Green Building Council South Africa GBCSA

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Green Building Council South Africa GBCSA Transforming the built environment for people and planet to thrive.

The Green Building Council South Africa is one of 75 members of the World Green Building Council alongside Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. Founded in 2007, we are a dedicated team working in collaboration with industry bodies, leaders, government departments and professionals to develop market-based green building solutions for the transformation of the South African property industry. We are a member-based organisation whose core focus is green building certification and training. We advocate for all buildings to be designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable manner.

We’re turning 19! 🎉🌿Nineteen years ago, a group of people in South Africa had a big idea: that the buildings we live, wo...
12/10/2026

We’re turning 19! 🎉🌿

Nineteen years ago, a group of people in South Africa had a big idea: that the buildings we live, work and learn in could be healthier, smarter and kinder to the planet. Today, that idea has grown into 1,500+ certified projects across 12 African countries, 2,500+ accredited green building professionals, and a whole lot of cake-worthy moments in between.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey.

📢 Attention architects: GBCSA has been formally recognised by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession...
09/10/2026

📢 Attention architects: GBCSA has been formally recognised by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (We are SACAP) as a Voluntary Association (VA) 🙌

We are delighted that this strengthening of the relationship between the two organisations is opening up additional opportunities for architectural professionals to build their sustainability expertise through recognised continuing professional development (CPD).

The formalisation of the relationship between SACAP and GBCSA reflects a shared recognition that professional development must keep pace with the changing demands of the built environment. Through the new SACAP recognition, architectural professionals can access selected GBCSA Academy learning opportunities carrying Category 1 CPD recognition.

For architects, the recognition provides a practical link between professional development and one of the most important challenges facing the built environment: how to design, operate and transform buildings in a way that responds to environmental pressures while creating better places for people to live and work.

Learn more and discover which GBCSA Academy training offerings are also SACAP-recognised CPD opportunities: https://tinyurl.com/34dbzbyj

08/10/2026

The GBCSA team is looking forward to welcoming you at Green Building Convention 2026 with these amazing speakers: Elizabeth Wathuti, Sumayya Vally, Wandile Mthiyane, Lorne Sulcas "The Big Cat Guy", Prince Mashele, and John Vlismas as our thought-provoking host and MC.

Details here: www.gbcsaconvention.org.za

The Green Revolution needs more than new ideas. It needs diverse perspectives, bold voices and women who are willing to ...
08/10/2026

The Green Revolution needs more than new ideas. It needs diverse perspectives, bold voices and women who are willing to lead change.

As part of the 19th Green Building Convention 2026, the EDGE/IFC Women in Green Building initiative brings women from across the industry together to share experiences, challenge conventional thinking and explore how our perspectives can help shape a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive built environment.

This year’s conversation centers on “Your Perspective Matters” a reminder that the experiences, insights and leadership of women have an important role to play in driving the Green Revolution forward.

We’re pleased to welcome Prof Lee-Ann Modley, Professor of Environmental Management, Geography and Energy Studies at the University of Johannesburg, as our keynote speaker. With her expertise in sustainability, environmental management and water resources, Prof Modley will help open the conversation around the environmental challenges and opportunities shaping our future.

📅 Tuesday, 27 October 2026
⏰ 13h30–15h00
📍 Meeting Room 11 | Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town

Join us at the Green Building Convention 2026, together with EDGE Buildings and innovation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group) as we celebrate the perspectives, expertise and leadership of women contributing to a more sustainable built environment across Africa.​​​​​​

Green Revolution. Your perspective matters.

Have you ever looked at your office furniture and questioned its material transparency?Our recent Planet Shapers event i...
06/10/2026

Have you ever looked at your office furniture and questioned its material transparency?

Our recent Planet Shapers event in partnership with Formfunc Studio and Humanscale broadened the sustainability conversation to explore the spaces where people work.

Special guest speaker Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale, joined the event virtually and shared her presentation "From Intention to Impact: Creating Workspaces that Care for People and Planet.” The presentation explored the smallest details of sustainable production and material specification in office furniture, while highlighting the importance of material transparency and being mindful of the materials we choose.

Jane also shared some of Humanscale's innovative projects to advance circularity and sustainability in production, including a fascinating project to reclaim discarded fishing nets from fishermen. She also explained their goals to make production more climate positive through actions like renewable energy, using recycled content, and maintaining localised manufacturing to reduce carbon emissions.

This presentation was followed by a lively panel discussion, where attendees could ask questions to guest experts Cebisa Mafukuzela and Mlondolozi Hempe. Cebisa is the Sustainability Communications and Engagement Manager at Solid Green Consulting, while Mlo is a designer, sustainability consultant, and Director at PJC+Partners. Together, these brilliant professionals shared insights on the value of sustainable specification in materials, sustainable interiors, and the importance of going green beyond the façade to where occupants spend most of their time.

