ENVIRONMENT
Third Annual Green Building Convention a great success
T
he Green Building Council of Namibia (GBCNA) held it’s third annual convention at Habitat Research and Development Centre in Windhoek dedicating to create a long termsolution to environmental initiatives within the construction sector. Council’s Chairman, Frederick Muketi says there has been significant improvement with this convention in comparison with the previous two. This time around the convention had more participants, more exhibitors, more content and more of local presentations as opposed to outsourcing speakers. The five-day event was divided into two, with the first three days being dedicated to training workshops on a range of themes including the Green Star building certification system. The last two days were dedicated to a conference and exhibition which were officially opened by, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Honorable Kornelia Shilunga The conference offered various presentations that included topics around mainstream green, green in the community, energy, green schools, green government and the value of green. Presenters included delegates from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Namibia Energy Institute (NEI), Young Africa, Nina Maritz Architects, Gachiku Kamau Architects, Seelenbinder Consulting Engineers, Xami Power Engineering, Emcon Group and Eco Awards among many others. In line with the water crisis, the convention addressed how sustainable building not only focuses on water use during construction but also consumption during occupation. The convention ended with tours of the notable green buildings of FNB and Emcon offices, the first six star rated building in Africa which has since received regional recognition for its green building standards. The Third Annual Green Building Convention coincided with the World Green Building Week which according to the World Green Building Council is a flagship event of the global green building movement led by its network of 74 Green Building Councils and their 27,000 member companies. The week raises awareness of green buildings around the world, highlighting how they are the most effective means to achieving a range of environmental, social and economic goals, from addressing climate change to creating sustainable homes, businesses and communities – better places for people to live, work and play. Construction Namibia December - January 2017
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