Case Studies

Case Study

Driving improved Safety, Health & Environmental performance across the global operations of a publicly listed chemical company

The company is a leading global explosives and specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on providing products and services to a broad spectrum of customers in the mining, manufacturing and agricultural sectors. This company comprises businesses spanning across Africa, Asia, USA and Australia, and employs over 6,000 employees. The effective management and continuous improvement of Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) performance has been identified as a key business value by our client. In order to help our client meet this requirement, IBIS was appointed to design and develop a SHE. Operational Assurance Programme for the company and implement this across more than 50 production, storage and handling facilities globally. As part of the project, IBIS developed a series of tools and processes for the review of company operations against local legislative compliance and good industry practice requirements (including incorporating Corporate Policies and Standards), covering occupational health & safety, process safety and environmental aspects. Mechanisms for addressing gaps were incorporated and a custom built geo-database for measuring and reporting SHE improvements at each facility was developed. Speak to IBIS today regarding how we can help your business consistently and effectively manage Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) risk and improve performance across your operations.

Case Study

Sustainability reporting solutions that give you the edge

Facing increasing pressure from its stakeholders, including from its own funders, a major African based investment group appointed IBIS Consulting to assist with its sustainability performance reporting. The fund manager was also concerned about its carbon impact, both for current and future investments. IBIS’s team of specialists reviewed the scope of the client’s investments and developed an easy-to-use and practical solution to capture material sustainability information. Because the work was driven by a team of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and reporting specialists, focus was placed on the detailed nature of this reporting in a way that makes sustainability indicators accessible and understandable at both a fund and portfolio investment level. The tools developed will ensure that meaningful sustainability information is reported both internally and externally consistently and with full transparency. The IBIS team also developed a simple carbon calculator tool that measures the carbon impact of its investments on a quarterly basis. Additionally, the tool assists the business in forecasting emissions of future investments, giving our client a competitive edge and more holistic viewpoint to support decision making. This has enabled carbon impacts and the climate change much easier for the company to understand, thereby laying a foundation for a culture of sustainability in the organisation, moving forward. Talk to us to find out how IBIS can provide solutions to your sustainability and carbon emission reporting requirements today.

Case Study

E&S DUE DILIGENCE OF A PROPOSED INVESTMENT INTO AN ASIA AND AFRICA FOCUSED PE FUND BY A LEADING EUROPEAN DFI

IBIS were appointed by a European DFI to undertake an E&S Due Diligence of a proposed investment into the 3rd fund of a leading emerging market (Asia and Africa) focused Private Equity firm based in the UK. The overall objectives of the E&S due diligence were to review the current management systems and capacity for managing E&S performance; assess E&S performance and improvements made across existing portfolio investments; and evaluate whether there are any major E&S risks as well as identification of any key opportunities in the existing investment portfolio. The work entailed management interviews in the UK and site visits to various company locations. A detailed E&S action plan was prepared outlining gaps and providing practicable recommendations for the Fund Manager and the DFI. In addition, the work included a review of resource efficiency opportunities in the existing portfolio. Where these opportunities were identified, IBIS provided recommendations around how these could be further developed and implemented.

Case Study

E&S Training to 15 Banks as part of the SUNREF (Green Finance Label) Program

SUNREF is the AFD Green Finance Label (www.sunref.org/en/) and offers banks special partnership conditions to allow them to take advantage of the opportunities of green finance. About 70 partner banks are part of the program, located in Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, Western Africa, North Africa, Turkey, India, China and Brazil. Over EUR 2.5 billion in loans has been allocated by AFD and EUR 1,2 billion has been disbursed. As part of the second SUNREF workshop organized in Mauritius, IBIS ran a comprehensive training programme to 15 banks on E&S risk management including facilitation of experience sharing, case studies and role play.

Case Study

Reviewing South Africa’s national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory

South Africa is party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and, as such, is required to report on its national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2017, South Africa initiated the process of compiling its sixth GHG inventory covering the period 2000 – 2015. Requirements and protocol stipulate that national GHG inventories be subjected to an independent peer review in order to ensure the accuracy of the inventory and to build confidence in the results. IBIS was appointed by the Department of Environmental Affairs in South Africa in 2018 to conduct the independent review of the national GHG Inventory. The work was led by our multi-disciplinary team who ensured the highest possible level of detail and accuracy of the information. The work done by IBIS included a technical review of all calculations and assumptions made in the compilation of the national inventory, a thorough review of all aspects of the reporting, and recommendations for improvement. Not only is the country’s reporting now more accurate, but South Africa is also in a stronger position to make more informed decisions around carbon reduction in the future. Speak to us about how we can assist your organisation reduce carbon impact and report more accurately on your greenhouse gas emissions.

