Making an Impact
GBCSA APPOINTMENTS
Executive Director, GBCSA
Head of Technical Georgina Smit has been appointed Executive Director of the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). She has been an integral part of GBCSA’s growth, bringing invaluable expertise to the GBCSA team, members and partners.
For the past year, Georgie Chennells has shared her marketing and communications prowess with the team on a part-time basis. Georgie has now officially been appointed as the GBCSA’s new Head of Market Engagement.
Congratulations, Georgina and Georgie!
Head of Market Engagement, GBCSA
GBCSA Online Training
Workshop 1–20 March: Understanding the application of EPC Standards for Buildings
Workshop 2–30 April: Understanding the EPC Inspection Body Accreditation Process
These Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) workshops will provide property owners and managers with the knowledge, processes and calculations to successfully measure the energy performance of buildings, in compliance with South Africa’s EPC regulations.
The workshops are ideal for public and private-sector building owners, and facilities managers responsible for data collection required for EPC auditing purposes.
Book now to secure your spot! www.gbcsa.org.za/train/
Green Star Sustainable Precincts Accredited Professional (AP) Programme
Sign up for the Green Star Sustainable Precincts AP training course ahead of the compulsory online workshop coming up in April.
Online modules: 10 modules for self-paced learning (GBCSA Academy e-learning platform)
Webinar: 24 April, 09h00-15h00 (Zoom) – unpack the application of the tool and case studies
Final assignment: validate your new skills and knowledge and become a certified Green Star AP.
For more, email training@gbcsa.org.za
NEW GBCSA MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY
“Green is for everyone,” maintains CEO Lisa Reynolds. In keeping with GBCSA’s commitment to this philosophy, a new, cost-effective “entry-level” membership category for small businesses has been introduced. This means companies with an annual turnover of less than R5 million – such as building contractors, product manufacturers and distributors – qualify.
A boost for affordable housing
The majority of South Africa’s affordable housing is located at the urban periphery, far from economic opportunities and essential amenities. South African investment platform Divercity is dedicated to affordable rental housing with supporting amenities in high-density and centrally located urban precincts.
French development finance institution Proparco and 27four, a South African investment manager, have led a R550 million investment in Divercity Urban Property Group alongside reinvestment from its existing shareholders. Through this investment, Proparco and 27four will boost the affordable rental offering in South Africa, which has been identified as a key priority by the government, given the severe housing shortage. Divercity aims to develop over 2 500 new apartments.
Principal at Proparco, Gregor Quiniou, said: “Beyond the support to regenerate South African cities, this project also gives Proparco an opportunity to support energy-efficient building programmes targeting EDGE certification. It aims to achieve several development goals (including SDGs 5, 8, 11, 13) through job creation and combating gender inequality by providing safe and best-in-class accommodation for tenants.” www.proparco.fr/en; www.27four.com; www.divercity.co.za
A Net Positive Result
Environmental responsibility has become a high priority for mines, having been tasked with ensuring that their operations are sustainable and kinder to the environment.
Vedanta Zinc International, owner of Black Mountain Mining (BMM), appointed sustainability specialist consultants from WSP in Africa to assist in its ambitious goal of achieving a Net Zero Carbon Level 2 (Measured) rating for BMM’s White Office complex (see page 18).
“The first step towards achieving Net Zero in the offices was to install a metering system and gain an understanding of how much energy was being used by the office and residential units. This enabled us to calculate the benefit of the solar installation,” says Alison Groves, Regional Director of WSP in Africa.
Next was the installation of a 99kW ground-mounted Photovoltaic Solar (PV) system, tied to the grid without a battery backup. “Because there is no battery storage installed as part of the PV system, the sizing of PV installation was designed to exceed the annual energy demand of the office complex. As the energy is not stored, the system is designed to continue to generate electricity, over and above the needs of the office,” says Groves. “This generated an opportunity to continue to serve the community in which it operates, by feeding the balance of the renewable energy to the nearby residences and create an energy bank of sorts.”
The success of the project not only enabled BMM to meet its goals, but also showed just how attainable the Green Star Net Zero rating is for committed mines.
www.vedanta-zincinternational.com; www.wsp.com
