Justine Bolton

Justine Bolton is a pioneering figure in climate finance and sustainability, currently serving as a Carbon and Biodiversity Specialist in the Environmental, Nature & Climate Risk team at FirstRand Limited while pursuing her PhD in carbon accounting at the University of Edinburgh Business School. Her multifaceted role encompasses managing climate change resilience, carbon footprint assessment, and climate-related risk analysis for FirstRand Group, aligning with TCFD recommendations. Bolton's expertise, bolstered by her Master's in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh, spans carbon accounting, financed emissions, portfolio alignment, and climate risk management. As a Board Member of PCAF and co-chair of its Africa implementation team, she fosters collaboration among African financial institutions in climate mitigation efforts. Her impactful work includes establishing internal shadow carbon pricing, setting science-based emissions reduction targets, and enhancing resource management across FirstRand's operations. Bolton's ongoing PhD research focuses on measuring financed emissions in banking portfolios, contributing to the group's climate risk management strategies. Her influence extends to her role on the PBAF Board, where she participates in developing guidance for financial institutions on biodiversity-related risks and opportunities, cementing her status as a key player in advancing sustainable finance practices globally.