Marsh Environmental Services launches branch in Botswana

Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser, has announced the launch of its Marsh Environmental Services (MES) division in Botswana. MES is an environmental, health and safety consultancy to government, business and industry, and is committed to enhancing profitability through pro-active environmental-focused risk management.

MES provides Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s), legal compliance audits, project management, technical and legal solutions generation and review, as well as strategic environmental management for an extensive array of clients ranging from large mining companies, oil and energy multinationals, to developers and environmental affairs government departments and parastatals.

MES Botswana was launched officially at Marsh’s offices in Gaborone on 26 May at a reception addressed by Mr M Chakalisa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Wildlife and Tourism.

In his address, Mr Chakalisa highlighted legislation relating to environmental and natural resources management in Botswana, and recognised the important role private sector advisers can have in ensuring companies meet their obligations.

Mr Chakalisa welcomed the launch of MES, saying: “In Botswana, we are faced with a number of environmental challenges such as water shortage, pollution due to industrial activities, energy management, waste management, chemicals and hazardous substances management, and depletion of natural resources. Companies such as Marsh, through its Marsh Environmental Services division, are welcome in Botswana to assist the businesses and industries address these challenges.”

Speaking at the launch, James Brice, Senior Vice President and Managing Executive of MES Africa said: “Companies should see environmental compliance as not just a legal requirement, but an opportunity to manage risk successfully for their business. Proactively tackling environmental issues such as pollution can have long-term financial benefits for companies. As global standards for environmental impact tighten, companies that can show they have strong track record will be in a better position to foreign investment and achieve local authorisation for their expansion projects.”

MES are bringing to Botswana a wealth of global expertise, with local insight.  Their comprehensive services include environmental impact assessments, legal compliance (environmental and health and safety), assessment of contaminated sites, waste management, development and auditing of management systems as per International Standards such ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and OHSAS 18001, sustainability reporting, as well as negotiation and placement of environmental insurance products and services.

Mr Brice added: “At Marsh Environmental Services, we can not only assist our clients with designing their environmental and social programs, but also how to manage these liabilities and assets in terms of their balance sheet and cash flow, thus enabling them to demonstrate to their managers and shareholders not only improved corporate governance, but also solid financial management.”

Overseeing the local issues of the new division under Marsh Botswana MD, Aiden Rose, will be Pedro Kgobe, Country Manager for MES in Botswana. Mr Kgobe is a trained auditor in quality, environmental and occupational health and safety ISO management systems as well as a trainer in management systems.

MES will operate within Marsh (Pty) Ltd Botswana.