Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Green Building Council of Zimbabwe (GBCZ) is developing a locally inspired rating and certification tool that will define what constitutes a green building in the country. This initiative aims to establish a robust framework for assessing and certifying buildings based on their environmental, social and economic performance — particularly in the face of climate change.
Speaking at the 2025 Zimbabwe Climate Change Sustainability Week and Green Business Expo held in Bulawayo, GBCZ chairperson Dr Mike Juru emphasised the significant environmental impact of buildings, noting that they account for 40 percent of global carbon emissions.
“Buildings play a vital role in people’s lives, yet they contribute 40 percent of carbon emissions, which drive climate change. According to UN Habitat research, by 2050, 75 percent of the buildings that will exist are yet to be constructed. Only 25 percent of the buildings that will be standing in 2050 have been built.
“To support this, Zimbabwe’s population stands at 16 million, with a median age of 19. This means that in 25 years, around 8 million people will be entering the housing market, seeking accommodation. As GBCZ, we are developing a rating and certification tool tailored to our local context. The climate in Australia, for example, differs significantly from Zimbabwe’s, so we need a system that reflects our own environmental realities,” he said.
Dr Juru acknowledged that construction activity will continue out of necessity, but stressed the importance of promoting buildings that, by design, construction, and operation, minimise environmental impact.
With over 25 years of experience in real estate and serving as CEO of Integrated Properties — an ISO-certified firm — Dr Juru underscored the urgency of reducing emissions through sustainable building practices.
“Green buildings offer energy and resource efficiency, which is essential for cutting emissions. They also play a crucial role in water conservation. As you may know, future global conflicts could revolve around access to fresh water. We are rapidly depleting our freshwater resources, and unless we adopt green building practices, we risk accelerating this crisis.
“Moreover, green buildings help reduce waste output. Waste fills up landfills, consuming space that could otherwise be used for agriculture. Embracing green building standards is a necessary step in tackling climate change,” he said.
Dr Juru also revealed that GBCZ is working with the Parliament of Zimbabwe to advocate for legislation that promotes and enforces green building standards. He believes this will help the country confront climate change and leave a legacy of sustainability for future generations.
“The GBCZ is a member of the World Green Building Council, which includes over 70 national councils globally. Our focus is on awareness, training and certification. Certifying buildings as green involves a structured process,” he said.
He acknowledged that not all buildings will meet green standards, but emphasised the importance of designing them to align with the criteria. The development of these standards and the certification process is key to ensuring Zimbabwe’s buildings contribute meaningfully to climate resilience.
“Green buildings will help create a sustainable built environment, which is essential for addressing climate change. They will also foster a green economy, which cannot exist without green building standards to support green jobs.”
Following Zimbabwe’s launch of a national carbon registry in May — the first of its kind — Dr Juru said that carbon credits can only be realised if there is a reliable green building rating tool in place to certify buildings as sustainable.
The Zimbabwe Carbon Registry (ZCR) is a secure and transparent system for recording and tracking carbon credits. It marks a significant step towards implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which enables countries to collaborate on reducing emissions through international carbon markets and non-market mechanisms.
