Access Bank PLC has reiterated its leadership in climate-conscious governance and sustainable finance with a prominent presence at the launch of the Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria (CGIN) Chapter, held at the Lagos Business School.
The high-profile event, organized under the auspices of the World Economic Forum, brought together key players in Nigeria’s corporate and regulatory ecosystem to promote climate-aligned decision-making at the board level. Dr. Greg Jobome, Executive Director of Risk Management at Access Bank, was invited as a guest speaker in recognition of the bank’s pioneering role in embedding climate risk into its governance and operations.
In his address, Dr. Jobome detailed how Access Bank has institutionalized climate risk considerations across its boardroom and executive management levels. He emphasized that climate change is now a standing item on strategic agendas, supported by formal policies and internal systems aimed at mitigating environmental risk.
“Access Bank’s climate risk journey reflects a long-standing commitment to building a sustainable institution,” Jobome said. “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.”
Access Bank’s sustainability approach extends across its pan-African operations, which span 24 countries and serve over 60 million customers. The bank maintains a capital adequacy ratio of 20.46% and operates more than 800 branches globally, including in Paris and Angola.
During his presentation, Jobome highlighted key milestones in the bank’s environmental efforts, including:
- Measurement and disclosure of Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions.
- Implementation of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) methodology for financed emissions.
- Alignment with leading climate reporting frameworks, including the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the new IFRS S1 and S2 standards.
- Deployment of over 974 solar-powered ATMs.
- A 72% reduction in paper usage through digital process automation.
- A 50% decrease in landfill waste at the bank’s headquarters via recycling initiatives.
Access Bank has also introduced a suite of green finance products to accelerate the energy transition. These include “Switch to Solar,” “Solar for Health,” and mini-grid financing options aimed at promoting low-carbon energy solutions. In addition, the bank’s Sustainable Finance Accelerator has supported climate-focused businesses through funding, technical assistance, and capacity development.
The bank’s long-term efforts in sustainable banking have earned it multiple accolades, including twelve consecutive wins as Nigeria’s Most Sustainable Bank from World Finance, the Euromoney award for Best Bank for ESG in Ghana, and IFC’s recognition as Best Trade Partner in West Africa.
Access Bank is also the first commercial bank in Africa to be certified by the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative, further solidifying its status as a sustainability leader on the continent.
The Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria Chapter aims to strengthen climate governance in boardrooms by equipping directors and business leaders with the tools to make informed, responsible decisions around climate change. The Lagos launch marked the country’s formal entry into the World Economic Forum’s global network of corporate climate governance advocates.
With its forward-thinking approach and comprehensive climate strategy, Access Bank continues to set the standard for responsible finance in Nigeria and across Africa.
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