We thank all our attendees for their participation in this thought-provoking event as well as our incredible speakers for sharing their expertise. This topic certainly sparked a lot of interest so, keep watching our social channels or sign up to our newsletters because you definitely want to be at the exciting events we've got planned for 2027!

THE GREEN REVOLUTION IS ALSO A POLITICAL CONVERSATION.We’re pleased to announce that Prince Mashele, Executive Director ...
01/10/2026

THE GREEN REVOLUTION IS ALSO A POLITICAL CONVERSATION.

We’re pleased to announce that Prince Mashele, Executive Director of the Centre for Politics and Research, political commentator and author, will join the 19th Green Building Convention from 27–29 October 2026 at Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town.

South Africa’s transition towards a more sustainable built environment is taking place alongside important conversations about governance, infrastructure, energy, water, investment and public policy.

With his background in political science and political analysis, Prince Mashele brings a perspective that extends beyond the traditional built-environment conversation, examining the broader political and governance context in which development decisions are made.

The Green Revolution. Where the built environment meets the bigger picture.

📍 Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town
📅 27–29 October 2026

To commemorate the achievement of Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification, a GBCSA plaque handover ceremony was held at Cip...
30/09/2026

To commemorate the achievement of Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification, a GBCSA plaque handover ceremony was held at Cipla Medpro Manufacturing in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

This is a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility operated by Cipla and located in Durban. It produces over 1.2 billion tablets annually, supporting the supply of quality and affordable medicines to the South African market. The certification represents a significant milestone in operational waste management: achieving more than 90% waste diversion and Net Zero Waste certification at Level 2 – Operational Waste, without relying on purchased offsets.

Congratulations to the team behind this outstanding project!

Project owner: Cipla Africa
Accredited Professional: Green Gap Consulting - Chantal Motilall, Linus Naik
Waste Contractor: Interwaste

Read the full case study on this Net Zero project on the GBCSA Project Directory: www.gbcsa.org.za/project/1575/

25/09/2026

Zero waste, maximum laughs, John Vlismas returns as the MC for Green Building Convention 2026 😎

With his unique brand of comedy and profound insights as an academic and strategist, John is proof that great jokes, like green buildings, are built to last. He’ll be delivering a keynote presentation and facilitating some important conversations while building community, one pun at a time.

Be part of the Green Revolution and join us at a powerful gathering where 800+ professionals meet to share ideas, learn and collaborate to drive transformation in the built environment.

Event registration closes on 20 October: https://www.gbcsaconvention.org.za/
Make sure you’re there for concrete proof that comedy and construction do mix!

The future of the built environment isn't predetermined.We get to shape it.Through what we design. What we fund. What we...
25/09/2026

The future of the built environment isn't predetermined.

We get to shape it.

Through what we design. What we fund. What we regulate. What we specify. What we research. What we build. And what we decide is no longer good enough.

That's what The Green Revolution means to us.

At GBC2026, more than 800 people from across the built environment will come together in Cape Town.

And we don't expect everyone to agree.

We need architects in conversation with developers. Government with private capital. Researchers with practitioners. Engineers with investors. Established leaders with the people who will inherit the decisions we're making now.

Because the questions facing our industry are too important to leave to someone else.

Show up. Speak up. Shape what's next.

Be part of The Green Revolution.

GBC2026 | 27–29 October | Cape Town

Meet the winners of the 2026 Women in Green Building Competition ⭐Congratulations to Refiner Anene of Nigeria and Tshepi...
23/09/2026

Meet the winners of the 2026 Women in Green Building Competition ⭐

Congratulations to Refiner Anene of Nigeria and Tshepiso Kobile of South Africa, winners of this year's Women in Green Building Competition.

Their achievements reflect the changing face of the green building sector - where sustainability is increasingly being integrated into property, infrastructure, investment, finance and other professional disciplines.

Through the WIGB programme, participants have access to technical learning, EDGE training and engagement with industry experts, giving professionals the opportunity to build green expertise alongside their existing skills.

Refiner and Tshepiso exemplify the kind of multidisciplinary talent that will be needed to accelerate a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive built environment.
We look forward to welcoming them to the Green Building Convention in October, where they will be formally honoured.

Congratulations also to all the finalists and participants, and thank you to IFC, our faculty and programme partners for supporting the development of women and green skills across the sector.

EDGE Buildings

Address

Birkdale House, 1 River Park, Gloucester Road Mowbray
Cape Town
7700

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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