Fuchs Lubricants South Africa has received a Net Zero Carbon Level 2 certification for its head office in Isando, Gauteng. The rating was given by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).
The certification looks at how the building cuts carbon emissions. It covers efficient design, full electrification, energy monitoring and the use of renewable power.
Esther Seabi, sustainability director at Fuchs Lubricants South Africa, said the rating shows how sustainability can be built into normal business operations and building decisions. She said the company keeps looking for practical ways to lower its impact on the environment.
Managing director Paul Deppe said the recognition matches the goals of both the local business and the wider Fuchs Group. He said environmental issues are becoming more important in the industries the company serves.
The company marked the achievement with a plaque handover ceremony with the project team and the GBCSA. The head office is part of a larger site in Isando that also holds the company’s production plants.
Solid Green Consulting acted as the accredited professional on the project. Brundtland Consulting gave advice on carbon credits.
According to the report, the building uses high quality double glazing and passive design to keep energy use low. It also has smart fresh air ventilation that is meant to keep people comfortable while using less power.
The building runs fully on electricity, so no fossil fuel is burned in its main energy systems. This makes it possible to supply its power from renewable sources such as solar panels. A monitoring system tracks how much energy is used.
According to the GBCSA, its rating system has different levels that cover different types of emissions. Level 2 goes further than the base building. It also includes the energy used by the people working inside.
The council also separates modelled ratings, which are based on expected performance, from measured ratings, which use real energy data from the building.
In 2024, Fuchs Lubricants South Africa announced a power purchase deal with Solareff. The deal was meant to bring more renewable electricity to its warehouse, head office and factory.
At the time, the company said the deal was expected to raise renewable power from about 11% to 30% of its total electricity use. The report said no updated figures were given to show the current share.
The report also said office energy use is only one part of a manufacturer’s carbon footprint. Production, materials, transport and the use of products also add to emissions.
Fuchs has listed energy efficiency and renewable energy as priorities in its local investment plans. These plans include an expansion of its factory and warehouse.
The GBCSA has set a goal for all new buildings in South Africa to run at net zero carbon by 2030. It wants all existing buildings to reach the same goal by 2050.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Africa Sustainability Matters. Image: Africa Sustainability Matters. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.