Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has reached a milestone in its flagship environmental initiative, ‘Much More Than Trees’, planting and nurturing over one million trees since the programme’s launch in 2023.
The initiative, unveiled at AMREF International University in Northlands, Ruiru, is part of DTB’s broader commitment to achieve net‑zero operations by 2030.
The ceremony marking the achievement was presided over by Dr. Clement Ng’oriareng, Principal Senior Deputy Director of Forest Conservation and Management at the Kenya Forest Service.
DTB Group CEO Nasim Devji underscored the bank’s long‑term vision:
“Tree‑growing is key to sustainability, and we are keen on growing rather than just planting trees because the work does not stop when we put seedlings in the ground.”
Growing Trees, Growing Communities
The initiative goes beyond planting seedlings. DTB emphasises monitoring, nurturing, and growing trees to maturity, while delivering wider benefits such as:
- Community livelihoods through fruit and avocado tree planting with schools and mba.
- Environmental resilience by restoring biodiversity and increasing forest cover.
- Climate action through carbon reduction and long‑term sustainability.
So far, the bank has planted trees across schools, tertiary institutions, and community lands. Microforests in schools provide fruit for nutrition and practical learning, while avocado trees planted with KTDA farmers diversify income streams. All trees are monitored to ensure survival and resilience.
“These one million trees represent carbon reduction, community empowerment, biodiversity restoration, and hope. And we are only getting started,” Devji added.
UN Principles for Responsible Banking
According to DTB’s 2024 report, the bank became an official signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking, a single framework for a sustainable banking industry developed through collaboration between banks worldwide and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).
The Principles are the leading global framework ensuring that banks’ strategies align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. DTB’s franchises in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have all signed their commitment, demonstrating a unified East Africa‑wide dedication to responsible banking.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms Nasim Devji said:
“Signing the UN Principles for Responsible Banking is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and responsible banking. This commitment reflects our purpose to improve the quality of lives of all our stakeholders in a sustainable and impactful way and underscores our dedication to integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of our business. We are proud to be part of this global initiative and look forward to making meaningful progress towards a sustainable future.”
Under the Principles, DTB will identify and measure the environmental and social impact of its activities, set and implement targets where it has the most significant impact, and report publicly on progress.
By joining, DTB also becomes part of the world’s largest global banking community focused on sustainable finance, sharing best practices and pioneering tools to accelerate the transition to sustainable economies.
Looking Ahead
DTB aims to plant and grow 10 million trees by 2030, contributing to Kenya’s National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign and supporting the country’s ambitions to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
