Sustainability at Investec
Sustainability report 2024
The desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world we live in is at the heart of our values at Investec.
Making an unselfish contribution to society, nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit, embracing diversity, and respecting others, underpin our aim to live in, not off society.
As a financial services organisation with a strong footing in both the developed and developing world, we believe we can make a meaningful contribution to society and the environment. We believe that the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a solid framework for us to assess, align and prioritise our activities.
Our strategy is to harness the expertise in our various businesses and identify opportunities to maximise impact. We do this by partnering with our clients, investors and stakeholders to support ambitious delivery of the SDGs and build a more resilient and inclusive world.
At Investec, sustainability is not a choice but an imperative where our efforts focus not only on reducing adverse effects but also on creating positive impact. We are working harder than ever towards a sustainable and equitable world.
We published our first sustainability report in 2002
Download the PDF below to learn more about our sustainability journey and track record
Positively impacting on climate change and inequality by focusing on doing well and doing good.
1. Positively contribute and align to the Sustainable Development Goals
2. Operate responsibly and ethically
3. Partner with our clients and philanthropy partners to maximise positive impact
4. Provide profitable, impactful and sustainable products and services
5. Actively advocate for industry alignment and best practice.
Our sustainability framework is based on the SDGs
Addressing climate change and reducing inequality is fundamental to the success of our business. We have two impact SDGs, climate action (SDG 13) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10), supported by six core SDGs. These priority SDGs are globally aligned yet locally relevant to our core geographies and also reflect our growth strategy to fund a stable and sustainable economy. Our approach coordinates, assesses and reports on the Group’s progress in terms of our contribution to our priority SDGs.
- Carbon neutral in our direct operations and publicly disclose our Scope 3 financed emissions
- Minimal exposure to fossil fuels: Investec Group committed to zero thermal coal in our loan book by 31 March 2030
- €132 green loan to support a German electric vehicle charging network tender
- DLC Board: 58% women and 42% Board members are persons of colour
- IBP: Female Bank Chief Executive
- IBL: Level 1 BBBEE
- Provided 3 671 internships through the Youth Employment Service programme for youth in South Africa
Our impact is evident through our sustainable finance and investment initiatives, some of which include:
Financing as a sole mandated lead arranger and bookrunner for a solar photovoltaic (PV) portfolio
Investec partnered with Pick n Pay in its first sustainability-linked loan
Acted as co-arranger for the commercial loan agreement that partly financed a €178mn water infrastructure project for rural villages in Cote d'Ivoire
Green loan to support a German electric vehicle charging network tender
Raised by Investec Wealth & Investment International at 31 March 2024 through the Global Sustainable Equity Fund
Acted as joint mandated lead arranger in raising debt funding for the SOLA Scorpius project
Our ratings, rankings and memberships
We have consistently maintained our strong ESG ratings and rankings
* Decrease in numbers following completion of the Rathbones transaction in September 2023.
** Gender pay gap stats are reported a year in arrears. The 2024 plc figures exclude IW&I UK resulting in a reduced gap.
*** Before goodwill, acquired intangibles, non-operating items, taxation and after other non-controlling interests.
# Restated with immaterial impact.
^ Some staff attended more than one volunteering event.