As the custodian of state properties and the state’s construction programme, Department of Public Works (DPW) is the largest South African player in the property and construction fields. As such, it has the responsibility to set industry standards and to provide leadership, including in relation to the Green Building Programme.
DPW has taken decisive steps to ensure that the property and construction industries reduce their environmental impact through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating sustainable building practices.
As part of this, DPW has partnered with Indalo Yethu to develop the South African Eco-labelling Scheme (SANES) for the built environment, covering materials to be used in the property and construction industries. We are signing the agreement on 30 November 2011. We are doing this to ensure that the materials used in building are designed to minimise negative effects on climate change. The agreement also covers the demolition of buildings and disposal of waste materials.
As part of the Department’s Green Building Programme we seek to develop a uniquely South African, and eventually African, Green Building rating tool – which is in line with international best practices and also encourages innovative South African products which are sustainable and lead to the creation of green jobs. The Department of Public Works is committed to the principles underlying the Green Economy Accord. To this effect the Department is currently developing Policy on the Green Economy and the role of Public Works.
Over the last year, we have retrofitted 1000 public buildings with energy saving devices. A further 100 buildings have been fitted with water saving technology. Over the next year we plan to fundamentally rehabilitate 70 state buildings to comply with a Green Star Rating, including state of the art water and energy saving devices, intelligent lighting and air conditioning, solar technology and roof-top vegetation.
In regard to solar energy, we are determined to maximise our comparative advantage: Southern Africa is favoured by over 30% of the world’s best sunlight for solar power generation. It is one of the few regions where renewable solar energy can be harnessed over a full 12 month cycle. DPW will lead the South African construction and property industries towards a regulated Green Building dispensation – working with organisations such as SABS (SA Bureau of Standards) and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Early in 2012, we are working with CSIR (Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research) on a major study of international best practice in regard to Green Building policies and strategies. We are very clear as Public Works that we have to give leadership in relation to the property and construction industry, as we struggle as a society, and as humanity, to shift towards sustainable technologies and to stem environmental degradation and the wastage of the world’s resources.
Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi on the role of the Department of Public Works (DPW) in the Green Building Programme and the Greening of the Economy
