Green buildings construction standards set for revamp

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CONSULTATIONS for new regulatory standards for the construction of new green buildings in the country have commenced and are being spearheaded by the government in partnership with the Green Building Council of Zimbabwe.
The United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is also providing technical support for the programme.
The existing model building by-laws in Zimbabwe are out of date and do not adequately address issues of the environment, pollution, and well-being.
Due to a lack of mandatory building standards, the increase in urban sprawl has seen the development of infrastructure that is not environmentally responsible and sustainable in the country.

Addressing stakeholders attending an inception workshop to commence consultations for Green Building Standard Development in Harare this week, ministry of Housing and Social Amenities chief director estates development and maintenance, Kudzai Rimai, said standards for green buildings were overdue.
“We welcome the important role being played by CTCN in offering such technical support, which will ensure that as Zimbabwe we have standards to ensure environmental practices in the construction industry.
“We are committed to working with them to come up with standards to promote sustainable and livable communities by having buildings that are energy efficient and resilient, additionally promoting resource conservation and enhancing health among other things.”
Rimai said that Zimbabwe was ranked among countries most affected by climate change as witnessed by extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, flash floods, and tropical cyclones.
To address some of the climate change challenges, Rimai said the five-year economic blueprint, National Development Strategy 1, identified environmental protection, housing delivery, and infrastructure and utilities.
“These key priorities are key to inform and guide us as we work on developing green building standards. However, it’s critical to note that the country is constrained to meet the targets set out in these NDS1 priorities to fully implement sustainable building practices and adopt environmentally friendly technologies responding to climate change requirements.
“Therefore, the need to develop sustainable practices is urgent, and to scale up green building practices in the country, effective building standards are required,” he said.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), buildings constitute one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions which result in climate change in their operation life cycle (construction, operation and decommissioning).
For Zimbabwe to meet its climate goals (Paris Agreement; carbon emission reduction target of up to 33 percent by 2030) there is a need to develop low emission development strategies for the building sector.
Speaking at the workshop, Green Buildings Council of Zimbabwe chairperson, Mike Juru, said the intended outcome of the meeting was to develop and implement a minimum compliance tool for buildings.
“The target is to develop and implement a communication plan that is documented, assessment of building groups and regulations, and diagnosis of technological needs as well as the development of green building standards.”
Green buildings are described as buildings that are designed to use less water, optimise energy efficiency, conserve natural resources, generate less waste, and provide healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to conventional buildings.
The Green Building Council of Zimbabwe seeks to lead the transformation of Zimbabwe’s built environment ensuring that buildings are designed, built, and operated in an environmentally sustainable way to mitigate the impact of climate change since buildings are one of the main contributors to climate change.
The workshop was attended by the government and particularly the ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality, ministry of Local Government, Housing Development, and delivery is mandated to the ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, Zera, Zinwa, property investors, engineers, architects, valuers, developers, estate agents, quantity surveyors and contractors who are involved in the supply chain of property and have a role to play in shaping the built landscape.
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