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Now certifying: EDGE for all building typologies, and into Africa

The GBCSA is proud to announce it has expanded its suite of green building rating tools, and is now licensed to award EDGE certification for all EDGE typologies in South Africa and, throughout the rest of Africa. 

This includes Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia, Kenya, Mauritius, Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco, Ethiopia, eSwatini, Lesotho and Mozambique.

The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has gained experience with the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) rating system as the only certifier of EDGE Homes for new residential developments in South Africa since 2015. The GBCSA will remain the sole certifier for EDGE Residential in South Africa and will now add further typologies to its offering. These typologies include: EDGE for Hospitality; Healthcare; Education; Offices and Retail.

The GBCSA looks forward to extending our trusted brand of service and high level of technical support to an array of exciting projects throughout Africa.

Professional Training & Development

Certification is backed by a strong training component, and the GBCSA is thrilled to offer our respected EDGE Expert and EDGE Auditor training, on-demand and online to delegates throughout Africa. The GBCSA Academy is ready and eager to welcome delegates from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia, Kenya, Mauritius, Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco, Ethiopia, eSwatini, Lesotho and Mozambique.

Becoming an accredited EDGE Expert or Auditor allows a person to boost their green building credentials and amplify their offering as a sustainability professional. Training prepares one for the EDGE online application and certification process.

It is recommended that projects targeting EDGE certification appoint an independent EDGE Expert to guide the development team from inception to execution and occupation and have an important role to play in EDGE certification and resource efficient projects. The EDGE Auditor (a mandatory requirement) reviews project documentation, verifies compliance with EDGE requirements, provides a rigorous check (audit) of the project submission, and recommends the project for assessment to the GBCSA.

The training incorporates introductions to the benefits of resource efficient buildings as related to built environment professionals, developers and financiers, suppliers and homeowners.

More about EDGE:

EDGE (or Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a green building design tool, certification system and global green standard developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank Group member. It is available freely online and can be used by anyone interested in greener design such as architects, engineers, developers, or buildings owners.

To achieve an EDGE rating, a minimum saving of 20% in energy, water and embodied energy in materials must be proven through initiatives implemented in the design phase and confirmed during construction.

EDGE is based on climatic conditions of the location, building type and occupant use, design and specifications and building orientation. Every projects unique base case is developed using empirical data from actual buildings reflecting current practice around the world. EDGE is operational in over 170 countries and includes a cloud-based platform to calculate the cost of going green and utility savings. The state-of-the-art engine has a sophisticated set of city-based climate and cost data, consumption patterns and algorithms for predicting the most accurate performance results.

Furthermore, EDGE is a response to the need for measurable and credible solutions to prove the business case for building green and unlock financial investment. To facilitate the uptake of green development across Africa, the IFC extends loan funding to commercial banks to finance sustainable EDGE-rated developments.

The GBCSA technical team is ready to assist with EDGE certification matters and the GBCSA Academy team is ready to assist with all your EDGE training requirements.

For more information and certification fee pricing for EDGE for Hospitality; Healthcare; Education; Offices; and Retail click here, and for EDGE Residential, click here. For more information of EDGE training offered by the GBCSA Academy, click here.

Individual Membership

Designed for professionals acting in their individual capacity, including single consultant-businesses.

Organisational Membership

Ideal for companies, government departments, and organisations.

  • Total Employees: 1 - 5 Employees - R 4080.00
  • Total Employees: 6 - 20 Employees - R 12570.00
  • Total Employees: 21 - 50 Employees - R 24690.00
  • Total Employees: 51 Plus Employees - R 43840.00

Lisa Reynolds

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director

Lisa Reynolds is the CEO of the Green Building Council South Africa.

Lisa was the driver for the drafting of Energy Efficiency Standards and Regulations for Buildings and has been involved in Energy Efficiency since 2003. She serves on many committees in the SABS and within the energy management professionals’ space. She was President of the SAEEC from 2016 to 2019 and was the previous President of the ESCo (Energy Services Companies) Association. Lisa was instrumental in the formation of SAFEE (Southern African Females in Energy Efficiency) within SAEEC.

She has assisted the South African Government with its Green Building Framework policies, Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives and Energy Efficiency Strategies

Her passion for the “Green space” started with the birth of the Green Building Council in 2007. Lisa served on the Board and the Technical Committee of the GBCSA, as well as on several Technical Working Groups for Rating Tools and Criteria. Lisa. became CEO in June 2020.

Lisa has a BSc, an MBA and a CEM. Lisa’s awards include the 2007 ETA Award for Women, 2008 Individual Energy (SAEE), 2012 SABS Standards Writer Award; the 2014 Women in Energy (SAWIEN); and the 2016 Ian Lane Hall of Fame award.

Lisa is committed to growing the Green Economy within a Green Recovery.

Organisational categories

As an organisational member, you will fall into one of the below categories, and be charged according to specific size indicators. Please reach out to us for any further clarity on which category is best for your organisation

Property Developers

Annual Turnover

Investors, Owners, Property Managers

Total Asset Value

Major Corporate Tenants & Retail

Annual Gross Rentals

Building Contractors

Annual Turnover

Building Product Manufacturers & Distributors

Annual Turnover

Professional Services: Architects, Designers, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, PM’s, Consultants, Legal

Number of employees

Research, Higher Education, NGO’S & Regulators

NGO or Research/Higher Education/ Regulators

Related Interests: Utilities, Financial, Insurance, etc.

Annual Turnover

Government

Local/ municipal/ provincial/ state 
Contact GBCSA to confirm your category