ZIMBABWE must immediately implement-environment-friendly construction methods for future housing projects to fight climate change, a United Nations (UN) Habitat official indicated this week.
Vincent Kitio, Lead - Urban Energy Solutions at UN Habitat, said many of the housing stock required by Zimbabwe were yet to be built. He said as houses are built, they should address the threats of climate change.
Kitio said with worries over the effects of traditional buildings on climate escalating, measures to limit the carbon footprint were immediately required.
Energy generated from buildings make up 30% to 40% of carbon emissions, according to official statistics.
However, Kitio said the national housing backlog may be far higher than current estimates of between 1,5 million and two million.
“We have a 1,5 million official housing backlog in Zimbabwe,” Kitio said in an address to stakeholders during a workshop on green buildings certification organised by the Green Buildings Council of Zimbabwe.
“But the officials say the reality will be more (than the 1,5 million).”
Across Africa’s biggest cities, housing backlogs are also high, he said.
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UN Habitat data showed 60% of Africa’s urban population is living in informal settlements, and 75% of Africa’s housing requirements by the year 2050 are yet to be constructed.
“We realise that there is an estimated 160 million housing need (in Africa). We expect the urban population in Africa will reach 1,3 billion (in 2050),” he added.
UN Habitat and other organisations are capacitating Zimbabwean professionals to understand green buildings standards, including the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE).
It will give them the capacity to champion the green housing concept.
Kitio said Zimbabwe's construction industry should prioritise energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to achieve a sustainable future.
“The way we build our houses also influences the carbon footprint,” he said.
“As we fight climate change, we should start by rethinking about the way we design and build our houses and buildings. New buildings should be designed using passive building strategies and methods. In fact, green buildings are designed to make use of natural ventilation.
“The uses of renewable energy for basic energy needs like lighting and solar hot water systems are very important in green buildings. Since Zimbabwe is in a tropical zone, we must design houses that adapt to the local climate and use as much locally available material as possible,” Kitio added.
