As part of its commitment to reducing environmental impact and fostering a greener economy, FNB is proud to have had it’s iconic 5-Star Green rated Portside building, the tallest building in Cape Town, selected to host the prestigious Earthshot Prize Awards 2024 from 4 – 7 November.
The event, co-founded by His Royal Highness William, the Prince of Wales as part of the Earthshot Prize initiative, aims to raise awareness and find solutions for some of the environmental challenges faced by the planet in partnership with some of the brightest environmental innovators in the world.
"We are thrilled to be hosting this year’s Earthshot Week events at our Portside building, which is a visual representation of sustainability, climate impact and social responsibility and is the ideal venue in alignment with the initiative’s vision." says Stephan Claassen, Provincial Head of FNB for the Western and Eastern Cape.
“For this event we are providing a space for dialogue around sustainable initiatives and solutions that will better the future of our planet and as such are promoting both social and environmental progress. The Portside building is a testament to our continued dedication towards sustainability and protecting the planet. We are proud to lead the way in green building and encourage others to follow suit.” Claassen continues.
As the tallest building along the Cape Town Foreshore standing 34 stories high at 139m, Portside is the first South African skyscraper to hold the esteemed 5-Star Green Star SA rating awarded by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), making it the tallest green building in Africa.
Further, the iconic building with a distinguished azure blue glass reflective exterior holds another interesting fact: over 95% of the façade can be disassembled and reused, a feature that contributed to the building’s achievement of the 5 Star Green Star rating.
It has also become the first of its kind to acquire an Energy Performance Certificate, issued by The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) in accordance with the South African National Standard SANS 1544:2014.
This recognition has set a standard for all locally built skyscrapers, and further underscores the importance that the banking group places on sustainable design and the importance of making decisions today that will positively impact the planet for future generations.
Additional accolades for Portside include:
- Water Star Rating Certification from the City of Cape Town
- Water Conservation Award from the City of Cape Town
- Disaster Risk Management Readiness Award from the City of Cape Town
In addition to its energy efficient operation, the Portside building also boasts advanced water harvesting systems to promote water conservation. These systems include 2x15kl rainwater harvesting from its podium roofs and balconies, greywater harvesting from its office tower wash basins, and borehole water harvesting for flushing toilets and cooling the building's mechanical systems. These efforts not only reduce the building's environmental impact, but also demonstrate FNB's commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management.
One of FNB’s commitments is to significantly reduce its carbon footprint by 2030. This means, decreasing the amount of greenhouse gasses it produces through its operations. Moreover, the bank's commitment to sustainable practices not only benefits the environment, but it has also had a positive impact on its performance, overall.
The bank has made significant investments toward sustainable financing solutions, encouraging its customers to embrace the move toward modern sources of energy in an effort to take action toward combating climate change.
Some key business offerings that are changing the dial, while giving help to our customers:
Considering renewable energy as a critical indicator of sustainable success, FNB is focusing on several financial solutions to unlock R200 billion in sustainable finance by 2025. The bank's retail offering of mortgage solutions for energy-efficient homes is a significant catalyst for this.
- FNB’s Alternative Energy Solutions offering, which facilitates various financing options like a Solar Energy Loan and an Eco-Energy Home Loan to name a few, not only incentivises customers for sustainable living, but also allows them to make their homes more energy-efficient and eco-friendly, reducing their carbon footprint and potentially saving them money on utility bills.
- For clients interested in environmentally responsible investment options, FNB's ESG investing products, including the iShares Global Water UCITS ETF and iShares Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF, provides options for tracking water and clean energy indices. These products are designed to help investors diversify their portfolios while making a positive impact on society and the environment.
- Additionally, FNB has established long-term targets for water conservation and has been developing creative solutions to help achieve these goals. One such initiative is the FNB eBucks energy and water solutions service, which allows the banks’ customers to purchase alternative energy and water backup options using cash or eBucks. FNB is committed to being a trusted sustainability partner, partnering with our customers to help them in creating a smooth transition to a greener economy.
- The bank’s Nav Earth platform gives customers access to the FNB Carbon Coach and Carbon Calculator, to assist customers with a view of their carbon footprint and general climate awareness, a first offered by a financial institution on the African continent.
- The bank is steadily making strides in mobilising a positive ecosystem for sustainability across its clientele.
- Further, FNB has teamed up with the International Finance Corporation’s Market Accelerator for Green Construction (MAGC) to provide incentives for green buildings. Through this program, the IFC and FNB will give a rebate of 4% of the loan amount for any MAGC program certified green buildings.
- Committed to playing a meaningful role in the promotion of the blue economy, FNB collaborates with local NGOs and volunteer organisations, such as Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, Clean C, Adopt a River Eco Solutions, Zwartkops Conservancy, and Zero Waste for recycling, to spearhead a massive Beach Clean Up campaign throughout the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal. Through these partnerships, FNB was able to raise awareness on the importance of protecting our oceans and waterways and encourage individuals and communities to take part in keeping them clean and healthy.
“During Earthshot Week, we hope to further spotlight what each of us can do to bring about a movement of change where everyone gives greater consideration to the everyday choices they make, and the impact that small changes made today can have in making our world a better place, Claassen concludes.
