Four cities in South Africa – Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria expand the number of law-carbon cities in order to decrease impact on climate. The cities made it a point to made buildings more energy-efficient in order to reduce CO2 emission and energy prices.
In 2007 Green Building Council was organised in South Africa. Its aim is to make commercial immobility green. In particular, it carries out a programme «My green house» in terms of which energy-efficiency of houses is improved – incandescent lamps are replaced with LED lamps, showers are equipped with nozzles with lower water consumption, foods are equipped with solar panels. Moreover, local families are taught how to reduce consumption of energy.
Due to the programme «My green house» energy consumption of households has decreased over 90%.
South African cities cooperate with an international initiative on energy-efficiency Energy and Buildings at C40 Cities. The motto of the programme is «Ending climate change begins in the city». All the efforts are focused on helping the cities to rapidly improve the number of low-carbon buildings and to share the experience with other cities, that participate in the initiative. Buildings are the largest source of CO2 emissions in cities of C40 all over the world and they make up for a half of all carbon emissions.
«If we want to prevent negative consequences of climate changes, which may lead to disruptions with water supply in Cape Town, it is vital to reduce these emissions to zero until 2050,» – highlights Tim Pryce, Programme Director Energy and Buildings at C40 Cities.
Since 2009 Green Building Council of South Africa has issued certificates of conformity «Green Star» to 300 buildings. Energy-efficient buildings, that have waste management system and wellbeing spaces can receive this certificate.
According to C40, about 70% of all megapolis have already faced negative impacts of climate changes. More than 90% of cities are situated on the coast and are particularly vulnerable to floods because of the rising sea-level and severe storms.
The content is provided by Arina Dulepova, Head of Division of Energy Research in RSA, BRICS YEA
