“Nedbank’s position as a South African leader in terms of green building finance and occupation has delivered immeasurable benefits for the bank and its stakeholders, many of which involve areas of sustainability other than the environment,” said Ken Reynolds, Gauteng regional executive for Nedbank Corporate Property Finance. “Since September 2010, when Nedbank’s phase II head office building in Sandton was recognised by the Green Building Council of SA as the country’s first ‘as built’ Green Star rated building, we have steadily grown our involvement in, and commitment to, green buildings across SA, mainly because the numerous and significant benefits of green buildings have so quickly become apparent to us.”
Apart from the obvious positive environmental contribution green buildings could make in terms of energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions and lower utilisation of scarce natural resources, Mr Reynolds said Nedbank had experienced many other, often less obvious, benefits that made the case for green buildings even more compelling.
“It’s becoming evident to us that, when it comes to the potential for economic returns that can be unlocked for any business through a green building commitment, we’re really just scratching the surface in SA,” he said.
“But even so, it is widely accepted that a property built or retrofitted using truly green design principles, has the potential to deliver reduced operating costs of about 30% per year.”
According to him Nedbank has seen this level of annual operations cost saving delivered consistently by its phase 2 head office building and the majority of the other seven Green Star rated buildings the bank occupies, or those that it has financed over the past four years.
“When you consider that this level of saving means an organisation can effectively recoup the cost of green design and construction within three years, there is simply no viable argument that can be made against green buildings any longer,” he said.
Mr Reynolds was also quick to point out that the case for green building design and construction goes even further than the environmental and economic benefits this type of construction offers.
He said that the social and corporate sustainability advantages seen by Nedbank since it pioneered the first Green Star- rated building in SA are equally compelling.
“Not only do these green precincts create ideal natural environments in which employees can live, work and feel closer to nature, they also offer viable solutions to the densification, transport and security challenges that currently face many of South Africa’s local municipalities,” Mr Reynolds said.
It was not just Nedbank that had experienced the benefits of green buildings, he said.
The approach was delivering increasing commercial value for its property development clients as well.
“As retail, commercial and residential tenants become more environmentally aware, we are increasingly seeing that green buildings have the potential to deliver higher, more consistent revenues.
“And it is highly likely that, over time, these green properties will experience lower vacancy rates while potentially being able to levy higher rentals,” Mr Reynolds said.
A property built using truly green design principles, has the potential to deliver reduced operating costs of about 30%.
