20 Nov 2024

SustainaBiz Consulting is set to host Botswana’s inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Sustainability Impact Awards in 2025.

This is in line with President Advocate Duma Boko’s announcement of a forthcoming National ESG Strategy,

The awards aim to honour individuals and organisations committed to ESG principles through a variety of initiatives.

In a recent interview with BOPA, Ms Onneetse Ndadi, Founder and Business & ESG Lead Consultant at SustainaBiz Consulting emphasised that the awards would serve as inspiration for both trailblazers in the field and those lagging behind, encouraging a collective effort towards ESG adoption.

The Online Award Entry Portal is scheduled to open at the start of 2025, remaining accessible for approximately six months.

“Following the portal’s closure, a thorough adjudication process would take place, culminating in the announcement of award winners in the fourth quarter of the year,” Ms Ndadi said.

She stated that a panel of independent local and international ESG and sustainability experts would oversee the adjudication, requiring companies to submit supporting evidence for their entries.  Acknowledging the challenges of data availability in Botswana, Ms Ndadi indicated that the evidence could take various forms, from reports to videography, and will include observations made by the judges.

The initiative was intended not only to recognise ESG efforts but also to foster a culture of record keeping and impact measurement within organisations, she said.

Highlighting SustainaBiz Consulting’s role, Ms Ndadi explained that the firm aims to bridge existing capacity gaps in the market, particularly regarding ESG and sustainability management, as global focus intensifies on climate change and social development.

To enhance their advisory and capacity-building mandate, SustainaBiz Consulting has secured a Botswana Qualifications Authority-accredited trainer to deliver Human Resource Development Ccuncil-accredited training courses in ESG and Sustainability Management, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

According to Ms Ndadi, these courses were designed to facilitate inclusive sustainable development, complemented by advisory services, policy development, and impact assessments.

On November 15, SustainaBiz Consulting celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of ESG Strategy Experts, marking a significant milestone for the firm.  Ms Ndadi said participants committed to six weeks of after-hours study.

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Boko outlined the vision behind the National ESG Strategy, aiming to establish Botswana as a leader in climate action while attracting international investment in critical sectors such as renewable energy and waste management.

The initiative emphasises the development of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and bioenergy, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and foster new economic opportunities.

Additionally, the President underscored the importance of ecotourism in protecting Botswana’s unique ecosystems and wildlife, ensuring the preservation of natural reserves for future generations. Ends