Case Study

E&S Due Diligence of a proposed investment into an Africa focused PE Fund by a leading European DFI

IBIS were appointed by a European DFI to undertake an E&S Due Diligence of a proposed investment into the 3^rd fund of a leading Africa focused Private Equity firm based in the UK. The overall objectives of the E&S due diligence were to review the current management systems and capacity for managing E&S performance; assess E&S performance and improvements made across existing portfolio investments; and evaluate whether there are any major E&S risks as well as identification of any key opportunities in the existing investment portfolio. The work entailed management interviews in the UK and site visits in South, West and North Africa. A detailed E&S action plan was prepared outlining gaps and providing practicable recommendations for the Fund Manager and the DFI. In addition, the work included a review of resource efficiency opportunities in the existing portfolio. Where these opportunities were identified, IBIS provided recommendations around how these could be further developed and implemented.

Case Study

Development of bespoke ESMS’s for Africa’s largest Alternative Investment Manager

IBIS were appointed by a major alternative investment manager with over US$4 billion in assets under management, to support with the development and implementation of world-class environmental and social management systems (ESMS) for each of their investment divisions, including private equity, infrastructure, development impact and fund of funds – comprising some 20 separate funds. This included developing policies, procedures, guidance documents and a series of management, monitoring and reporting tools that can be applied at a portfolio company, fund, investment division and overall business level. The ESMS’ were designed to align with requirements of leading international DFIs, the UNPRI and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Case Study

E&S Due Diligence of an Africa-wide Renewable Energy Platform for a leading UK based Private Equity Company

IBIS were appointed to undertake an E&S due diligence of an Africa focussed renewable energy platform with several active wind, solar and biofuels projects, a further 450 MW of projects close to financial close, and an early project pipeline of 2.8 GW. The E&S due diligence comprised site visits of active and planned projects in Southern and West Africa, management interviews, E&S compliance assessments, and management system reviews (at a platform and project level). In addition, a detailed assessment of socio-economic development activities and stakeholder risks and opportunities was performed. A high level review of E&S risks was undertaken of early pipeline projects.

Case Study

Resource Efficiency Assessments for a North African Private Equity Company and leading European DFI

IBIS was appointed by a North African based Private Equity firm, supported by a European DFI, to undertake resource efficiency assessments of portfolio company operations across Sub-Saharan Africa in the manufacturing, agriculture, food & beverage and retail sectors. The assessments aimed to identify and quantify energy, water and waste reduction opportunities. For most assessments IBIS were able to identify opportunities with significantly positive NPV values and short (< 2-year) payback periods. On average a >15% reduction of savings, particularly on energy, were identified. As part of these projects, IBIS also undertook resource efficiency training for over 30 investment officers. The objectives of the training was to create basic awareness on resource related issues (energy, water and waste); understand the key fundamentals for effective management and performance of resource efficiency; and present and discuss practical exercises and case studies. In addition, IBIS designed a tool to screen portfolio companies for potential resource efficiency improvements.

Case Study

Development of an E&S Management System for one of Madagascar’s largest Commercial Banks

IBIS was appointed to develop an E&S Management System (ESMS) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy for a leading Malagasy bank. IBIS undertook a full Gap Analysis of the existing E&S management policies and procedures against the IFC Performance Standard and World Bank Group Note on FIs; developed a tailored E&S management system framework and prepared the E&S Management System Manual incorporating various policies and procedures. IBIS led training sessions for front office, credit and investment, risk, HR and ESG personnel to support implementation. The project was undertaken as part of a Technical Assistance from a major European DFI.

Case Study

E&S Due Diligence of a major Moroccan Bank with operations in 18 African countries

IBIS undertook an E&S Due Diligence of one of the largest banks in Morocco with assets >US$ 30bn and with operations in 18 African countries. The review focused on the bank’s E&S management system (i.e. E&S categorization criteria, E&S procedures in transaction processes, E&S Due Diligence process, E&S covenants used in legal agreements, grievance mechanisms, E&S Performance Reporting, Human Resources and Social Policies) and a critical assessment of the bank’s Impact finance products (i.e. Green Loans for resource efficiency, water or waste management projects; Green Bonds and Loans for women entrepreneurs).

Case Study

Development of customised ESG Management Systems for a large Fixed Income Investment Manager

This project involved the development of custom-built ESG management systems to support the integration of ESG into investment processes and decision-making for alternative credit and traditional credit funds of a major Africa-Asia focused financial services group. This included development of an ESG Policy and Management System Framework for the organisation, with tailored procedures, guidance documents and tools for each of the underlying funds based on their specific investment approach and mandate. The system also includes monitoring and reporting tools for efficient tracking of investment ESG performance over time including outcomes of any ESG initiatives being driven by the organisation. The ESG management systems were designed to minimise the exposure of investments to ESG factors that could result in increased credit risk or default and in so doing, enhance the long-term sustainability of the investments from both a financial and social return perspective.

