DON ROBERTSON

SOUTH Africa is establishing a green building council to encourage property owners, developers, the government and research institutions to adopt international standards.

The Green Building Council of SA, which was established in September last year, already has an active board and is in the process of appointing technical committees and staff.

Serving on the board are representatives from companies and institutions such as Tongaat, Old Mutual, Sapoa, Woolworths, the SA Institute of Architects and Nedbank.

Bruce Kerswill, executive chairman of the council, says that about 300 corporate groups have approached the council and many more have expressed an interest in its work.

A green building uses energy saving devices and incorporates other environmentally friendly aspects. “Green building is a new approach to building development that is sweeping the world, and SA is lagging,” says Kerswill.

The council will adopt the Australian Greenstar rating system for assessing green buildings. Ideally, all new developments could be considered for a green building rating, whereas existing buildings could be converted to a green status.

A six-star building could use about 50% less energy than an ordinary building.

Source: Business Times