Businesses can build a better bottom line by being environmentally sustainable, claims Zeitz

SUSTAINABILITY does not need to come at the sacrifice of economic prosperity.

This is the view of Jochen Zeitz, a keynote speaker at this year’s Green Building Convention to be held in Cape Town from November 2 to 6.

Zeitz is a global advocate of green leadership who is applauded for developing the environmental profit and loss account, a model for addressing sustainability goals as part of the corporate bottom line. He is a director of French luxury goods holding company Kering, which owns top brands such as Puma, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen.

Revealing how business leaders can build a better bottom line, Zeitz will share his journey as chairman of the Kering board’s sustainable development committee. His experience highlights that we all depend on this planet and at the same time, in one way or another, we are all part of a global economy.

The Green Building Convention, sponsored by Property Finance at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking ( NCIB), is set to deliver a thought-provoking programme designed to inspire better, greener urban environments.

Green Building Council of SA chief executive, Brian Wilkinson, says: “Zeitz’s green leadership, business philosophy and attitude towards sustainable development is an inspiration. His excellent example shows that doing good for our environment and our society can also be good for business.”

Zeitz, together with Sir Richard Branson, launched The B Team, a group of business leaders including Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post Media Group and Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, who believe there is more to corporate life than the relentless pursuit of profit.

He also founded the Zeitz Foundation for Intercultural Ecosphere Safety, in 2008. This organisation is inspired by the efforts of conservationists, scientists and artists, and recognises the need for furthering collaboration and alliances around the world. Its purpose is to achieve the highest standards in sustainability through the balance of conservation, community, culture and commerce in privately managed areas.

Through projects that balance sustainability and prosperity, Zeitz hopes to encourage a new model for sustainable development – one that shows how working towards ecosphere safety can be commercially viable.

“I am convinced that if revenues generated by the success of these inclusive, holistic approaches are poured back into the system, they can help to safeguard natural resources, enhance the livelihoods of communities, and promote sustainable economic development,” says Zeitz.

Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s largest JSElisted REIT, has a standing relationship with Zeitz through its 50 percent interest in the properties at V& A Waterfront, where the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is under construction as part of the redevelopment of the historic Grain Silo.

Growthpoint chief executive, Norbert Sasse, says: “By working together, with everyone doing their share, we can all contribute to positive change and create places where businesses, communities and our world can thrive.”

● Visit www.greenbuilding convention.org.za