The Climate Governance Initiative, the global network of non-executive directors promoting climate change awareness and action within businesses is delighted to announce the launch of the 29th Chapter in the network, Chapter Zero Southern Africa and second in Africa.
The Chapter launched last week (Thursday 27 July) at an event at Wits Business School in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Chapter brings together the 16 Members States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Its 16 Member States are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Julie Baddeley, Chair of the Climate Governance Initiative’s Governing Board, said on the event of the launch: “We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Chapter Zero Southern Africa to the Climate Governance Initiative’s global network. Bringing together the 16 Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) around a common goal of driving climate action from the board level, Chapter Zero Southern Africa is building a community of climate-focused directors. The Climate Governance Initiative looks forward to supporting the Chapter in this crucial mission.”
Maurice Radebe, Chairman of Chapter Zero Southern Africa, said: “Climate change is an emergency and transitioning business climate ambition into climate action is a strategic imperative for innovative organisations. Doing little or nothing is not an option.”
Carolynn Chalmers, CEO of Chapter Zero Southern Africa said: “the newly minted 29th chapter aims to connect its members in southern Africa to a vast network of more than 100,000 non-executive directors across 58 countries.”
The new body provides, among others, immersive training for board members to capacitate them to drive climate action in their organisations in ways that are impactful and responsible.
“The next three years are critical in business response to climate change. The 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report flagged a “code red” for humanity. It warned that emissions globally needed to be halved by 2030 to ensure average temperature increase does not exceed 1.5 degrees by 2050,” added Chalmers.
The Chapter will organise various free-of-charge live and online events, record podcasts, publish and promote capacity building materials and knowledge, and invite its members to events and workshops organised by the global network.
Find out more at the Chapter Zero Southern Africa website and follow the Chapter on LinkedIn.
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