| Summary: | ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study determined the status, in 2012, of the implementation of Sustainable solutions (SS) to
commercial buildings in the City of Johannesburg. The term “going green” was seen as an
alternative approach to business, but demonstrated necessity in the property industry. As
greenhouse gas emissions drive the rising average global temperature at an alarming rate, the
business environment cannot only be aware of the impact that business industries have on the
livelihood of the growing population, but need to act promptly to ensure sustainability.
Environmental sustainability is an important topic in decision making for businesses in South Africa
and this study grouped renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) to create sustainable
solutions as the main concept of environmental sustainability. Renewable energy refers to finding
an energy source like the sun or wind, but the main focus is on the purpose of sustainability of the
energy resource and the supply. Eskom obtains 97% of their electricity for South Africa from coal
power plants, but the reality is that coal is a limited resource that will not be available indefinitely
unlike renewable energy. Energy efficiency on the other hand focuses on reducing the energy
requirements of commercial buildings. As this concept received sufficient attention in South Africa,
the present study was conducted to obtain further information to drive energy efficient practices.
With energy efficiency, making basic adjustments in the design of new buildings to use less
electricity can greatly contribute to their longevity and reduce the overall running costs that in turn
enhance the sustainability for organisations that own or manage properties. By gathering the
principals for renewable energy from natural resources and implementing energy efficient
practices, the concept of sustainable solutions was conceived. The implementation of sustainable
solutions also increases the value of properties, fosters economic enhancement, fosters socioeconomic
improvement and most importantly improves the environment by reducing carbon
emissions.
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