Hi All

After a fantastic 2008, we at the Green Building Council wish all our valued sponsors, members and associates well for a greener 2009!

There is no doubt this year will be a huge challenge - dire global economic forecasts, fear and uncertainty abound - yet the current climate underlines the need to do more with less and to be more efficient with the scarce resources at our disposal, and highlight the value of focusing on the sustainability of investments. Green building is the only intelligent way forward for our industry.

The GBCSA is geared up for another big year:

• the first Green Star SA rating tool for office buildings is live and we have already received project registrations – which will be the first project to achieve Green Star SA certification?
• plans are in motion for the development of additional tools and we are currently calling for tool sponsorship – see further info below,
• Green Star SA Accredited Professional courses are being rolled out in the major centers countrywide – see further details below,
• We look forward to the 2009 GBCSA Convention & Exhibition, which is scheduled for 21-23 October at the CTICC in Cape Town – the inaugural 2008 convention will be a tough act to follow but we are already compiling a fantastic program,

Mahatma Gandhi's words remind us all to "be the change you want to see in the world". This is an incredible powerful attitude for each individual but even more so if we embrace it as an industry - the property and construction industry can lead the fight against climate change and other environmental threats to our survival.

We look forward to your continued support and involvement this year as we look to grow into an effective industry voice and driver of change.

Kind regards,

Bruce Kerswill Executive Chairman	Nicola Douglas CEO

GBCSA Convention & Exhibition Sets a High Standard

The inaugural Green Building Council Convention & Exhibition, with its Principal Sponsor Nedbank Corporate, exceeded all expectations and was a resounding success. Held from 2-4 November 2008 at the CTICC in Cape Town, over 600 delegates and 70 exhibitors gathered to hear about the latest worldwide developments in green building and view a wide array of green products and services.

International and local speakers and delegates alike were overwhelming in their praise for quality of the event – from the plenary presentations to the exhibition, the opening cocktail party to the gala dinner...

Green Star SA Launched

At the first annual GBCSA Convention & Exhibition in November, the GBCSA was proud to officially launch our first green building rating tool for full usage. Green Star SA - Office v1 is now available in complete form and can be downloaded from the GBCSA website. The accompanying Technical Manual (providing extensive background as well as technical and documentation requirements) is available for purchase through the GBCSA website, or alternatively is included as part of the Green Star SA Accredited Professional course...

Green Star SA Accredited Professional Courses - New Dates!

The first Green Star South Africa (GSSA) courses were held in Cape Town in November, following the successful launch of the GSSA Office v1 Rating tool at the inaugural GBCSA Convention & Exhibition. Over 200 delegates attended the four courses, taking the first step towards becoming Green Star SA Accredited Professionals.

Due to the high demand, a second round of two courses was run in Johannesburg in early December for an additional 100 delegates.

The Green Building Council is now pleased to announce the dates for the next round of courses...

Call for Tool Sponsors

Having launched the first in the suite of Green Star SA environmental rating tools for buildings (Office v1), the GBCSA now turns it's tool development program to other building types.

General feedback to the Council seems to indicate that the following tools are most urgently sought by the industry:

• Existing Building Tool (Operations & Maintenance)
• Multi-Unit Residential
• Retail
• Hotel

The order in which future tools are developed will depend on market demand, which is gauged and demonstrated via the availability of tool sponsorship funding...

Membership Update

Thanks to all our members for your ongoing support! We value your enthusiasm and insight in supporting this industry driver of change. The Professional Services category remains the strongest supporter of the Council and constitutes 60% of the membership base with the Building Product Manufacturers being second largest group.

The GBCSA currently has 210 members with support increasing daily. We urge all property related companies with a commitment to green to support this initiative by registering as members and enjoy discounted rates on our Green Star SA Accredited Professional courses, technical manuals, seminars and of course this year’s GBCSA Convention and Exhibition.

Register online now.

Green Cities '09 Conference - Brisbane, Australia

The annual Green Cities Conference will take place from Sunday 1 March - Wednesday 4 March, 2009 in Brisbane, Australia. Jointly hosted by the Green Building Council of Australia and Property Council of Australia, Green Cities is Australia's pre-eminent annual green building conference and expo.

Since its inception Green Cities has grown rapidly, attracting over 1200 delegates from Australia, Asia Pacific and South Africa last year alone. The audience covers the breadth of the Australian property sector, attracting significant attention from owners, developers, tenants, government, architects and designers, engineers, project managers, builders, and product manufacturers. Green Cities 09 seeks to bring the latest thinking on green buildings in Australia and overseas to a market hungry for new and original ideas.

The conference aims to inform, challenge and inspire...

Download the conference brochure.