NET ZERO BUILDINGS
A net zero carbon building is a highly energy-efficient building, with the remaining energy requirements generated from renewable energy, preferably on-site, but it can be off-site if necessary. There should be zero net carbon emissions on a yearly basis. Four of South Africa’s major metros are implementing policies that require all new buildings to be net zero carbon from 2030. Net zero carbon buildings can result in quality housing, local economic development and establishing conditions for grid-interactive buildings of the future.
Net Zero Buildings


A net zero carbon building is a highly energy-efficient building, with the remaining energy requirements generated from renewable energy, preferably on-site, but it can be off-site if necessary. There should be zero net carbon emissions on a yearly basis. Four of South Africa’s major metros are implementing policies that require all new buildings to be net zero carbon from 2030. Net zero carbon buildings can result in quality housing, local economic development and establishing conditions for grid-interactive buildings of the future.
Click here to visit the Smart Buildings web hub a resource portal to guide the development of smarter and greener buildings in cities.
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Amended Regulations for Energy Performance Certificates
The DMRE has extended the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) deadline to 7 December 2025. The amended regulations apply to both public and private buildings. The extension allows buildings owners more
121KBDownloadSANEDI Energy Performance Certificate Guideline
SANEDI has developed a quick reference EPC guide to assist municipal accounting officers and private sector building owners to navigate the EPC space. The informative guide provides steps to attain
6 MBDownloadA System Cost Analysis of Embedded Generation vs Utility-Scale Solar PV
South Africa’s latest integrated resource plan describes a rapid solar photovoltaic (PV) build programme, with 7 gigawatts of new capacity being built by 2030. Virtually all of this capacity will
0.3MBDownloadThe South Africa Buildings Programme
This document shares knowledge on the South African Buildings Programme.
6MBDownloadTomorrow Cities
This thought-provoking video describes the state of South Africa’s cities including energy, transport and housing, and the impacts of climate change (SEA and SEED 2010).
42mbDownloadC40 South African Buildings Programme City data
C40 South African Buildings Programme City data indicating population indicators and emissions data (2021).
12kbDownloadThe South African Buildings Programme
This document shares the experiences of the four South African cities that are part of the South African Buildings Programme. The aim of the South Africa Buildings Programme is is
6 mbDownloadBuilding Policy Alignment
South Africa New Buildings Programme – Building Policy Alignment (Sustainable Energy Africa, 2020).
1.04Mb)DownloadState of Energy in South African Cities 2020
This 4th edition of the Report features 20 of South Africa’s most energy intensive cities and towns and tracks energy use in cities since 2007, presenting emerging trends in energy efficiency and renewable energy uptake, and examines the governance of transition. (SEA, 2020).
20.42mbDownloadSummary report on net zero pathway for cities
CSIR comments regarding the net zero carbon pathway for the SA C40 cities. This analysis was performed as part of the work done by the CSIR in support of the City of Tshwane updating of the Green Building Development Policy and By-law and is not a final report but a reflection of work in progress (CSIR, 2020).
0.34MbDownload