Industry Expertise at WORK

The Industry Advisory Panel brings together seasoned professionals whose expertise has been pivotal in shaping GBCSA’s Green Star V2 tool. In this follow-up, we chat with more of the sustainability leaders who are helping drive the evolution of tomorrow’s certification standards.

Updating the Green Star New Building and Major Refurbishments tool to version 2 (Green Star V2) has relied a great deal on the practical wisdom of industry specialists. To capture these perspectives, GBCSA convened the Industry Advisory Panel (IAP). This diverse group of practitioners, spanning finance, engineering and investment analysis, generously contributed their time to interrogate, debate and refine the 37 credits that form the backbone of the updated tool. We asked Eileen, Mark and Pieter which aspect of the V2 update excites them the most as an industry professional. (See issue 34 for Part I, in which we introduced some members of the IAP.)

The IAP members are:
• Mike Aldous – MPAMOT Consulting Engineers
• Jacques van Niekerk – Investec Private Bank
• Mischa Tessendorf – Attacq
• Blake Bowden – International Housing Solutions (IHS)
• Martin Smith – Zutari
• Nonelela Mtwana – formerly of Wesgro
• Pieter Engelbrecht – Growthpoint Properties
• Eileen Andrew – MSCI Real Estate, South Africa
• Mark Jacobs – Redefine Properties

Eileen Andrew

Vice President, MSCI Real Estate, South Africa
“It is great to see the links being made between green buildings and return on investment. There is no denying the body of growing evidence.”

Mark Jacobs

Regional Development Manager, Redefine Properties
“The simplification and alignment of the tool with standard building specifications that results in an optimal asset for property owners.”

Pieter Engelbrecht

Head of Development: Offices, Residential, Healthcare, Growthpoint Properties Limited
“What excites me most about the Version 2 GBCSA rating tool is its more holistic approach. Instead of looking at individual elements in isolation, it considers the entire ecosystem, from buildings and their performance to the broader environmental and social impacts. This shift encourages us as professionals to design and operate spaces that are not just efficient, but truly sustainable and regenerative. It’s exciting to see the tool move beyond compliance into inspiring innovation and collaboration across the industry.”