The Real Path to Net zero

South Africa's net zero journey is gaining momentum, but certification is only the first step. Actual progress demands lifecycle thinking, intelligent systems, and long-term value.

- Martin Smith

‘Net zero’ has become one of the defining terms of our era, but in the built environment, it signifies a challenge that is far more complex than it seems.

In South Africa, buildings can now be certified as net zero through the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). However, certification does not necessarily mean that a building has no environmental impact.

The initial phases of net zero certification mainly concentrate on operational performance and often depend on offsets to compensate for gaps. This indicates progress but is only the beginning. To truly decrease impact, we must consider the entire lifecycle, from material extraction and construction to operation, renovation, and eventual deconstruction.

Although new frameworks enhance our capacity to measure full lifecycle carbon, data gaps and scenario uncertainty continue to be significant obstacles.

As a global society, we are on a journey to reduce and eventually reverse the environmental impact of our activities. This change cannot happen overnight. It requires collaboration across borders, industries, and communities. Considering that the built environment accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, our sector plays a vital role.