JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has reached 12 net-zero carbon certification projects across its South African office, logistics and industrial portfolio.

The company has highlighted that this milestone reflects its continued progress towards its long-term environmental and decarbonisation goals, and forms part of Growthpoint’s broader commitment to reaching net-zero certifications across 20 buildings by 2028, while supporting its ambition of carbon neutrality across its portfolio by 2050.

The Growthpoint property portfolio includes a mix of office developments and logistics and industrial facilities, many of which combine rooftop solar PV installations, energy-efficient building systems and detailed energy monitoring technologies to reduce reliance on grid electricity and improve operational performance.

Further, the logistics and industrial portfolio has proven a particularly strong contributor to Growthpoint’s net-zero carbon journey, with certifications achieved across assets including Monteer in Isando, Ebony in Meadowdale, Growthpoint Industrial Estate in Germiston, GIE Portions 1 & 2 of ERF 308 in Meadowdale, Meadowbrook Estate in Germiston, in Gauteng; as well as at Trade Park in Mount Edgecombe and 20 Rustic Close, in Durban North.

Several of these projects achieved substantial improvements in energy performance compared with typical industrial buildings as defined by Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), supported by extensive rooftop solar PV installations and operational efficiency interventions.

Monteer recorded a 79% improvement in energy performance, while Ebony achieved a 73% improvement and Growthpoint Industrial Estate recorded a 69% improvement.

Meadowbrook Estate is particularly notable for achieving its net-zero carbon certification with 0% offsets, demonstrating how highly efficient buildings paired with on-site renewable energy can significantly reduce operational carbon reliance, Growthpoint says.

“Reducing operational emissions across our portfolio is an important part of how we future-proof our business, support our customers and contribute to the transition to a lower-carbon built environment.

“These projects demonstrate that meaningful decarbonisation in the property sector requires a combination of energy efficiency, renewable-energy generation, data-driven operational management and long-term planning.

“Importantly, they also form part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on carbon offsets over time as cleaner energy becomes more accessible and scalable,” says Growthpoint Properties COO Engelbert Binedell.

To support the certifications, Growthpoint’s industrial portfolio also bought carbon credits from the Verra-registered Orizon CarbonCrop programme, marking the first credits procured from the initiative.

In several projects, renewable energy certificates (RECs) were also used to address emissions linked to electricity procured from the national grid.

Within the office portfolio, certified buildings in Gauteng include 144 Oxford in Rosebank; Exxaro Lakeside 2, in Centurion; and Inanda Greens Business Park, in Sandton. Certified office buildings in Cape Town include 33 Bree & 30 Waterkant and the Longkloof offices.

“The logistics and industrial sector present significant opportunities to improve energy performance at scale, particularly through solar PV deployment, operational optimisation and better energy visibility.

“As customer expectations evolve and energy resilience becomes increasingly important, these certifications demonstrate that industrial properties can achieve meaningful operational carbon reductions while continuing to support efficient logistics and distribution operations,” says Growthpoint logistics and industrial portfolio asset management head Jason Reeves.

Many of these buildings incorporate high-performance façades, efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, daylight harvesting technologies and rooftop solar PV systems designed to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort while reducing operational emissions.

At Exxaro Lakeside 2, strategic interventions contributed to a 50% improvement in energy performance compared with a typical office building, in accordance with the GBCSA definition, while Inanda Greens Business Park achieved a 71% improvement.

The company also highlights that the growing focus on sustainability among office occupiers is progressively shaping the future of premium office space.

“Customers are increasingly looking for cost-efficient workspace that supports both their operational and sustainability objectives.

“Net-zero carbon certifications are becoming an important part of demonstrating a building’s resource savings and associated cost savings, while creating resilient, future-focused office environments that combine energy performance, tenant wellbeing and long-term operational efficiency,” says Growthpoint office portfolio asset management head Timothy Irvine.

Growthpoint’s broader decarbonisation strategy includes increased focus on energy efficiency, rooftop solar expansion, renewable-energy wheeling and long-term renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) designed to reduce dependence on carbon-intensive electricity supply over time.

In 2023, Growthpoint signed a long-term PPA with green energy supplier Etana Energy that will wheel about 195 GWh/y of renewable electricity to selected properties across South Africa once fully implemented.

The initiative is expected to support a growing number of Growthpoint properties become eligible for future net-zero carbon certification while reducing reliance on offsets over time.

Growthpoint currently holds 141 green building certifications across its portfolio, emphasising the scale of its ongoing investment in sustainable property performance and operational resilience.

“As South Africa’s property sector continues to navigate energy insecurity, climate risk and evolving tenant expectations, Growthpoint’s expanding portfolio of net-zero carbon projects reinforces its position at the forefront of sustainable commercial property development and operations in the country,” Binedell concludes.