Our Work
Our knowledge share and partnerships lay the critical foundations for the green economy
While our primary focus lies in certifying green buildings and projects, we are equally dedicated to fostering a culture of understanding and accessibility surrounding green technologies and practices. Beyond our certification initiatives, we engage in extensive research and advocate for policies that pave the way for a sustainable social ecosystem. In this ecosystem, government, businesses, and civil society unite as allies in the journey towards green building excellence.
Through deliberate and meaningful partnerships, we expand our knowledge base and extend the wealth of information about green techniques and technologies. We collaborate with technical experts, dedicated members, stakeholders, government bodies, and organisations that share our values and embrace our vision. Our role extends far beyond certification; we are change makers, empowering individuals and entities to make informed decisions, drive change, generate innovation and collectively contribute to a greener, more sustainable built environment.
Key Collaborative Partners
GIZ, Divercity, ARG, University of Pretoria, MSCI, Association of SA Quantity Surveyors, Carbon Trust, World Green Building Council
Our work
Key Impact Areas
We uphold the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the essential framework for global sustainability. These goals serve as a guiding thread interwoven into all our endeavours, with a particular focus on advocacy and knowledge generation.
Specifically, we collaborate extensively with:
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13: Climate action
However, the influence of green buildings extends far beyond, effectively supporting several other SDGs:
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 15: Life on Land
SDG 17: Partnerships and Goals
Learn more about the UN SDG’s and the built environment
We strive to shape a built environment that not only yields economic benefits but also contributes positively to society and the planet. Recognising the pivotal role of ESG factors in shaping sustainable, resilient, and socially responsible developments, we actively champion their integration. We work towards embedding ESG considerations into the decision-making processes of organisations in the property and construction sectors.
Our efforts encompass:
- Raising awareness
- Offering guidance
- Promoting the adoption of ESG principles, including environmental stewardship, social equity, and transparent governance
Explore our Knowledge Share
Explore our Partnerships
A circular economy is one where practices and products are designed to use resources as efficiently as possible, and convert non-productive outputs from one process to the inputs for another, a closed loop focused on maximising efficiency and eliminating excess.
At the forefront of sustainability, we champion the principles of a circular economy. In this transformative approach, our focus is on designing practices and products that optimise resource usage and seamlessly convert non-productive outputs into valuable inputs for other processes.
We are a leading advocate for promoting sustainable resource management practices within the built environment. For instance, our Net Zero building rating tool, linked here, actively endorses circular principles such as resource efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible material utilisation.
Learn more about the Circular Economy
Explore the Circular Built Environment Playbook
Advocacy and Partnerships
Unlocking change through collaborations
We actively collaborate with diverse stakeholders to foster a built environment that supports both people and the planet. Our advocacy efforts take various forms, from providing platforms for learning and knowledge sharing to offering training, technical solutions, and facilitating impactful conversations.
Public Sector Engagement
Through partnerships with government stakeholders at national, provincial, and local levels, we share our expertise, contribute to and help shape policies that create an enabling environment where green buildings are the standard.
Our support aligns with the Paris Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Just Transition framework, all critical for mitigating climate change and creating a sustainable, equitable future. Green buildings play a pivotal role in the just transition by developing essential skills and generating green jobs within the construction industry, a cause we champion through partnerships with government institutions.
Student Programmes
Young talents at tertiary institutions, in learnerships, or apprenticeship programmes represent the future of the green construction industry. GBCSA empowers students in their green journey through various avenues:
The GrowthPoint GBCSA Greenovate Student Awards
GBCSA Academy student programmes, which offer green skills development, specially tailored to students at tertiary institutions. Reach out to GBCSA Academy for more.
Our in-house research team supports students and academics at all levels, providing information and bridging research gaps in green construction, finance, and practices.
World GBC Africa Regional Network
GBCSA has played a pivotal role in the initiation of the Africa Manifesto, outlining essential actions required from policymakers and businesses throughout the continent to achieve our vision for Africa.
Other areas of impact
Education & training
Through GBCSA Academy we supporting professional development and skills development in green building.
Events
Throughout the year the we hold events which include the unmissable Annual Convention, monthly Planet Shaper and networking events, building tours and more.
+Impact Magazine
Explore the latest issue of GBCSA’s official publication that spotlights exciting projects, gives insight into key green topics and showcases green achievements and thinking.
Knowledge Share
Sharing knowledge to empower decision-makers
Good decisions rely on solid data. At GBCSA, our core value is to generate, advocate, and widely share high-quality data as broadly and accessibly as possible, fuelling informed choices that accelerate green transformations.
In our knowledge library you’ll find various forms of research available
- Research that GBCSA has facilitated or partnered in directly
- Research from other experts that we celebrate and promote
- Core resources from allied organisations like the World Green Building Council
All of it is relevant, insightful and exciting. We invite you to delve into our knowledge-sharing platform. If you can’t find particular topics, or wish to contribute, please contact our research team.
What sort of research will you find here?
- Green Finance Studies
- Directory of Certified Projects - View
- Academic and Student work around green innovations
- Targeted research reports and green construction resources
Current research initiatives
MSCA SA Green Annual Property Index
Financial performance of certified green buildings, year on year. Tracking the investment case for certified green buildings in the commercial property sector.
Access the report | Read more about the report
EPC Support for South African Buildings
A partnership with the Carbon Trust, supported by the UK PACT Programme.
We're empowering South African building owners and SMEs to implement Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), a crucial step towards achieving net-zero goals for existing buildings.
Read more
The Cost of Green Report
Revealing the declining costs of constructing green buildings efficiently. This report is a collaboration with the University of Pretoria and the ASAQS.
Access the report
