Greening the Construction Sector

This 2015 market intelligence report by GreenCape examines the transition toward energy efficiency and Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) within the South African construction sector, with a particular focus on the Western Cape. It details the regulatory drivers, market opportunities in public and private housing, and the role of the Atlantis greentech Special Economic Zone in fostering green manufacturing.

• The public sector in South Africa presents a significant opportunity for bulk insulation in housing subsidy programmes, with an estimated value exceeding R9 billion over the next five years.
• Energy efficiency in the construction sector is primarily driven by rising electricity costs, which increased by more than 200% since 2009, and mandatory legislation. SANS 10400 XA, which became legally active on 10 November 2011, sets minimum energy efficiency standards for all new and renovated buildings in South Africa.
• The Green Star SA rating programme has seen significant growth, with over 210 projects registered nationwide. The Western Cape accounts for 67 of these projects, primarily in multi-unit office developments.
• Lightweight steel frame building (LSFB) methods have grown extensively in both private and public sectors, replacing heavy masonry in commercial buildings and increasing in residential use due to cost and energy benefits. In 2013, LSFBs drove demand for 0.9 million m² of bulk insulation and 0.6 million m² of external cladding.
• The South African government has committed to using Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) for 60% of its new social infrastructure projects, including schools, clinics, and hospitals. This follows a 2012 pilot project that constructed 12 schools in the Eastern Cape.
• The Western Cape is positioning itself as a green economy hub through the establishment of a greentech Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Atlantis. Proposed incentives for investors in this zone include a 15% company tax and building allowance.

APA

GreenCape (2015). Greening the Construction Sector. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Market-Intelligence-Report-2015-Greening-the-Construction-Sector-3.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Greening the Construction Sector. 2015. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Market-Intelligence-Report-2015-Greening-the-Construction-Sector-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Greening the Construction Sector |date=2015 |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Market-Intelligence-Report-2015-Greening-the-Construction-Sector-3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencape2015greening, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Greening the Construction Sector}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2015}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape-Market-Intelligence-Report-2015-Greening-the-Construction-Sector-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }