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The survey by ERM and GlobeScan, which gathered insights from 520 professionals across 63 countries, highlights a pivotal trend: businesses are now encouraged to not only go beyond compliance in their sustainability efforts, but integrate environmental practices into the very fabric of their business strategies. However, this transition presents several challenges for businesses that have competing sustainability priorities. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀: * Energy supply issues, exemplified for example by South African energy provider Eskom's load shedding * Waste management, especially when landfills are no longer viable. * Water scarcity, questioning the readiness of infrastructure for future droughts. Businesses also face other hurdles including cost-saving measures, brand protection, limited budgets, supplier resistance, and a lack of executive support. A pragmatic approach to sustainability suggests that before setting ambitious goals, companies should first comply with essential regulations (which is a non-negotiable) and then focus on reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼: * Accumulate and then allocate sufficient budgets. * Foster a sustainability-focused culture among executives and staff. * Establish ambitious, measurable sustainability targets with robust and reliable reporting mechanisms. * Engage suppliers in discussions about sustainable supply chains. Companies that successfully transition from mere compliance to embracing sustainable business innovation, human rights, and traceable supply chains will not only stand out in the market but also make a substantial contribution to global sustainability initiatives, and we have the case studies to prove it. #GCX #OperationalEfficiency #BeyondCompliance #SustainableBusinessInnovation

Want to understand why decarbonisation is key to tackling climate change? Dive into our latest blog for insights on how cutting emissions has the ability to drive meaningful climate action. #GCX #Decarbonisation101

The true challenge isn’t drafting strategies—it’s embedding them into the very culture of your organisation. That’s why we’re thrilled to see the @International Standards Organisation taking a holistic approach to ESG with their IWA 48:2024 framework. So what set's the framework apart? 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: No vague promises here. IWA 48 demands a commitment to open, fact-based reporting that not only identifies material impacts but also demonstrates tangible progress. 𝗔 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹:  Whether you’re a multinational conglomerate or a resource-strapped SME, this guidance is designed to be scalable. Tailored pathways ensure accessibility for organisations across geographies and sectors. 𝗞𝗣𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿:  From carbon intensity to gender pay equity, the framework emphasises measurable, actionable data. This isn’t just about looking good on paper—it’s about driving meaningful change inside and outside your organisation. 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀:  ISO IWA 48:2024 integrates seamlessly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), uniting corporate efforts with global ambitions. With IWA 48:2024, ISO provides a much-needed compass for navigating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation. This framework empowers organisations of all sizes, from multinationals to SMEs, to integrate ESG principles into their DNA, not just their quarterly reports. #GCX #ESG #ISO

Sustainability isn’t a fairy tale—it’s a balancing act. For every green innovation, there’s a tradeoff. For every solution, a challenge we can’t ignore. 𝗕𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴? Great idea—until repair costs pile up and thousands of vehicles are left to rust. 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆? Green power, yes. But fiberglass turbine blades? They’re landfill bound, and recycling isn’t an option. 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀? Fixing a battery can cost as much as 40% of the vehicle itself. So consumers ditch them. Include a few bankrupt car-sharing companies, and we have fields of EVs collecting dust. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲? We’ve built a world where trashing things is cheaper than fixing them. Where short-term wins eclipse long-term thinking. At GCX, we see sustainability for what it is: complex, imperfect, and full of hard choices. There’s no magic solution, just smarter strategies and practical decisions that move the needle—without the greenwash or the buzzwords. #GCX #ClimateInsiders #NavigateComplexity

When it comes to reducing emissions, two strategies often come up: #offsetting and #onsetting. Understanding their differences is key to making meaningful progress. Offsetting involves funding external projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives, to compensate for your emissions. While valuable, it doesn’t reduce emissions at their source—it’s more of a balancing act. Onsetting, by contrast, focuses on making direct changes within your own operations and supply chain. This includes measures like switching to renewable energy, electrifying transport, or increasing energy efficiency. Onsetting addresses emissions head-on, creating lasting systemic change. Both approaches have their place, but the shift towards onsetting reflects a growing recognition that genuine, lasting decarbonisation requires reducing emissions where they’re generated. Offsetting can complement this effort, but it should never replace it. The question isn’t just how we balance our carbon books but how we fundamentally rethink our relationship with emissions. #GCX #Decarbonisation #Offsetting #Onsetting

