IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i12p5272-d1673941.html

An Investigation of the Adoption of Net-Zero Buildings (NZBs) in the South African Commercial Property Market

Author

Listed:
  • Sindisiwe Kalumba

    (Urban Real Estate Research Unit (URERU), Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

  • Hannah Volker

    (Urban Real Estate Research Unit (URERU), Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

  • Saul Nurick

    (Urban Real Estate Research Unit (URERU), Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

Abstract

This study investigates factors influencing net-zero building (NZB) adoption in the South African commercial property sector through a qualitative analysis of four case studies, with a net-zero carbon building focus. Findings indicate that while green building certifications have exceeded 1000 since 2009, NZB adoption remains limited (64 certifications as of 2024). Key barriers include retrofit cost premiums (20–30%), technical capacity gaps, and insufficient policy frameworks. Primary drivers comprise demonstrated energy efficiency gains (15–25% reductions), tenant demand for sustainable properties, and institutional support through certification programs. This research contributes an empirical model identifying transitional “Amber Zone” factors, including energy security concerns and renewable energy returns on investment, which mediate between barriers and drivers. Case evidence shows NZB implementation can be achieved within existing budgets through integrated design approaches. These findings provide a structured framework for understanding NZB adoption dynamics in emerging markets facing similar energy and sustainability challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Sindisiwe Kalumba & Hannah Volker & Saul Nurick, 2025. "An Investigation of the Adoption of Net-Zero Buildings (NZBs) in the South African Commercial Property Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5272-:d:1673941
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5272/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5272/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tianqi Liu & Lin Chen & Mingyu Yang & Malindu Sandanayake & Pengyun Miao & Yang Shi & Pow-Seng Yap, 2022. "Sustainability Considerations of Green Buildings: A Detailed Overview on Current Advancements and Future Considerations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Sanele Stungwa & Nyiko Worship Hlongwane & Olebogeng David Daw, 2022. "Consumption and Supply of Electricity on Economic Growth in South Africa: An Econometric Approach," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(1), pages 266-274.
    3. Hlongwane, Nyiko Worship & Daw, Olebogeng David, 2022. "Electricity consumption and population growth in South Africa: A panel approach," MPRA Paper 113828, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Feng, Wei & Zhang, Qianning & Ji, Hui & Wang, Ran & Zhou, Nan & Ye, Qing & Hao, Bin & Li, Yutong & Luo, Duo & Lau, Stephen Siu Yu, 2019. "A review of net zero energy buildings in hot and humid climates: Experience learned from 34 case study buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Walaa Mohamed Metwally, 2025. "Biomimicry and Green Architecture: Nature-Inspired Innovations for Sustainable Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Anna Magrini & Giorgia Lentini, 2020. "NZEB Analyses by Means of Dynamic Simulation and Experimental Monitoring in Mediterranean Climate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-25, September.
    3. Miguel Chen Austin & Katherine Chung-Camargo & Dafni Mora, 2021. "Review of Zero Energy Building Concept-Definition and Developments in Latin America: A Framework Definition for Application in Panama," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-30, September.
    4. Vivek Aggarwal & Chandan Swaroop Meena & Ashok Kumar & Tabish Alam & Anuj Kumar & Arijit Ghosh & Aritra Ghosh, 2020. "Potential and Future Prospects of Geothermal Energy in Space Conditioning of Buildings: India and Worldwide Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Abdul Ghani Olabi & Nabila Shehata & Hussein M. Maghrabie & Lobna A. Heikal & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem & Shek Mohammod Atiqure Rahman & Sheikh Khaleduzzaman Shah & Enas Taha Sayed, 2022. "Progress in Solar Thermal Systems and Their Role in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-31, December.
    6. Haleh Moghaddasi & Charles Culp & Jorge Vanegas & Mehrdad Ehsani, 2021. "Net Zero Energy Buildings: Variations, Clarifications, and Requirements in Response to the Paris Agreement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Joana Fernandes & Maria Catarina Santos & Rui Castro, 2021. "Introductory Review of Energy Efficiency in Buildings Retrofits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, December.
    8. Mottaghizadeh, Pegah & Jabbari, Faryar & Brouwer, Jack, 2022. "Integrated solid oxide fuel cell, solar PV, and battery storage system to achieve zero net energy residential nanogrid in California," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    9. repec:bcp:journl:v:7:y:2023:i:2:p:959-969 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Nyiko Worship Hlongwane & Olebogeng David Daw, 2023. "Renewable Electricity Consumption and Economic Growth: A Comparative Study of South Africa and Zimbabwe," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(3), pages 197-206, May.
    11. Zihan Zhang & Wanjiang Wang & Junkang Song & Zhe Wang & Weiyi Wang, 2022. "Multi-Objective Optimization of Ultra-Low Energy Consumption Buildings in Severely Cold Regions Considering Life Cycle Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    12. Nyiko Worship Hlongwane & Hlalefang Khobai, 2025. "The Impact of the Renewable Energy Transition on Economic Growth in BRICS Nations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-28, August.
    13. Zhang, Shicong & Wang, Ke & Xu, Wei & Iyer-Raniga, Usha & Athienitis, Andreas & Ge, Hua & Cho, Dong woo & Feng, Wei & Okumiya, Masaya & Yoon, Gyuyoung & Mazria, Edward & Lyu, Yanjie, 2021. "Policy recommendations for the zero energy building promotion towards carbon neutral in Asia-Pacific Region," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    14. Chen, Wei-Han & You, Fengqi, 2022. "Sustainable building climate control with renewable energy sources using nonlinear model predictive control," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    15. Calise, F. & Cappiello, F. & D'Agostino, D. & Vicidomini, M., 2021. "Heat metering for residential buildings: A novel approach through dynamic simulations for the calculation of energy and economic savings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    16. Shin, Dae Hwan & Seo, Jihyun & Jung, Dong Eun & Kim, Sumin & Kim, Hyungjun & Kim, Jonghun & Jeong, Hakgeun, 2025. "Carbon emission reduction scenarios in the building sector to achieve carbon neutrality in South Korea by 2050," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    17. Cevdet Emin Ekinci & Belkis Elyigit, 2025. "A New Method in Certification of Buildings: BCA Method and a Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-22, August.
    18. Pushpendra Kumar Chaturvedi & Nand Kumar & Ravita Lamba, 2024. "Finding the gaps in design strategies and technological advancements for net-zero energy buildings development in India," Energy & Environment, , vol. 35(7), pages 3880-3920, November.
    19. Fadye Al Fayad & Wahid Maref & Mohamed M. Awad, 2021. "Review of White Roofing Materials and Emerging Economies with Focus on Energy Performance Cost-Benefit, Maintenance, and Consumer Indifference," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, September.
    20. Wojciech Cieslik & Filip Szwajca & Jedrzej Zawartowski & Katarzyna Pietrzak & Slawomir Rosolski & Kamil Szkarlat & Michal Rutkowski, 2021. "Capabilities of Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) Electricity Generation to Charge Electric Vehicle (EV) Operating in Real Driving Conditions (RDC)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-22, November.
    21. Prin Boonkanit & Kridchai Suthiluck, 2023. "Developing a Decision-Making Support System for a Smart Construction and Demolition Waste Transition to a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-27, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5272-:d:1673941. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.