business Commission on Sustainable Development entitled Better Business Better World, estimates that the SDGs will open up business opportunities to the tune of US$ 12 trillion globally through four economic systems of Food and Agriculture; Cities; Energy & Minerals; and Health & Well-Being. Please RSVP here if you wish to attend this event.

NBI Executive Dinner: NBI Socio-Economic Scenario and Energy Pathway Executive - Johannesburg
2017-07-20 18:30 - 20:30
The National Business Initiative (NBI) is hosting 4 high level discussions, based on the successful model used in the NBI National Development Plan (NDP) Programme, on the role of business in shaping South Africa’s future for its member companies. We will be using the tried and tested socio-economic scenarios and energy pathways developed by the NBI to help structure the conversation. The dinners’ will use the tangible and urgent requirement to act now towards a transition to a lower carbon economy over the medium to long term as a basis for this discussion and as a starting point for taking action. In addressing the issue of a low carbon transition and our future energy mix we will establish collective business processes that will allow us to address a range of specific development topics in a robust way. The final one will take place back in Johannesburg on Thursday, 20 July 2017. Please send your executive nomination from your company to: Gillian Hutchings.

Thought Leadership Series: Exploring the Natural Capital Protocol
2017-07-19 09:30 - 14:30 | Teams
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Natural Capital Coalition, are hosting a Thought Leadership Series seminar on the application of the Natural Capital Protocol in business decision-making.
Natural capital is a way of defining the wide range of benefits that we derive from nature, and which are essential to life, thriving societies and prosperous economies. The Natural Capital Protocol is not another reporting tool but rather a framework to help generate trusted, credible and actionable information for business managers to inform decisions
Please click here if you are an NBI Member Company and wish to attend this session.

Executive Dinner: NBI Socio-Economic Scenario and Energy Pathway Executive - Cape Town
2017-07-13 18:30 - 20:30
The National Business Initiative (NBI) is hosting 4 high level discussions, based on the successful model used in the NBI National Development Plan (NDP) Programme, on the role of business in shaping South Africa’s future for its member companies. We will be using the tried and tested socio-economic scenarios and energy pathways developed by the NBI to help structure the conversation. The dinners’ will use the tangible and urgent requirement to act now towards a transition to a lower carbon economy over the medium to long term as a basis for this discussion and as a starting point for taking action. In addressing the issue of a low carbon transition and our future energy mix we will establish collective business processes that will allow us to address a range of specific development topics in a robust way. Dates are as follows: Johannesburg: 22 June and 20 July 2017. Durban: 6 July 2017 and Cape Town: 13 July 2017. Please send your executive nomination from your company and their preferred date to Gillian Hutchings: gillianh@nbi.org.za

Executive Dinner: NBI Socio-Economic Scenario and Energy Pathway Executive - Durban
2017-07-06 18:30 - 20:30

2nd Roundtable for Social & Ethics Committees of Company Boards 2017
2017-06-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Teams
This Roundtable has now been established as an on-going platform for board committee members to build a community for sharing knowledge and experiences on implementation, with a view to enhancing best practice on the requirements.

Executive Dinner: NBI Socio-Economic Scenario and Energy Pathway Executive - Johannesburg
2017-06-22 18:30 - 20:30

The Business of Adaptation - Cape Town
2017-06-22 09:00 - 13:00
A framework for businesses to act on, enable and influence climate resilience. Co-hosted by BSR, The NBI and Kudos Africa. Click on the link should you wish to attend this session: RSVP Cape Town, 22 June 2017.

The Business of Adaptation - Johannesburg
2017-06-20 09:00 - 13:00
A framework for businesses to act on, enable and influence climate resilience. Co-hosted by BSR, The NBI and Kudos Africa. Click on the link should you wish to attend this session: RSVP Johannesburg, 20 June 2017.

A Study on Work Integrated Learning: Dissemination of the Findings - Cape Town
2017-05-31 10:00 - 12:00
In July 2016, the National Business Initiative (NBI) on behalf of the Education and Skills Task Team, which forms part of the Presidential Business Working Group, conducted research into the opportunities and blockages relating to the implementation of effective workplace-based learning (WBL) across the South African economy.
The research sought to understand the practical implications of WBL for employers; and find ways in which to support the employability of learners who proceed through different forms of WBL.
The NBI is hosting a Thought Leadership Dialogue to discuss the findings of this research.

A Study on Work Integrated Learning: Dissemination of the Findings - Johannesburg
2017-05-17 12:00 - 14:00

2017 Membership Council Meeting
2017-05-16 10:30 - 12:30
The National Business Initiative (NBI) wishes to notify you of the upcoming Membership Council Meeting scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 16 May 2017 from 10:00 for 10:30 to 12:30.
Kindly note that this is an important meeting as there are two NBI Board positions up for election which will require member ratification as per the NBI’s Memorandum of Incorporation.

Workshop: Business Partnering with Local Government - Cape Town
2017-04-12 09:30 - 14:30
The success of local government is the success of all South Africans. There can be no effective social transformation and economic transition in South Africa without a strong role played by municipalities.
Local government is a key sphere of government, responsible for a range of service delivery areas that interface directly with companies, their employees and communities. Building on existing initiatives by the private sector to support municipalities and enhance service delivery is key to ensuring a resilient and productive society. This workshop, implemented by the National Business Initiative (NBI) under the NDP Business Action Plan, will examine how the private sector is already working in partnership with local government and identify how these efforts can be strengthened.
Please contact Sindi Dlamini for more information.

