{"id":267942,"date":"2025-10-13T12:24:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T10:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/eikestadnuus\/?p=267942"},"modified":"2025-10-13T12:24:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T10:24:20","slug":"stellenbosch-university-a-green-trailblazer-among-sa-universities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/eikestadnuus\/stellenbosch-university-a-green-trailblazer-among-sa-universities\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellenbosch University a green trailblazer among SA universities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Stellenbosch University<\/a> (SU) achieved a groundbreaking sustainability milestone with the certification of the Extension Building at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)<\/a> as the first net zero carbon building on the university campus, and notably, the first of its kind at any South African university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis landmark achievement underscores SU\u2019s bold commitment to a sustainable future, aligning with its goal for all new buildings to achieve net zero carbon operations by 2030, and all existing facilities on all five its campuses by 2050,\u201d says Nadeem Gafieldien, SU\u2019s director for environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"At
At SUFM\u2019s 2025 Green Living Awards (from left) are Prof Nicola Smit (SU acting chief operating officer), Japie Engelbrecht (SU\u2019s director for planning and development at SUFM), STIAS director Prof Edward Kirumira (STIAS director) and Dannika Taylor (GBCSA and Imbue Sustainability) with the GBCSA net zero carbon certification award. Photo: Ray Cox<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ENERGY-SMART<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Designed with the planet in mind, the STIAS extension integrates a suite of innovative, energy-smart features \u2013 from strategic orientation and solar shading to natural lighting that minimises energy use. “At its core, a 46,8 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic system generates clean, renewable energy that offsets the building\u2019s operational consumption,\u201d says Japie Engelbrecht, SU\u2019s director for planning and development at Facilities Management (SUFM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gafieldien said the STIAS extension is a living example of what\u2019s possible when innovation and environmental responsibility converge. Its certification aligns SU with South Africa\u2019s national climate commitments and the C40 Cities global initiative, proving that sustainable, zero-carbon infrastructure is achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BENCHMARK SET<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At SUFM\u2019s 2025 Green Living Awards event on Thursday 2 October, STIAS director Prof Edward Kirumira and Engelbrecht accepted the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA)<\/a> net zero carbon certification award from Dannika Taylor, who represented the GBCSA and Imbue Sustainability. This company assisted the project management team in ensuring this certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith this achievement, SU cements its position as a leader in environmental stewardship and future-focused design, setting a new benchmark for higher education institutions across the continent,\u201d says Gafieldien.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stellenbosch University (SU) achieved a groundbreaking sustainability milestone with the certification of the Extension Building at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) as the first net zero carbon building 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SUFM\u2019s 2025 Green Living Awards (from left) are Prof Nicola Smit (SU acting chief operating officer), Japie Engelbrecht (SU\u2019s director for planning and development at SUFM), STIAS director Prof Edward Kirumira (STIAS director) and Dannika Taylor (GBCSA and Imbue Sustainability) with the GBCSA net zero carbon certification award. 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