The official opening of another Nedbank Group 4-star rated green building is another meaningful contribution to group’s well recognised work in environmental sustainability. To date, the GBCSA has awarded 19 Green Star SA certifications to 17 buildings in South Africa. There are a further 28 buildings registered for Green Star SA certification in 2012. Nedbank now occupies three of these rated green buildings and Nedbank Corporate Property Finance was involved in financing six of the projects.

Nedbank Menlyn Maine represents a tangible extension of Nedbank’s vision to be a ‘green’ leader in South Africa. This vision saw the bank integrally involved in the development of the entire Menlyn Maine precinct, to transform what was previously a low-density residential area into a multi-functional and environmentally-friendly green complex comprising commercial, residential, retail and hospitality spaces, all established around a common green area in the heart of urban Tshwane.

According to Nedbank Group Chief Executive, Mike Brown, “The innovative design and construction of this new Nedbank building represents tangible proof of our desire to entrench environmental sustainability across all our operations thereby making Nedbank a great place to work, bank and invest.”

Brown explains that in making things happen for its clients, Nedbank’s 16 premises scattered throughout the city of Tshwane are now consolidated into a single campus significantly lowering the group’s carbon impact. In addition, Nedbank clients are offered an integrated, holistic banking experience through central access to Nedbank Wealth, Nedbank Business Banking, Nedbank Corporate, Nedbank Capital as well as private and individual banking with a branch located inside the building.

The building boasts an extensive array of green design and construction features ranging from intelligent lighting that adjusts according to the brightness of external light, automatic air quality monitoring systems that deliver fresh air without the need for mechanical air conditioning, thermal storage for reduced energy heating, and a variety of water collection, storage, distribution and saving systems.

The building has even been designed to promote an environmentally—aware culture amongst its inhabitants through the inclusion of a dedicated recycling centre, bicycle parking and shower facilities as well as designated parking bays for hybrid vehicles.

This integrated sustainability focus saw Menlyn Maine included in the Clinton Climate Initiative as one of 16 green cities to be developed worldwide. The initiative is headed by former US President Bill Clinton, and forms part of the Climate Positive Development Programme.

“As Africa’s first carbon neutral financial services organisation, Nedbank Group remains dedicated to proactively finding new ways to reduce its carbon footprint and lessen its impact on the environment,” Brown says, “and this building represents another step forward on our integrated sustainability journey.”