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.
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The 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).
0.34MbDownloadFinancing Mechanisms and Approaches to Net Zero Carbon Buildings
This concept note explores a range of solutions to the financial feasibility challenges of the uptake of net zero carbon buildings comprising public policy interventions, business models, and financial mechanisms (Sager & Hazell, 2020).
0.5MbDownloadNew Buildings Programme Update and Planning Meeting – presentation
This presentation was presented to the South African New Buildings Programme Stakeholders to ensure all of them were aware of work underway and that key concepts are feeding into the different aspects of work (Sustainable Energy Africa, 2020).
1.25MbDownloadGetting to Zero: A Guide to Developing Net Zero Carbon Buildings in South Africa
The guide gives an overview of net-zero carbon buildings in South Africa and shows those shaping the built environment is possible. (ASHRAE, 2020)
2.97MbDownload