Australian body to help introduce sustainable construction ideas to African nation

South Africa is to introduce a green rating system for new buildings.

Plans for the voluntary Green Star SA rating system are still being finalised. It will be introduced to architects and property developers at a function in Cape Town in early November.

The environmental rating system has been based on a similar programme used in Australia, where the climate is similar to that of the African nation.

The concept of sustainable building is new to South Africa, and the Green Building Council of Australian has agreed to aid the local body in establishing a South African equivalent of the system.