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 Impact of Net Zero Carbon Building on the South African Property Sector
This situation brief explores the economic drivers and challenges to uptake of NZC within the South African property sector, focusing primarily on buildings developed for the market2 (which constitute the majority) (Sager & Hazell, 2020).
0.48MbDownloadBuilding Consensus for Net Zero Carbon Buildings in South African Cities
This Situation Brief outlines the Status Quo of achieving net zero carbon building targets in South Africa. It considers the importance of net zero carbon buildings, the positions of international and local organisations and the progress made towards net zero carbon buildings in South Africa. Finally, it identifies key gaps that must be dealt with in order to develop consensus on the pathway towards NZC Buildings in South Africa. (Gardner, 2020).
0.79MbDownloadBridging the gap. Using EDGE for deemed to satisfy and rational assessment for building code compliance
The primary purpose of this document is to investigate whether or not the EDGE tool can be used as a deemed to satisfy tool for SANS10400-XA (Solid Green, 2020).
4.69mbDownloadRoutes to Compliance note: Notes for Cities
The Net Zero Carbon Building Policy goal is to achieve a reduction in the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the built environment by reworking the way buildings are planned, designed and erected. This note can be used by Cities either an annex to the Policy or it is incorporated into the introduction (Pegasys, 2020).
0.1MbDownloadRoadmap to Net Zero Carbon Buildings for 2020-2030: Policy Update
This a Roadmap that presents the key activities required by the City to achieve net zero carbon buildings by 2030. The activities highlighted in the roadmap and the corresponding approaches are pragmatic, innovative, and flexible and will be adapted to the global and local context as well as to the evolving national and legal landscape, when and if required (Pegasys, 2020).
0.33MbDownloadNew Building Emissions Model
The model calculates electricity consumption and electricity-related emissions from buildings in the residential and commercial sectors for different policy scenarios (business as usual, SANS and local by-laws), based on information entered in the Inputs sheet (SEA, 2019).
3.19MbDownloadNet Zero Carbon Building Policy: Economic Impacts of Renewable Energy Component
This document provides supporting notes to the net zero carbon building policy with regards to the economic impacts of renewable energy (SEA, 2019).
1.21mbDownloadNet Zero Carbon Building Policy: Financial Implications for Property Developers
This document provides supporting notes to the net zero carbon building policy with regards to the financial impacations for property developers (SEA, 2019).
1.13MbDownloadCity Powers to Regulate Generation and Reticulation of Electricity: Scope for Bylaws
This report explores the question whether the inclusion of the term ‘building regulations in Schedule 4, Part B of the Constitution materially affects the national government’s power to regulate buildings and building standards and, to the extent that it does affect that power, does it give a power to regulate buildings to local government, i.e. municipalities? (Pegasys, 2018).
0.69MbDownloadCost model comparing ‘green’ and standard buildings
This Excel-based model provides cumulative discounted capital (construction and PV) and electricity costs for different building types (residential, office, retail, school) for standard buildings, energy efficient buildings and energy efficient buildings with rooftop PV. Various inputs can be adjusted to test the financial case for green buildings. (SEA, 2018)
975kbDownload