Our business impact through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

 

We have prioritised our goals to ensure that they are globally aligned yet locally relevant to our core geographies and reflect our current business model and growth strategy. We aim to maximise socio-economic and environmental impact by coordinating and integrating activities across our operations, businesses and communities. Financing innovative solutions that enable access to clean water (SDG 6) and affordable energy (SDG 7) as well as providing access to quality education (SDG 4) are all vital for economic growth and job creation (SDG 8). At the same time, our business has established expertise in building and supporting infrastructure solutions (SDG 9) and funding sustainable cities and stronger communities (SDG 11). As a result, we prioritised these six core SDGs which, given the interconnected nature of the goals, will help maximise our contribution to all 17 goals. We will continue to test these priorities for relevance and impact as our SDG journey progresses.

 

Our business model is best positioned to contribute to the SDGs by facilitating strong institutions (SDG 16) and partnering with our clients and stakeholders (SDG 17) to have a tangible impact on reducing inequality (SDG 10).

priority SDGs

Partnering for prosperity for all

  • SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation

     

    Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all through:


    SDG 6.1 Safe and affordable drinking water

    SDG 6.4 Water use efficiency

    Societal benefits
    • Access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right and is essential for reducing poverty and improving overall well-being 
    • It is vital for agriculture, biodiversity and economic growth but also keeps children in school and increases opportunities for women and girls in rural areas
    Business benefits
    • Investec has established expertise in funding and structuring infrastructure projects
    • We partner with our clients to finance innovative water solutions which help communities and business growth 
    • We ensure our water is sustainably sourced and responsibly used in all of our  offices
    Examples of our impact
    • Investec funds the provision of clean water to rural communities in Mpumalanga and Limpopo through our partnership with EDT and Innovation Africa
    • We finance safe water storage e.g. ABECO Tanks in South Africa
    • We finance water saving solutions e.g. Propelair in UK
  • SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy

    Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all through:

     

    SDG 7.2 Increasing the share of renewable energy

    Societal benefit
    • Renewable energy powers our economies and daily lives
    • Renewable energy positively impacts education, health and learning.
    • It also reduces and/or eliminates toxic greenhouse gas emissions and is vital for a transition to a low-carbon economy
    Business benefit
    • Investec has international expertise in financing and developing energy generation and transmission
    • We aim to minimise and manage energy consumption in all our offices
    • We finance infrastructure solutions that promote renewable energy
    • We assist our clients reduce their emissions and encourage investment in renewables and divestment from fossil fuels
    Examples of our impact
    • Investec participates in £1.6bn of renewable projects globally
    • 86% of our energy lending portfolio is in clean energy
    • We financed the Kathu Solar Park with R8.5mn spent on 27 socio-economic development projects during construction phase (plus 1% of revenues for next 20 years)
    • We created a clean energy fund, Revego Africa Energy and committed R1bn to the fund  
    • We finance energy solutions for corporates and households e.g. Mettle Solar
  • SDG 4: Quality education

    Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all through:

     

    SDG 4.3: Equal access to education

    SDG 4.4: Increasing the number of youth with relevant skills 

     

    Societal benefit
    • Education results in higher employment opportunities and income to individuals in society
    • Education also results in enhanced skills, improved social well-being and quality of life, and access to networks
    Business benefit 
    • Investec contributes to a greater pool of talent for our workforce through supporting quality education
    • We finance and facilitate education and vocational businesses 
    • We partner with clients to enhance quality education and skills development in South Africa
    Examples of our impact
  • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

    Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all through:

     

    SDG 8.5: Full and productive employment and decent work

    SDG 8.9: Promote sustainable tourism 

    Societal benefit
    • Decent work and economic growth reduces inequality and poverty and improves self worth
    • Entrepreneurship and job creation eradicates forced and child labour, slavery and human trafficking
    Business benefit
    • At Investec, we use our specialist skills to support our clients in growing their businesses, employ more people and contribute to economic growth
    • We finance entrepreneurs who are critical in accelerating job creation and supporting sustained economic growth
    Examples of our impact
    • Our policies and business practices guide conduct and ensure our staffs' actions and attitudes reflect the Investec values
    • We employ >10 000 staff
    • We support youth employment through the YES initiative (>1 200 youth placed with 11 partners)
    • We support entrepreneurship programmes through our community programmes (e.g. the Global Exposure Programme in South Africa and Bromley by Bow in the UK)
    • We have a particular focus on funding SMMEs and entrepreneurs e.g. ASA International Group
    • We contribute to economic growth through supporting tourism e.g. a public/private partnership with Wesgro to help secure direct routes into Cape Town International Airport
  • SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

    Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation through:

     

    SDG 9.5: Upgrading technological capabilities

    SDG 9.A: Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development 

    Societal benefit
    • Building quality infrastructure and sustainable industrial development boosts productivity, incomes, and standards of living, leading to better health and education outcomes
    • Technology and innovation are vital in addressing environmental and economic challenges
    Business benefit
    • Investec partners with the private sector and government for delivery of infrastructure through the provision of expertise to ensure successful funding, implementation and development of projects
    • We identify opportunities to finance innovative technological or digital solutions to solve various socio-economic challenges
    • Our IT infrastructure is resilient and efficient 
    • We have a focused digital strategy
    • We host staff ‘hackathons’ to encourage innovation
    Examples of our impact
    • Investec funds critical infrastructure projects
    • We support infrastructure development e.g. Investec Asset Management's Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund
    • We finance innovative technology e.g. partnership with an Israeli late-stage technology venture capital fund that invests in funds such as Vayyar Imaging Ltd that detects tumours
    • We fund fintech start-ups e.g. partnership with Crossfin to fund early-stage African start-ups
    • We support rural digital learning through our community programmes e.g. fund computers and tablets for the Good Work Foundation's digital learning centres in the Bushbuckridge community in South Africa
  • SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

    Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable through:

     

    SDG 11.1: Providing access for all to safe and affordable housing

    SDG 11.2: Providing access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all

    SDG 11.C: Supporting sustainable and resilient buildings 

     

     

    Societal benefit 
    • Sustainable cities and communities reduces vulnerability to factors like natural disasters, overcrowding and air pollution
    • It also improves overall health and quality of life
    Business benefit
    • Investec's property business focuses on developments that bring value to surrounding communities and invests in sustainable and resilient buildings 
    • We finance innovative technologies that can contribute to more sustainable transport systems and safer, robust infrastructure solutions
    Examples of our impact
    • Investec funds sustainable property developments e.g. Cornubia Mall in South Africa
    • We fund affordable housing projects e.g. housing development in Adelaide, Australia 
    • We work with communities in rural areas to conserve biodiversity and support the economy of wildlife e.g. Investec Rhino Lifeline, wild dog programme, Good Work Foundation etc.
    • We fund sustainable transport systems e.g. Engenie in the UK
    • We invested in a UK-based company specialising in electric vehicle rapid chargers that are being installed across London
climate change icons

We recognise the risk of climate change and are committed to supporting the transition to a clean and energy-efficient global economy. We believe the greatest impact of SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (life on land) will be made by prioritising SDG 6, SDG 7 and SDG 11. 

 

Click here for more information on our commitment to the environment and climate change >

Download our 2019 corporate sustainability and ESG supplementary report

2019 full report

Corporate sustainability and ESG supplementary report 2019

2019 report chapters

Corporate sustainability at Investec
Commitment to our people
Commitment to our communities
Commitment to the environment and climate change
Our business impact
Governance, risk and compliance
Appendix (Global Reporting Initiative Index)