Investec Group (INLJ.J) has said it will fund coal projects for another seven years in South Africa, while its UK subsidiary will end all coal financing exposure in 2027, as reported by Reuters.
Activists and environmentalists have criticised South African banks – among the biggest on the continent – for continuing to fund fossil fuel projects, in contrast to many of their global peers.
The lenders have said they have to balance the continent’s developmental goals with the effects of fossil fuels on the environment.
Investec is “taking a cautious approach due to the needs and dependency of a developing economy on fossil fuels,” according to its climate report.
The UK operations of Investec Plc (INVP.L) would have zero coal in its loan book by March 31, 2027, and its South African operations under Investec Ltd would hit the same target by March 31, 2030.
The bank has already stopped all limited recourse project financing to new thermal coal mines, regardless of jurisdiction, it said.
Investec will respond to questions on its climate report in July.
Most banks prefer full recourse to limited recourse, which limits the ability to recoup loans by seizing the assets of a borrower beyond what is written in the loan contract.
South Africa, the world’s 14th biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, has committed to net zero emissions by 2050.
