As the world grapples with the uncertainty surrounding the long-term implications of Covid-19, there is a measure of agreement on one thing - the global pandemic has fast-tracked numerous trends which were already emerging prior to the crisis. Says Anthony Stroebel, head of New Business Development for Pam Golding Properties and a director of the Green Building Council South … [Read more...]
Positioning South Africa for a green recovery
Following the devastating impact which the Covid-19 pandemic has had on South Africa and the world, governments, corporates, and citizens collaborate to focus on a green economic recovery. This is a result of the pandemic being inextricably intertwined with global environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, air and water pollution. The South African … [Read more...]
Growing green sectional title schemes
Rising utility costs, paired with competitively priced sustainable tools to supplement municipal electricity and water use, mean that sectional title schemes are becoming a more viable marketplace for the green building sector. While each scheme has unique characteristics, their expenses are often centred around meeting similar needs, namely: electricity and water use, … [Read more...]
UCT excels in environmental innovation at second Greenovate Awards
Young environmental visionaries from the University of Cape Town took first place in the Growthpoint Greenovate Awards for the second year running. The awards recognise innovative solutions for the property industry to environmental challenges. Now in its second year, the awards programme is an exciting initiative by Growthpoint Properties in association with the Green … [Read more...]
Green Building Council calls for total energy debate in SA
As the country receives Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's 2016 Budget Speech, the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has called for a total energy debate. Gordhan, who was recently re-appointed as Finance Minister by President Jacob Zuma, faces a difficult challenges: energy, restoring confidence in economic policy, keeping the nation from losing its … [Read more...]
Selling your property and the Invasive Species Regulations
Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) are widely considered as a major threat to biodiversity, human livehoods and economic development. IAPs cost South Africa tens of billions of rand annually in lost agricultural productivity and resources spent on management. On 1 August 2014, the Minister of Environmental Affairs published the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations (“the … [Read more...]
Developers move in on De Hoop land
The Western Cape provincial government, via its conservation arm, CapeNature, has concessioned off and privatised the tourism rights to some of the province's prime real estate - the Melkkamer farm complex at De Hoop Nature Reserve, the lodge at Koppie Alleen in the reserve, and two virgin 'greenfields' development sites at Koppie Alleen. Up for grabs in the … [Read more...]
