Sustainable Material selection to promote Energy Efficiency

International Conference on Sustainable Civil Engineering

June 20-21, 2016 Cape Town, South Africa

Songo Didiz

GreenCape, South Africa

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Civil Environ Eng

Abstract :

The global construction industry is currently being scrutinized in terms of both its contribution to global warning through its use of fossil fuel-based energy and its potential to reduce that contribution by switching to clean energy sources and energy efficiency. In South Africa this is no different. The South African construction industry is one of the greatest emitters of CO2 whilst also being energy intensive, especially the buildings sector. Added to this are energy security concerns (electricity shortages, rapid price increases) that the country is grappling with. However there is still increasing pressure for the SA government to increase its infrastructure spend for new clinics, education facilities. Despite the increasing need for the public sector to invest in new public infrastructure, governments have enormous leverage to stimulate and drive markets for sustainable production and consumption when they make a determined effort to purchase �green� products and services. It was for this need that we developed a Catalogue of Green Building Materials to assist the public sector make smart procurement decisions towards building materials. The catalogue comprises listing of cost effective green building technologies that are readily available on the South African market and is the first of its kind. It was published in 2014 and seeks to educate public sector procurement professionals on the benefits of green building materials.

Biography :

Email: songo@green-cape.co.za