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Sustainability Starts at Home

The GBCSA has started work on a green home rating system for existing residential homes in South Africa. The process has kicked off with information gathering and market assessment as we investigate the drivers and barriers, technical details and potential uptake of a system to encourage more sustainable living in South African households.

Supported by the GIZ and furthering the aims of the Department of Environmental Affairs, the team scoping the development of this system has been conducting focus groups across the country. Getting insight from homeowners and tenants as well as technical professionals working in the residential sector has been fascinating and fun, said Francois Retief from the Sow & Reap Consortium, which has been conducting the research on behalf of the GBCSA.

Focus groups have been held in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Polokwane and the next stop is Durban. Community conversations have also been held in Nyanga and Alexandra, with the next discussion scheduled for Cato Manor.

Addressing environmental impacts from existing residential buildings in operation presents the opportunity for much-needed social, environmental and economic sustainability benefits for everyday South Africans.

The objective of developing a green home rating system for households is to enhance resilience among homeowners and tenants. Encouraging efficiency of resources such as energy, water and waste minimisation can also result in lower operating costs and increased disposable income. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving health and wellbeing of occupants are some of the ambitious aims of this project.

The GBCSA currently offers certification to new homes through the Green Star SA Multi-Unit Residential rating tool and the EDGE Online rating tool. This initiative follows on from the My Green Home Challenge  and the subsequent SMARTHOME campaign launched by the GBCSA in 2018.

We would love to hear your comments, questions or ideas relating to this project, so email [email protected] to get in touch.

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