Standard Bank Group, in partnership with the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London (SOAS), held the second edition of the Climate Summit, an event in which climate change is discussed in the context of energy access and just energy transition. 

The Summit aims to identify, unify, and elevate the voices of the African continent in preparation for the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), to be held next November 6-18, in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.

Through this event, which brings together investors, industry representatives, governments, African politicians and civil society organizations, Standard Bank Group intends to offer a platform so that various voices can join the debate on how the continent can mitigate the effects of climate change, without, however, compromising its development.

Among the figures who attended the event were Mo Ibrahim (Mo Ibrahim Foundation), Nana Akufo-Addo (President of Ghana), Félix Tshiseked (President of the Democratic Republic of Congo), Barbara Creecy (South African Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries), as well as André de Ruyter (Executive Director of Eskom).

As the world's attention turns to COP27, Africa has the potential to be a key player in the low-carbon economy.

However, implementing climate change mitigation solutions requires significant capital, hence the continent must prioritize securing financial, technological and capacity building support.

Standard Bank Group understands that mitigating the threat of climate change requires greater collaboration across multiple sectors to shape a strong African voice that can drive real change, recognizing the continent's context, as well as its challenges and opportunities.

It is in this sense that the Standard Bank Group is committed to contribute to the growth of the African continent, and intends to do so in a sustainable and inclusive manner, and the Climate Summit appears as a platform for the dissemination of its climate policy, presented earlier this year, through which it commits to achieving "zero emissions" by 2050.

For the managing director of the Standard Bank Group, Sim Tshabalala, it is important that the continent becomes self-sufficient, because only then will it be able to meet its energy needs.

"There will be huge opportunities for African countries as exporters of transitional and renewable energy.

Our capacity growth will increase countries' tax bases, which is essential for effective sovereignty. It will also allow us to deepen global supply chains, important for broad industrialization," he says.

Also as part of its climate policy, the Standard Bank Group has set aside a total of R250 billion to finance sustainable projects until 2026. Since the policy was launched in March of this year, projects worth approximately 40 billion have already been financed.

In Mozambique, Standard Bank has promoted initiatives to protect and preserve the environment, by planting trees in several arteries of the main cities.