True to its status as an environmental trendsetter, Proudly South African Nedbank has again excelled by achieving a four-star rating, signifying “international best practice in green building” for the second phase of its corporate head-office in Sandton – the first under the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBSA) rating system.

The environmental categories of Green Star South Africa according to which the Nedbank project was rated include management, indoor environmental quality, water, energy, transport, materials, emissions, land-use and ecology. 

The main elements that had contributed to Nedbank’s four-star rating included its energy efficient lighting system and overall energy efficiency which would ensure that the building achieves a 30% energy saving compared to a conventional building; the black water treatment system; the implementation of an efficient waste recycling system – both during the construction phase and when the building is put into use, and the full economy air-conditioning system.

Nedbank had earlier this year announced its commitment to become carbon neutral, and the latest accomplishment has again ensured that it asserts its status as South Africa’s “Green Bank”.