Zim gets WGBC accreditation
LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
Zimbabwe has been accredited by the World Green Building Council (WGBC) in a vote of confidence for its commitment to promote the realisation of the social development goals in the built environment.
The WGBC is the largest local-regional-global action network accelerating sustainability in the built environment.
It has member councils in over 70 countries worldwide, which collectively have 49,000 members, made up of 25,000 corporate members and 24,000 individual members respectively.
Green Building Council of Zimbabwe chairman Mike Juru this week told Business Times that his organisation got WGBC accreditation after ticking all the boxes and can now participate in global projects, world network meetings, and have access to local, regional and international development partners.
“The WGBC accreditation has put Zimbabwe on the world map, and we can now participate and exchange notes with fellow green build councils on an equal basis, as we build a sustainable world, together,” Juru said.
As part of its 2050 goals, the WGBC seeks to limit global temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius, reduce the building and construction sector’s CO2 emissions by 84 gigatonnes; and ensuring all buildings have net zero emissions.It says the goals will ensure the buildings and construction sector plays its part in delivering on the ambition of the Paris Agreement.
To achieve the WGBC goals, the Green Building Council of Zimbabwe will work with various stakeholders to provide the building and construction sector with green buildings standards, and to recognise and reward environmental leadership in the built environment.
Buildings account for 40% of annual global emissions.
Juru implored players in the real estate sector value chain which include the government, regulators, local authorities, investors, occupiers, managers, designers, contractors, manufacturers, and financiers to unite and proffer sustainable solutions that reduce carbon emissions in the built environment to mitigate against the negative impact of climate change on humanity.
The built environment is estimated to consume a global average of 30% of fresh water, and generates 30% of the world’s effluents.
Juru said there has been a proliferation of standards, rating, and certification programmes in the marketplace to help guide, demonstrate and document efforts to deliver sustainable, high-performance buildings.
The smart cities concept is one of Zimbabwe’s goals in line with vision 2030.
Juru said the introduction of consensus-based green building standards, developed through a formal, voluntary consensus process that is exemplified by an open and due process is an evidence based winning formula for the country.
As Zimbabwe embraces the green buildings revolution, Juru is optimistic that the anticipated consensus-based buy-in and immediate environmental gains of green building standards will put an indelible mark on Zimbabwe’s commitment to the realisation of the United Nations SDGs.
