South Africa to launch pioneering ‘green building’ law
From November, all new buildings in South Africa will be green buildings, as new energy efficiency building regulations come in to effect.
From November, all new buildings in South Africa will be green buildings, as new energy efficiency building regulations come in to effect.
Under new legislation, construction companies will have to adhere to strict practices in the design and construction of new builds to create energy efficient, resource efficient and environmentally responsible structures. The regulations will apply to all buildings in which people either live or work, including social housing, office buildings, schools and hospitals. An inspection of the newly completed building will then be carried out by local authorities to ensure construction companies meet the standards.
The standards will include the installation of solar water heaters, insulation to minimise heating in winter and cooling in summer, energy-efficient heating, fitted air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems. 
The new regulations are defined in the South African Bureau of Standard’s SANS 10400 XA standard, and will be enforced under terms outlined in the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, according to MC South Africa. “There are no exceptions,” said chair of the working group that developed the standards, Lisa Reynolds.
A higher standard, SANS 204, will remain optional as the extensive planning, materials and overall cost are as it stands impractical. However, Reynolds explains that this is a standard that South Africa will aspire to in the future. “It is the standard the country will be working towards over the next eight to 10 years,” she told MC South Africa.
In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, the initiative is also expected to generate thousands of jobs, as part of the governments’ goal of creating 5 million jobs by 2020. Rob Davies, South Africa’s Trade and Industry Minister, stated recently that the whole of the country will benefit form the standard. Davies highlighted the major boost the program will give to the installation services industry, with the production of installation of over 1 million solar water heaters by 2015. “If we achieve this, we expect to create around 18 000 jobs,” Davies said.
Energy-efficient design however, is not something new in South Africa. According to the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) the country has experienced a surge in Green Star SA certified buildings, a merit based on the Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star rating system. Just a year ago only one building with this accolade existed in South Africa. Since then as many as nine have been granted the official certification. One building gaining particular recognition was the new regional head offices of Nedbank in Pretoria, which the GBSCA granted a 4-star rating. Nedbank now boasts a total of three buildings that have achieved the rating, with the Pretoria offices joining developments in Johannesburg and Durban.
Image 01: Copyright © Katherine & West 2011
Image 02: Cachogaray | Wikimedia Commons
Image 03: Nedbank
