“We’re delighted with this milestone - the Council only opened for formal membership at the end of May, so the support from the property industry has been tremendous,” says Bruce Kerswill, executive chairman of the GBCSA.
 
Nicola Douglas, CEO says that the GBCSA has a database of over 2000 interested individuals, and hopes that their companies will all join the Council.  She notes that members will enjoy a range of benefits including talks, social networking events, newsletters, access to case studies and information, as well as discounts to the GBCSA’s November conference, and on the rating of buildings using the newly released ‘Green Star SA’ rating tool.
 
But, more importantly, they will be supporting an organisation that will play a major role in combating global warming and climate change.
 
“Green building is an exciting field which results in healthier environments for users of buildings – giving it a very strong business case, as well as being one of the key areas in combating climate change.  And of course with South Africa’s emphasis on energy, it is particularly relevant here at the moment.”
 
“The GBCSA has had excellent support, with a number of companies signing up as ‘founder members’: ‘Platinum’ Founder Members (R500 000) are Old Mutual and Growthpoint, ‘Gold’ (R200 000) are WSP and ‘Silver’ (R100 000) are Amdec, Arup, Davis Langdon Africa, Otis and P D Naidoo & Associates.”  Kerswill notes that the GBCSA is in negotiations with many more companies who have undertaken to become sponsors. The GBCSA also received start up capital from SAPOA and the Spire Property group.  “This sponsorship has allowed us to get up and running and promote green building in the South African property industry,” explains Kerswill.
 
The GBCSA is an independent, non-profit organisation and is reliant on the funds raised through sponsorship and membership.  Its activities include developing the suite of Green Star rating tools, holding a range of events, training people in green building, and conducting assessments of buildings.
 
The Council’s biggest event will be a major conference on green building in November.  “It is going to be a stunning event – we have 12 of the world’s leading green building experts presenting a whole cross section of information on green building”, says Kerswill.
 
“We are extremely thankful to all our founding members, as well as our corporate members who are making all this possible and enabling us to implement our vision that ultimately “all buildings are designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable way”, he concludes.