"Green Star is a crucial first step in bringing an effective, industry-driven environmental initiative to SA," says GBCSA executive chairman Bruce Kerswill.
 
Modelled on rating systems in the UK, USA and Australia, Green Star SA is a voluntary environmental rating system that aims to transform the property market via industry initiative.
 
“It’s a holistic approach,” says Michelle Malanca, a specialist environmental consultant currently working with the GBCSA to get the rating system ready for its SA launch.
 
“It looks at key issues of energy and water, but includes factors like environmental air quality, transport and ecology.”
 
Green Star was originally developed for the Australian property market, which shares a similar climate with SA, and it evolved from the initial systems designed in the UK and the US. The advantage is that, as a second-generation tool, it draws from the original UK and US systems and builds on several years of experience in Australia and New Zealand.
 
“The benefit of Green Star SA is that it combines technical robustness with ease of use,” she adds.
 
A key element of the system is its rigorous certification process. Formal Green Star SA certification will not be awarded unless a project can prove every initiative it claims to have.
 
“International experience shows that certified green buildings are collecting higher rentals, enjoy stronger occupancy rates and perform better in terms of operating expenses,” explains Nicola Douglas, CEO of GBCSA.
 
“Tenants see the benefits quite clearly and some will not even consider a building that’s not green.”
 
The Green Star SA rating system will have different tools available for different property sectors, such as multi-unit residential buildings, shopping centres, public buildings and even hotels.
 
“In line with industry demand, the first phase will be targeted at office buildings,” she adds.
 
The GBCSA is itself only just over a year old and is an emerging member of the World Green Building Council.
 
Its mission, says Kerswill, is to promote the practice of green building, act as a resource centre for the industry, develop and operate a green building rating system and provide training and education to bring developers and investors quickly up to speed.