Access Bank Plc has once again reinforced its status as a trailblazer in sustainable finance, playing a prominent role at the formal launch of the Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria (CGIN) Chapter, held at the Lagos Business School. The high-level event, convened under the auspices of the World Economic Forum’s global network, brought together board members, C-suite executives, regulators, and sustainability experts to chart a new course for climate-conscious corporate governance in Nigeria.
In recognition of the Bank’s pioneering achievements in climate risk integration and sustainability leadership, Dr. Greg Jobome, Executive Director of Risk Management at Access Bank, was specially invited to deliver a keynote presentation.
Speaking on the Bank’s climate strategy, Dr. Jobome emphasized that climate risk is now a central governance priority at Access Bank, regularly featured on the agenda of both the Board and Executive Management. He detailed how the Bank has embedded climate considerations across its operations, risk frameworks, and investment decisions proactively acting well before regulations mandated such actions.
“We recognised early that climate risk is financial risk. We did not wait for regulation; instead, we acted proactively. That decision has made our institution more resilient and positioned us to unlock new growth opportunities,”Dr. Jobome stated.
Access Bank’s Climate and Sustainability Achievements
With operations in 24 countries and a customer base of over 60 million, Access Bank has implemented several climate-forward initiatives that reflect global best practices. These include:
- Measurement and reporting of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
- Adoption of the PCAF model for financed emissions
- Alignment with global frameworks such as the TCFD, IFRS S1 and S2 standards
- Installation of over 974 solar-powered ATMs
- Over 72% reduction in paper usage through automation
- 50% reduction in landfill waste at headquarters via recycling
- Creation of green financial products like Switch to Solar, Solar for Health, and mini-grid financing solutions
The Bank has also been instrumental in driving sustainable finance across Africa, having issued Green and Sustainability Bonds, and becoming the first commercial bank in Africa to be certified by the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative.
Through its Sustainable Finance Accelerator, Access Bank has provided funding, capacity building, and technical support to numerous climate-focused enterprises. The bank has reached over 63 million lives through strategic social investment programs.
A Model for Corporate Climate Governance
Access Bank’s commitment has not gone unnoticed. The Bank has received multiple accolades including:
- World Finance Award for Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria 12 consecutive times)
- Euromoney’s Best Bank for ESG (Ghana)
- IFC’s Best Trade Partner in West Africa
Dr. Jobome’s participation at the CGIN launch reflected Access Bank’s deep expertise and proactive leadership in shaping Nigeria’s sustainable finance landscape. His insights offered a blueprint for other financial institutions seeking to integrate sustainability into their governance frameworks.
About the CGIN Launch
The launch of the Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria Chapter is part of a broader global movement, led by the World Economic Forum, to strengthen climate governance at the board level. The initiative aims to ensure that corporate leaders and decision-makers integrate climate considerations into long-term strategic planning and risk management.
By spotlighting Access Bank’s achievements, the event underscored the pivotal role that forward-thinking financial institutions can play in shaping a resilient, low-carbon future for Nigeria and the African continent at large.
For more information about Access Bank’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.accessbankplc.com
Or follow the Climate Governance Initiative via www.lbs.edu.ng
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