Great Southern Bank became a carbon neutral organisation in 2021 after receiving certification from Climate Active for offsetting the carbon emissions created as a result of our operations. We commit to maintaining our Climative Active certification annually.
Our offsetting program includes two key initiatives which, together, deliver economic and social benefits to local communities whilst supporting our commitments to climate action, financial inclusion and reconciliation.
Arnhem Land Fire Abatement
Image credit: David Hancock
Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory is prone to extreme, devastating wildfires that affect the landscape, people, plants and animals. The Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (ALFA) projects we support are owned exclusively by Aboriginal people with custodial responsibility for those parts of Arnhem Land under active bushfire management.
Local rangers conduct controlled burns early in the dry season to reduce fuel on the ground and establish a mosaic of natural firebreaks, preventing bigger, hotter and uncontrolled wildfires later in the season. The projects provide employment and training opportunities for local rangers while supporting Aboriginal people in returning to, remaining on and managing their Country. Communities are supported in the preservation and transfer of knowledge, the maintenance of Aboriginal languages and the wellbeing of Traditional Custodians.
Renewable Wind Energy India
Indian wind renewable projects create clean energy for locals, which otherwise would have been generated by fossil-fuel fired power stations. The UN states that switching to clean sources of energy, such as wind, helps address not only climate change, but also air pollution and health issues, as unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in the air around the world originate mainly from the burning of fossil fuels. The projects also supply electricity to regional grids, improving the availability of electricity in the regions.