DBSA Statement on Net Zero

The DBSA is committed to playing an active role in a Just Transition that achieves net zero emissions by 2050. This commitment extends to adopting activities and initiatives that contribute towards the global target to drive greenhouse emissions to Net Zero whilst building a fairer and more inclusive economy for women, marginal communities and managing the impact on those workers negatively affected by the move away from affected sectors. We are developing an integrated sustainability approach. As part of the DBSA’s approved Integrated Just Transition Investment Framework, we will incorporate the Bank's net zero pathway, which will include details of the DBSA's net zero GHG emissions targets across our total investment and loan portfolios. This is in alignment with the South African government's net zero targets as detailed in the Nationally Determined Contribution.

Our strategy and operations are guided by international sustainability policy positions (including global commitments made by the South African Government), national economic and sustainability policy positions, DBSA’s mandate and sector focus, DBSA’s climate policy frameworks, our Green Bond framework, as well as the infrastructure development needs in the region. As a leading DFI in the region, the DBSA is well placed to ensure that a transition to a net zero target is a Just Transition. This means that the DBSA will provide transition finance and will not support new fossil fuel investments which are not part of a clear and unambiguous Just Transition plan to a decarbonised future. 

Over the years, the DBSA has made a concerted effort to address climate change and contribute to the broader low-carbon aspirations of South Africa and the rest of Africa by supporting and investing in initiatives aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation. The DBSA was instrumental in the development of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP) by funding the establishment and administration of the Independent Power Producer Office resulting in investments of over R200bn and the creation of 50 000 jobs in the REIPPP. The DBSA, through its accreditation to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has implemented innovative programmes which support the transition to a low carbon economy. The Climate Finance Facility is a lending facility established to encourage private sector investment in climate related projects in Southern Africa and the Embedded Generation Investment Programme, a facility that supports embedded generation renewable energy projects in South Africa.

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