Well-known South African sustainability expert and editor of Bending the Curve, Robert Zipplies, has began on his "Climate Challenge 2009" - a month-long cycling journey on an electric bicycle, covering a total distance of 3000 km on the African continent. Along his journey, Robert will be giving public presentations in 12 major cities of South Africa with the aim to raise awareness and to challenge South Africans to reduce their personal carbon emissions, hence creating a low-carbon society.

Santam, a member of ClimateWise, is the lead sponsor of the event and sees Robert's journey as a good representation of the business journey which the company is embarking on. Called the Santam Ecocentric journey, it essentially entails positive actions that make business sense and at the same time protects the people and the environment, which are both vitally important to the company. Santam also sees this initiative as a great opportunity for its nationwide staff and business partners to learn about climate change and the risks which it holds for the insurance industry.

www.santam.co.za/