Facility Managers, the unsung heroes of our built environment, are stepping into a pivotal role: integrating Sustainability and ESG principles into daily operations. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Embedding sustainability into facility management requires more than policy changes. It demands a cultural transformation, where every team member understands and embraces sustainable practices. Without effective internal communication and awareness programs, these initiatives risk becoming mere checkboxes rather than catalysts for real change. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Developing comprehensive training and awareness programs is essential. These programs should be tailored to resonate with all staff levels, ensuring that sustainability becomes second nature in daily operations. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and engagement, organisations can empower their teams to drive meaningful environmental and social impact. #GCX #FacilityManagers #Sustainability

NGER Deadline Reminder: March 31st, 2025. The clock has started to tick for your National Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting (NGER) submission. Are you ready to meet the compliance requirements and avoid hefty penalties? To make things easier, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to help you: ✅ Simplify your reporting process ✅ Avoid common pitfalls and penalties ✅ Stay compliant while driving sustainability 𝗚𝗖𝗫 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗲𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.  Don’t let the deadline sneak up on you—download the guide now and ensure your submission is seamless, accurate, and stress-free. #GCX #NGER #Compliance #GHGReporting

National Geographic photojournalist Thomas Peschak spoke in Cape Town about his unforgettable 396 day journey through the heart of one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems - the Amazon River. Through his lens we are invited to explore not just the surface of this legendary waterway but the intricate, unseen world beneath. As Peschak’s images and stories show us, as much as conservation is about preservation, its about understanding. By seeing what lies beneath, we deepen our connection to the natural world and strengthen our resolve to protect it. Peschak’s journey—from the river's pristine headwaters to its expansive ocean mouth—is a testament to the Amazon’s complexity and resilience. His documentation reveals a delicate balance of life: vibrant, biodiverse, and deeply interconnected. Beneath the water's surface lies a hidden world teeming with life, each species playing a role in sustaining this extraordinary ecosystem. But this issue is more than breathtaking imagery. It’s a reminder of what’s at stake. The Amazon isn’t just a river; it’s a life force. It regulates the planet’s climate, houses unparalleled biodiversity, and supports Indigenous communities who have protected it for centuries. What can we do—individually and collectively—to ensure our wild places like the Amazon thrive for generations to come? #GCX #Conservation #TheAmazon

GCX is honoured to be featured in the "Building the Future" report compiled by RMB - Rand Merchant Bank in partnership with REdimension Capital and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). The report spotlights the convergence of sustainable finance, green certifications, and cutting-edge proptech as the driving forces behind a resilient and low-carbon real estate sector in South Africa. Below are a few key takeaways. 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 * PropTech tools like digital twins and AI optimise real-time building operations and resource usage. * These innovations support ESG compliance and make green initiatives measurable. * They reduce costs while simplifying sustainability reporting and regulatory adherence. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 * The focus is shifting to preparing buildings for extreme weather and resource scarcity. * Retrofitting and passive design principles ensure resilience to climate impacts. * Adaptation measures complement emissions reduction efforts for a sustainable future. 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 * Green cost premiums have dropped from 5.95% in 2015 to 3.15% in 2022. * Green-certified buildings outperform non-certified ones in returns and growth. * This proves sustainability aligns with strong financial performance. #GCX #Proptech #GBCSA

Agriculture is arguably the most important sector for Africa as a creator of employment opportunities, contribution to export revenues and to food security. At GCX, we are proud to be actively supporting sustainable agriculture initiatives that uplift communities. Recently, we launched a #agripreneurship incubation program in Malawi with Charis Farms, partnering with Charity and her husband Winley Phiri to develop a subsistence farming project around their household. Through the expertise of Chifuniro Kandaya and partnerships with key stakeholders we are growing the project from a local initiative into a larger community-focused program. Together, we held a two-day planning session to establish a solid business plan and strategise for future funding, aiming to scale the program on the farm and to other local growers in Malawi. It’s inspiring to see the dedication from everyone involved, and we’re thrilled to contribute to a program that empowers local farmers while supporting sustainable food systems. Stay tuned for the next chapter on our journey with Charity, Winley & Chifuniro. Special thank you to our team driving this project - Kevin James | Cathie Lewis | Georgia Emms | Tala J. | MAXIMILLIAN GROENEVELD | Amanda Solomon #GCX #Agripreneurship #AfricaFoodSecurity