Group Five achieves high rating for carbon disclosure

Promethium director Harmke Immink said that since 2000 the CDP has, on behalf of its signatory investors, encouraged the world's largest companies to measure and report their carbon emissions. "This year, CDP was backed by 551 institutional investors holding US$71-trillion in assets under management with questionnaires to the world's largest companies asking them to report on their carbon emission," said Immink.

"To address carbon reduction, Group Five implemented a total quality management culture that underpins every aspect of its operations and reinforces the centrality of sustainability," said Celia Becker, country risk director at Group Five. A 'green team' was established covering all operating divisions and is responsible for the identification of opportunities and risks resulting from climate change. In addition Group Five has commented on the Green Paper on Carbon Tax directly and was also invited to participate in the carbon tax impact study to be performed by Treasury.

Demand for green buildings are increasing

She said the demand for green buildings is on the increase, and internal procedures are continuously evolving to accommodate this. "Becoming a leader in green buildings and acquiring a stake in the associated products for green buildings will aid in Group Five's reputation of becoming a greener construction company, and result in actual emission reductions when implemented in construction projects."

Another strategic business decision was the creation of the project development team in the energy division, dedicated to renewable energy. The role of this team is to play a bigger role in the early stage development of potential projects.

Group Five is also a founding member of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). This council aims to lead the transformation of the South African property industry to ensure that all buildings are designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable way.