Champions of Sustainability recognised with GBCSA Leadership Awards 2024

The 2024 Green Building Leadership Awards were presented to an inspiring group of sustainability champions at the Gala Dinner during the Green Building Council South Africa’s (GBCSA) 17th Green Building Convention, held at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.

These awards celebrate outstanding contributions to sustainability in the built environment, with a special focus on fostering a climate-positive future.

• Green Building Leadership Awards: GBCSA's 2024 awards celebrated leaders in sustainability, showcasing their commitment to a Climate Positive future at the 17th Green Building Convention.
• Exponential Growth in Green Certifications: Green building certifications have surged, with over 1,260 certifications to date, demonstrating growing demand for sustainable construction practices.
• Affordability of Green Building: The "green premium" is lower than expected, making sustainable building choices more accessible and achievable for both developers and homeowners.

The event gathered key players in the industry under the theme Zero+: Net Zero Today, Climate Positive Tomorrow, a fitting message of collective action in the face of climate change. Lisa Reynolds, CEO of GBCSA, highlighted the importance of the awardees’ dedication to creating a future where sustainability is at the forefront of property development.

Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate: Winner of “Transforming Tomorrow”

Among the most notable winners was the Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate, which took home the prestigious Transforming Tomorrow award for its groundbreaking work in asset design. Developed by Similan Properties, Newinbosch was recognised for its innovative approach to sustainability, both in design and operational performance. The estate’s integration of green building practices, along with its commitment to a climate-positive future, sets a new benchmark for developments in South Africa.

The award was presented to Harold Spies of Similan Properties and Andre Harms of Ecolution Consulting, an accredited professional company that supported the project. Newinbosch exemplifies how sustainable design can be seamlessly woven into residential development, providing a blueprint for future projects in the country. With a strong focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, and reduced carbon footprint, Newinbosch is a model of how the property sector can contribute to the global push for Net Zero.

Other Key Award Winners

Other notable awardees included Mellissa Titus from Independent Quality Assurers, who won the Rising Green Star award for her exceptional commitment to advancing sustainability within the built environment. Titus has been instrumental in guiding projects to Green Star certification and promoting sustainable building practices across various sectors.

Additionally, Redefine Properties received recognition in the Transforming Tomorrow category for existing operational performance projects. Their continued efforts to retrofit and enhance the sustainability of their portfolio of existing buildings have made a significant impact on reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency across their portfolio.

Growing Demand for Green Certifications

During the opening plenary, GBCSA’s Head of Technical, Georgina Smit, highlighted the exponential growth in green building practices over the past decade. With over 1,260 certifications awarded to date, the demand for Green Star, EDGE, and Net Zero certifications is stronger than ever, reflecting an increasing commitment across the industry to address the climate crisis.

Smit also addressed the misconception of a "green premium," noting that the cost of sustainable buildings has steadily decreased, making green choices more accessible to developers and homeowners alike. This trend is critical in making sustainability achievable for all sectors of the property market, from luxury developments to affordable housing.

The 2024 Green Building Leadership Awards not only highlighted exceptional achievements in sustainable development but also underscored the growing momentum in South Africa towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Projects like Newinbosch and the ongoing work of companies like Similan Properties and Redefine prove that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, paving the way for a climate-positive tomorrow.

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