Vodacom scores green with new building

2011-10-25 15:06

Cape Town - A Vodacom building in Midrand has achieved an environment honour for being powered by renewable energy.

The Vodafone Innovation Centre achieved a 6-star Green Star SA and is the first building in South Africa to achieve this.

According to the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), a green building is a building which is energy efficient, resource efficient and environmentally responsible.  It incorporates design, construction and operational practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of development on the environment and occupants.

Corporate environment policy has been taking a more central role as companies try to minimise their costs and increase their brand value in consumers more concerned with impacts on the environment.

"Once completed, the centre will house a team of experts tasked with creating energy efficiency solutions that are expected to significantly reduce Vodafone's global emissions," the company said.

"6-star Green Star SA is equivalent to World Leadership - meaning that the Vodafone building puts South Africa firmly in line with global best practice in terms of green building - this is a fantastic achievement for Vodacom and Vodafone," said Bruce Kerswill, executive chair of the GBCSA.

The Vodafone Innovation Centre will be opened early in 2012.

"The Innovation Centre, as the hub of our creative thinking around a low-carbon future, will play a critical role in the reduction of carbon emissions across the group," said Pieter Uys, Vodacom CEO.

- News24