The WWF Nedbank Green Trust’s slogan, Igniting new ways for people and nature to thrive, has never been more relevant or imperative than it is in 2020. It is the year of the Trust’s 30th anniversary celebrations and the dawn of what many are hoping is humanity’s opportunity to reimagine how we live, how we use and consume, and the potential for our common futures.

‘The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown a harsh light over the deadly implications of inequality, and the unmanageable effect of both the health crisis and the economic impact landing heavily on the poor and disenfranchised across the country. It has forced us to stop theorising about what an equitable economic transition would look like and to start working actively to recreate a stronger world coming out of this. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we consider our place on this planet and pour more energy into living, developing and using the earth’s finite and already scarce resources as carefully as possible,’ says Tatjana von Bormann, acting Head of the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA) Policy and Futures Unit.

The WWF Nedbank Green Trust, founded in 1990 by Nedbank and the WWF-SA, funds innovative projects that have the potential to contribute to solving some of South Africa’s greatest societal and environmental challenges. From the beginning, the WWF Nedbank Green Trust achieved its greatest influence through partnerships.

‘We work with partners and communities who champion the custodianship of our natural resources and direct their energy and efforts to key levers of change for South Africa’s future. Our prosperity depends on the coming together of governments, businesses, organisations and all people, and so, for the past 30 years, the Green Trust has worked to create and cement these interconnected relationships,’ says Augustine Morkel, Executive Manager of Operations at WWF-SA.

This 30-year partnership has raised more than R300 million for the funding of over 200 major conservation projects. You can help the WWF Nedbank Green Trust by supporting the Nedbank Green Affinity Programme. The Nedbank Green Affinity Programme is aimed at supporting nature conservation projects through community-based programmes and is key in looking after natural resources such as our oceans, wildlife, fresh water, climate and more.

‘Nedbank is proud to use its financial expertise to do good for individuals, families, businesses and society. We pride ourselves as the ‘green and caring’ bank, committed in our sustainability efforts to making a lasting difference in society. Through our partnership with the WWF, we have seen the benefits of working with ordinary South Africans who share the same vision. The past 30 years have proven that by opening the doors of conservation and making it inclusive, we can all contribute to a better environment through job creation, food security and economic growth,’ says Tobie Badenhorst, Head: Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank.

Through the Nedbank Green Affinity Programme, South Africans are encouraged to contribute to nature conservation at no cost to them.

‘Nedbank has created a programme that makes it easy for anyone to contribute and what is great about it is that your contribution comes at no cost. As a bank that cares about nature conservation, it is our duty to lead the way and encourage everyone from individuals to corporates, urban and rural communities to support the environment. As we celebrate 30 years of the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, we hope to inspire all South Africans to join the Nedbank Green Affinity Programme and make the world a better place,’ Badenhorst says.