Case Study

Impact Management and Measurement Framework for one of South Africa’s largest Asset Managers

IBIS was appointed to develop and integrate Impact considerations into the investment process of a specialised SRI fund managed by of one of South Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups. This entailed undertaking a review of fund documentation, facilitating workshops with key members of the management team, and establishment of a ‘Theory of Change’ for the fund and a selection of its existing investments. A tailored Impact Policy and Impact Approach underpinned by an Impact Management and Measurement Framework was prepared and tools to support Impact screening of new investments and monitoring of existing investments against established impact KPIs were developed. IBIS were appointed on a retainer basis to support the successful implementation of the impact elements and the ongoing performance of the fund in this regard.

Case Study

Development of an E&S Risk Management Framework for a Financing Platform in Asia

IBIS were appointed by a new Infrastructure Take-out Facility (Facility) that is being established in Asia to support in the development of their Environmental & Social Risk Management Framework (ESRMF). The purpose of the Facility will be to transfer the exposure in long-term project and infrastructure loans from commercial banks to institutional investors. The Facility is also seeking an investment from a Multilateral Development Bank as an anchor investor in its establishment. The work conducted has included benchmarking of approaches of other financial institutions in particular higher-risk sectors, developing guidance on higher-risk sectors and supporting the overall development of the ESRMF for implementation to allow screening of transactions (which included reference to the Equator Principles, given the nature of the transactions that would be eligible for the Facility).

Case Study

Enhancing ESG performance for Africa-wide Agriculture Impact Funds

IBIS has been retained by a leading agriculture investment fund manager for the last three years to provide specialist E&S support associated with their portfolio of agricultural investments across Africa. IBIS’ role ranges from rapid screening assessments of proposed investments early in the investment process, E&S due diligence, annual environmental and social monitoring, and responding to ad hoc queries raised by portfolio companies and/or investment analysts. IBIS has also developed an ESMS tool-box to enable quick system implementation and better and more consistent management of E&S risks across the investment portfolio.

Case Study

ESG Advisor for a leading Private Equity Firm focused on Commercial and Retail Real Estate Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

IBIS provides ESG advisory support on an on-going retainer basis to an alternative investment firm specialising in retail and commercial property development in sub-Saharan Africa. IBIS’ role is to provide oversight of ESG management and performance of the various portfolio investments to ensure they are in line with the requirements of the IFC Performance Standards and World Bank Group EHS Guidelines, particularly with respect to construction safety, contractor and labour management, stakeholder engagement, environmental pollution and compliance with local regulations. IBIS’ role includes regular site visits to monitor project progress and performance, training and capacity building of construction contractors and local ESIA/OHS practitioners, incident investigation, updating and maintenance of the fund ESMS, and internal and external ESG reporting.

Case Study

ESG Reporting Review for one of South Africa’s largest Private Equity and Credit Fund Managers

IBIS were appointed to review the annual ESG Report and ESG data gathering and review processes of a fund manager with one of the largest pools of third-party capital in Africa. The project included assessment of both the content and structure of the report as well as reviewing the approach for collecting and reporting of ESG data. The aim was to assess whether there were any gaps and areas for improvement with respect to the existing reporting system compared to other leading PE firms and international investor standards. This included, amongst other aspects, a review of what KPIs are reported, how performance is interpreted and communicated to both internal and external stakeholders. IBIS provided a prioritised list of recommended actions to improve the data gathering, review and reporting process and report structure going forward.

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Case Study

Driving improved Safety, Health & Environmental performance across the global operations of a publicly listed chemical company

Case Study

Sustainability reporting solutions that give you the edge

Case Study

E&S DUE DILIGENCE OF A PROPOSED INVESTMENT INTO AN ASIA AND AFRICA FOCUSED PE FUND BY A LEADING EUROPEAN DFI

Case Study

E&S Training to 15 Banks as part of the SUNREF (Green Finance Label) Program

Case Study

Reviewing South Africa’s national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory

Case Study

E&S Due Diligence of a proposed investment into an Africa focused PE Fund by a leading European DFI

Case Study

Development of bespoke ESMS’s for Africa’s largest Alternative Investment Manager

Case Study

E&S Due Diligence of an Africa-wide Renewable Energy Platform for a leading UK based Private Equity Company

Case Study

Resource Efficiency Assessments for a North African Private Equity Company and leading European DFI

Case Study

Development of an E&S Management System for one of Madagascar’s largest Commercial Banks

Case Study

E&S Due Diligence of a major Moroccan Bank with operations in 18 African countries

Case Study

Development of customised ESG Management Systems for a large Fixed Income Investment Manager

Case Study

Impact Management and Measurement Framework for one of South Africa’s largest Asset Managers

Case Study

Development of an E&S Risk Management Framework for a Financing Platform in Asia

Case Study

Enhancing ESG performance for Africa-wide Agriculture Impact Funds

Case Study

ESG Advisor for a leading Private Equity Firm focused on Commercial and Retail Real Estate Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Case Study

ESG Reporting Review for one of South Africa’s largest Private Equity and Credit Fund Managers

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investing in our communities

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