Green Star V2 — What’s Changed for South African Buildings

What is Green Star SA?

Green Star SA is the national green building certification system administered by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). Since its launch, it has certified hundreds of commercial, retail, and residential projects across the country. This section will provide background on the rating system, its market adoption, and its role alongside SANS 10400-XA and other SA building performance standards.

Key Changes from V1 to V2

Green Star V2 represents a fundamental restructuring of the rating tool, not just an incremental update. This section will detail the major shifts, including the move from a prescriptive credit-by-credit approach to a more outcome-based framework, updated energy modelling requirements aligned with the National Building Regulations, and the introduction of carbon measurement as a core metric rather than an optional credit.

Updated credit categories

V2 reorganises the credit structure into nine categories. This subsection will compare the V1 and V2 category structures side by side, highlighting which credits have been merged, which are new, and where the point weightings have shifted — particularly the increased emphasis on energy, carbon, and climate resilience.

New requirements for existing buildings

One of the most significant changes in V2 is the enhanced pathway for existing building certification. This subsection will cover the new performance-based approach for Existing Building Performance (EBP) ratings, including the shift toward measured energy and water data rather than modelled predictions, and how this aligns with the DFFE mandatory reporting framework.

Transition Timeline and Deadlines

Date	Milestone	Impact
2025	Green Star V2 officially launched by GBCSA	V1 and V2 both accepted for new registrations
Mid-2026	V1 registration closes for new projects	All new project registrations must use V2
End 2026	V1 projects in progress must submit or convert	In-progress V1 projects given final submission window
2027	V2 becomes the sole active rating tool	All certifications assessed under V2 framework

What This Means for Already-Certified Buildings

Buildings holding a Green Star V1 certification do not lose their rating. However, this section will explain how recertification works under V2, what the timeline looks like for buildings approaching their certification renewal, and whether V1-certified buildings should proactively transition to V2 to maintain market relevance — particularly for GRESB reporting and investor due diligence.

V2 and Carbon Tax: The Connection

Green Star V2's new carbon measurement credits create a direct link between building certification and carbon tax liability under Phase 2 of the Carbon Tax Act. This section will explore how V2 certification can demonstrate compliance effort, reduce emissions (and therefore tax exposure), and serve as evidence for SARS environmental levy reporting.

"Green Star V2 is the first SA rating tool that explicitly connects building performance to carbon tax liability. That's not a coincidence — it's the market catching up to the regulatory reality."