The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has awarded 5-Star Existing Building Performance (EPB) certifications to two buildings at Vodacom South Africa’s headquarters (HQ) in Midrand, Johannesburg.
These buildings, namely Vodacom’s Business Park and Corporate Park, both part of the HQ campus, have demonstrated excellence in sustainable building operations and management, earning this prestigious recognition. The achievement reflects Vodacom’s commitment to responsible business practices over an extended period.
Image sourced from SABC News.
Key factors considered by the GBCSA in awarding the certification include resource efficiency, particularly in energy, water, and waste management. Vodacom has also implemented green cleaning principles, indoor air quality management, and gathered occupancy feedback as part of its sustainability initiatives.
Sitho Mdlalose, CEO of Vodacom South Africa, emphasized the organization’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint, stating, “Organizations need to start taking decarbonization goals seriously if we hope to slow the effects of global warming.” He expressed pride in the company’s efforts, underscoring the importance of both significant initiatives and smaller changes in achieving sustainability goals.
Lisa Reynolds, CEO of GBCSA, commended Vodacom’s sustainability journey, highlighting the alignment between their low-carbon vision and the attainment of these certifications. She expressed anticipation for future collaborations between GBCSA and Vodacom.
Vodacom’s commitment to sustainability extends further with recent installations of an onsite solar farm and an electric vehicle charging station for customers and staff. These initiatives underscore Vodacom’s dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Mdlalose emphasized the eco-village’s role in providing resources for green choices and announced plans to transition 20% of Vodacom’s fleet to electric vehicles by 2030, further contributing to a net-zero future.
The completion of a 6.2MW solar panel installation at the 25-year-old campus is a significant milestone in Vodacom’s sustainable energy management strategy. This installation is expected to generate approximately 10.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean power annually, reducing the headquarters’ reliance on coal-generated electricity and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by around 11,000 tons annually.
Mdlalose concluded by expressing Vodacom’s commitment to creating a better future and encouraging other organizations to invest actively in sustainability efforts.
“We passionately believe in creating a better future for the communities we serve. We hope that we can lead by example, encouraging other organizations to actively invest in a future where good business and doing good are synonymous,” concludes Mdlalose.