JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Redefine Properties has been awarded three new Net Zero Carbon Level 2: Building and Occupant Emissions (Measured) certifications by nonprofit the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).

The newly certified assets include Convention Tower, in Cape Town; and Alice Lane Phases 1, 2 and 3 and Ballyoaks Office Park, both located in Gauteng.

The milestone was commemorated with a plaque unveiling at Alice Lane on August 8.

These achievements are underpinned by, and evaluation process governed by, the GBCSA’s Net Zero Carbon framework.

The GBCSA’s Level 2 certification recognises buildings that maintain net-zero operational carbon emissions over a 12-month period. This is achieved through a combination of high-performance energy management, onsite or offsite renewable energy and, where necessary, verified carbon offset strategies.

The process is rigorous, requiring at least 12 months of measured energy data, verified carbon offset plans, and professional assessment against GBCSA criteria.

For each building, Redefine followed its natural pathway strategy, which entails an efficiency-first approach.

For example, Alice Lane has been designed to engender maximum natural light to enter, to optimises the use of the heating, ventilation and cooling system. Moreover, technology going into the building has also been designed around operational LED retrofitting, which is another measure that was undertaken, Redefine environmental, social and governance head Ursula Mpakanyane told Engineering News at the unveiling.

Properties were assessed in collaboration with Solid Green Consulting, which developed and executed carbon offset strategies aligned with Redefine’s sustainability-linked goals.

Mpakanyane emphasised the importance of this collaborative approach in achieving these certifications.

This milestone brings the number of net-zero carbon-certified buildings in Redefine’s South African portfolio to nine, which the company has highlighted as the most of any Reit in the country.

These additional accreditations follow the 2024 certifications for The Old Warehouse and The Terraces at Black River Park, and Commerce Square which achieved the country’s first Net Zero Carbon Level 2 Precinct certification.

Prior to that, 90 Rivonia, 2 Pybus and Rosebank Link all achieved their respective Net Zero Carbon Level 2 (Measured) certifications in 2023.

Redefine is committed to achieving full net-zero carbon performance across all new developments by 2030 and across all existing buildings by 2050.

These new certifications assist with the Reit’s goal of meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goal seven – affordable and clean energy; nine – industry, innovation and infrastructure; 11 – sustainable cities and communities; and 13 – climate action.

Mpakanyane pointed out that Alice Lane is part of a series of buildings in the Reit’s portfolio that will be bringing on board renewable energy in 2027, which bolster the efficiencies at the premises, as well as augment that work being done in terms of SDG seven.