Workshop: Business Partnering with Local Government - Johannesburg
2017-04-07 09:30 - 14:30 | Kopano ya metsi
The success of local government is the key to success of all South Africans. There can be no effective social transformation and economic transition in South Africa without a strong role played by municipalities.
Local government is a key sphere of government, responsible for a range of service delivery areas that interface directly with companies, their employees and communities. Building on existing initiatives by the private sector to support municipalities and enhance service delivery is key to ensuring a resilient and productive society. This workshop, implemented by the National Business Initiative (NBI) under the NDP Business Action Plan, will examine how the private sector is already working in partnership with local government and identify how these efforts can be strengthened.
Please contact Sindi Dlamini for further information.

Climate Change Adaptation Workshop: Managing Climate-related Business
2017-04-05 09:30 - 15:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Global Change Institute (GCI) is hosting an exclusive workshop on the application of climate change information for adaptation, and its relevance for businesses in South Africa at the University of Witwatersrand,

Roundtable for Social and Ethics Committee Members of Company Boards
2017-04-04 10:00 - 13:00
By April 2012, boards of designated companies were expected to have set up Social and Ethics Committees, with a mandate to report back to shareholders annually on the company’s performance on a range of social, governance and environmental responsibilities. This is in accordance with section 72 (4) of the Companies Act 71 0f 2008.
Five years since the Regulation became effective, it is under review by the Department of Trade and Industry. One recurring issue for many companies and for the Regulator, is how to enable the Committee to be more effective in driving value for the Company and for society more broadly.
The Roundtable will bring together Social & Ethics Committee members of company boards for exchange of knowledge and experiences. Please contact Achieng Ojwang for further information.

Applying a Science-based Target methodology in the South African context - Pretoria
2017-03-30 09:00 - 12:00
The National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with We Mean Business (WMB), is hosting an exclusive seminar for members only, intent on exploring the local application of The Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach in South Africa. In our discussion with local companies and international partners it seems that the Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach is the most appropriate method for setting science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for most companies in South Africa. Applying this methodology in South Africa will provide a useful indication of the ambition of company-level targets. It would also be useful to further investigate how this methodology translates into the South African economic and regulatory context. Please contact Naseema Elias for further information.

Annual Members Meeting of Global Compact Network SA
2017-03-28 10:00 - 13:00
The Global Compact Network South Africa and the National Business Initiative (NBI) are hosting the Annual Members Meeting of Global Compact participants in South Africa. The meeting brings together all existing signatories, partners and companies that are interested in integrating the UNGC 10 Principles and Sustainable Development Goals into core corporate strategy.
Please contact Achieng Ojwang for further information.

Applying a Science-based Target methodology in the South African context - Cape Town
2017-03-23 13:30 - 16:00

CDP Climate Change and Water Workshop 2017 – Johannesburg
2017-03-17 09:30 - 11:30 | NBI Events 2020
The CDP workshops will provide companies with feedback on key outcomes from the 2016 CDP reporting round and give companies an update on what to expect for expect for 2017. The workshops will focus on:

The past performance of CDP responding companies
Updates on the CDP process this year, including the scoring methodology and how you can achieve better scores
A refresher on the revised CDP climate change scope 2 reporting guidance and an update on Science Based Targets
CDP’s ‘Re-imagining Disclosure’ project, including the introduction of sector-based questionnaires in 2018

Please contact Naseema Elias for further information.

The NBI and CDP Discussion on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations – Johannesburg
2017-03-16 11:30 - 12:30
The Financial Stability Board¹ launched an industry-led Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2015 as the result of a global effort to shape common guidelines and standards for climate-related financial disclosures. The discussion will cover what the TCFD recommendations are and what they mean for your organization, how CDP can aid you in their implementation, and the next steps – going further than the recommendations on the road to a well-below 2 C world, set out in the Paris agreement.
Please contact Naseema Elias for further information.

CDP Climate Change and Water Workshop 2017 – Cape Town
2017-03-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Teams
The CDP workshops will provide companies with feedback on key outcomes from the 2016 CDP reporting round and give companies an update on what to expect for expect for 2017. The workshops will focus on:

The past performance of CDP responding companies
Updates on the CDP process this year, including the scoring methodology and how you can achieve better scores
A refresher on the revised CDP climate change scope 2 reporting guidance and an update on Science Based Targets
CDP’s ‘Re-imagining Disclosure’ project, including the introduction of sector-based questionnaires in 2018

NBI and CDP Discussion on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations – Cape Town
2017-03-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Teams
The Financial Stability Board¹ launched an industry-led Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in 2015 as the result of a global effort to shape common guidelines and standards for climate-related financial disclosures. The discussion will cover what the TCFD recommendations are and what they mean for your organization, how CDP can aid you in their implementation, and the next steps – going further than the recommendations on the road to a well-below 2 C world, set out in the Paris agreement. Please contact Naseema Elias for more information.

CDP Climate Change and Water Workshop 2017 – Durban
2017-03-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Teams
The March 2017 CDP workshops will provide companies with feedback on key outcomes from the 2016 CDP reporting round and give companies an update on what to expect for expect for 2017. The workshops will focus on:

The past performance of CDP responding companies
Updates on the CDP process this year, including the scoring methodology and how you can achieve better scores
A refresher on the revised CDP climate change scope 2 reporting guidance and an update on Science Based Targets
CDP’s ‘Re-imagining Disclosure’ project, including the introduction of sector-based questionnaires in 2018

NEES Consultation
2017-03-10 09:00 - 16:00 | Teams
The Energy Efficiency Leadership Network (EELN) of the National Business Initiative (NBI), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE) is hosting a National Energy Efficiency Strategy (NEES) consultation session. The NEES is intended to respond to the ever increasing demand for energy, coupled with a growing commitment to improve resource use and the reduction of South Africa’s national environmental footprint.
