BancABC recognises that sustainable development is dependent
upon a positive interaction between economic growth, environmental
protection as well as social upliftment. As a responsible corporate
citizen, BancABC has a policy framework that is designed to ensure
that all projects supported adhere to environmental and social
regulations of the relevant local, national and international laws
and standards.
This policy framework commits BancABC to:
- Provide in-house environmental education and support;
- Recognise the environmental burden caused by consumption of
resources and release of waste from our own business activities and
aim to protect the environment through resource recycling as well
as efficient use of energy and resources;
- Support business activities that contribute to the protection
and improvement of the environment;
- Monitor the effects of our activities on the environment and
work towards continuous improvement and pollution prevention;
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to
environmental protection and other requirements to which BancABC
Group companies are subject to and subscribe to; and
- Provide financing to projects with minimal adverse impact on
the environment while ensuring that those having potentially major
adverse environmental and social impact are accompanied by adequate
mitigation measures.
In order to ensure compliance with the last of these
commitments, BancABC's credit risk assessment ensures that the
social and environmental effects of its financial support are
assessed and monitored. This Environmental and Social Review
Appraisal Procedure (EASP) enables the integration of the
environmental safeguards in projects so as to ensure that the
potential risks associated with environmental and social issues as
earlier mentioned are appropriately identified and mitigated.
Key components of the EASP are:
- An assessment of potential and current environmental and social
risks and impacts arising out of the proposal; and
- The commitment and capacity of the borrower to manage these
impacts.
Against this background, the procedure ensures that projects
financed by BancABC are environmentally and socially sound and
sustainable and that any potential environmental and social risks
are identified, evaluated and where necessary, mitigated. In line
with its policy, BancABC will not finance any business activity
that cannot reasonably be expected to meet the required
Environmental and Social standards up front.
As an African bank, BancABC recognises it has a responsibility to
uplift and support social programmes in Africa . That is why,
through various programmes and initiatives in Southern Africa,
BancABC continues to be involved in the development of the most
vulnerable group on our continent - women and children. BancABC
believes that only when the women and children of Africa are free
to pursue their dreams will the continent unlock its full
potential.
BancABC is also a patron of the arts. We also believe that a
vibrant arts and culture is a vital expression of our continent's
identity. Africa boasts a rich artistic and cultural heritage that
is as diverse as its people. This heritage is the soul of our
continent and in order for it to grow and thrive, needs to be
nurtured and celebrated. It is for this reason that BancABC offers
unwavering support in helping develop this vital element of the
african continent.