World trail-blazers in green philosophy lined up for building congress

THIS is no ordinary year for the green building industry in South Africa – it heralds the once-off rallying of the largest international network influencing the green building marketplace, with 92 global councils under one roof.

Happening in Cape Town on October 16-18, the World Green Building Congress will be part of the Green Building Council o f South Afri c a ’ s a nnual convention.

Sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance the event has the theme “ReWire – connecting minds, building value”.

The line-up of speakers is designed to provide inspiration and insight into trends that are changing the way we think and do business and practical implementation to effect change on the ground, says Brian Wilkinson, chief executive of the Green Building Council of South Africa.

“Several eminent international and local thought leaders on sustainability and global green building trends have been confirmed as speakers. Experts from the US, Australia, England, Belgium and Africa will join local figures to provide two days of compelling speeches and facilitate robust discussions and thought-provoking conversations .”

Themes would include sustainable cities and transport, food security in urban areas,

Among the speakers are: Richard Fedrizzi, founding chairman of the US Green Building Council and chairman of the World GBC; Romilly Madew, chief executive of the Green Building Council of Australia – voted one of Australia’s top 100 most influential people in 2012; Gunter Pauli, entrepreneur, author and initiator of the Blue Economy concept; Cameron Sinclair, co-founder and chief executive of Architecture for Humanity, a non-profit initiative that brings the skills of architects and designers to those who would otherwise not be able to afford it, and coauthor of the best-selling book Design Like you Give a Damn.

Other speakers are Jason Drew, an entrepreneur, environmentalist and visionary who advocates for the sustainability revolution and shares his vision and blueprint for successful business in the 21st century; and Lewis Pugh, an ocean advocate, swimmer and explorer who was named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum for his potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership.

A South African addition to the programme is trend analyst Dion Chang, who uses a global perspective to source new ideas and identify cutting edge movements.

“This year’s programme is designed to strike a balance between inspiration and peerto- peer knowledge sharing,” says Wilkinson.

“I am particularly eager to hear Madew’s presentation on the findings of a study by the Green Building Council Australia, illustrating the economic and environmental benefits of green buildings as assessed over 10 years.

“Pauli is known for his Blue Economy concept – a plan to develop 100 manufacturing innovations with viable business models that could generate 100 million jobs in 10 years – all with zero emissions and no waste.

“Sinclair’s Architecture for Humanity uses design to allevi- ments; and reduce the footprint of the built environment.

“It was through Architecture for Humanity that the Football for Hope Centre was developed in Khayelitsha for Grassroots Soccer – a South African, non-profit organisation that uses football to teach young people about HIV/Aids and empower them with the knowledge to live HIV-free.

“Drew, businessman turned green warrior, is a tireless campaigner who engages on how to take business thinking, vision and action into the 21st century and adopt profitable, gamechanging solutions for the new business paradigms we face.”

Visit www.gbcsaconvention.org.za