Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter
A LOCAL property concern, Green Building Council Zimbabwe, is spearheading an initiative aimed at transforming Zimbabwe’s built environment to address the growing impacts of climate change.
In recent times, Zimbabwe has been experiencing severe effects of climate change, including devastating cyclones, most notably Cyclone Idai.
Recognising that the built environment contributes a significant 40 percent to global carbon emissions, prioritising legislative reforms is now considered key.
Green Building Council Zimbabwe chairman Dr Mike Juru said they will be having workshops for parliamentarians.
“The aim is to educate them on the profound impact of building practices on climate change and to advocate for the enactment of supportive laws,” said Dr Juru.
“The goal is to raise awareness about the impact of buildings on the climate and advocate for new legislation that supports sustainable development practices.”
This initiative, supported by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), will commence with the training of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment on May 9 in Harare.
This will be followed by a session for the Senate’s Thematic Committee on Climate Change at a date to be announced.
Dr Juru stresses the urgency of this intervention, referencing UN-Habitat research that indicates 75 percent of buildings expected by 2050 are yet to be constructed.
Without immediate legislative action, he added, the environmental impact will only worsen, considering Zimbabwe’s increasing population and housing demands.
The long-term vision extends beyond Parliament.
“Our plan also includes training local authorities and integrating climate change adaptation into educational curricula at all levels. Ultimately, the goal is a nationwide shift in mindset towards sustainable building practices,” he added.
Integrated Properties has over two decades of experience and is pushing for a transition to a green economy within the property sector.
Its advocacy, for example, is for policies that favour high-rise developments over land-intensive single-storey buildings to conserve land and mitigate environmental damage such as deforestation and sand poaching.
He asserts that reforming the legal framework governing the property sector is fundamental to national transformation and climate change mitigation.
Online Reporter